Kassav' (Haitian and Antillean Creole for a local dish made from cassava) i… Read Full Bio ↴Kassav' (Haitian and Antillean Creole for a local dish made from cassava) is a Francophone zouk band which was formed in 1979. The core members of the band are Jocelyne Beroard, Jacob Desvarieux, Jean-Philippe Marthely, Patrick St. Eloi, Jean-Claude Naimro, Claude Vamur and Georges Decimus (who left the band to create another band, Volte Face, before returning to Kassav' later) along with several other, more minor members. The total number of albums by the band and its members is approximately 30.

Kassav' was formed in 1979 by Pierre-Edouard Décimus, a long-time professional musician who worked with Freddy Marshall. Together, the two of them decided to take carnival music and make it a more modern and polished style. It was the leading band to emerge from the formative years of Zouk. They gave the style a pan-Caribbean sound by taking elements from kompa, salsa, and calypso, and became world famous. Their first album, Love and Ka Dance (1980), established the sound of zouk.

Kassav' continued to grow more popular, both as a group and with several members' solo careers, finally peaking in 1985 with Yélélé, which featured the international hit "Zouk la sé sèl médikaman nou ni" (meaning "Zouk is our only drug" in French Antillean Creole) With this hit, zouk rapidly became a widespread dance craze in Latin America and the Caribbean, and was popular in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Zouk performers became known for wildly theatrical concerts featuring special effects spectacles and colorful costumes.

Kon 2 Timoun
Kassav' Lyrics

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Mesi
Pou tousa w'fè mwen dékouvè
E sa pokô fini
Tjè-mwen ja ka tranblé
Si janmen ou pati
Sa ja rivé mwen pè
Telman nou bien ansanm

Menm si Lè'w di mwen w'enmen mwen
Man pa réponn aven
Ou menm imajiné
Ki sa pa touché mwen
Bondjé selman ki sav
Ki manniè ma té yé jou tala

Menm si
Mon pu janmen sonjé
Ki apé tousa tan
Tjé-nou té ké jwenn
E vibré an menm tan
Nou la kon dé ti moun
Ka dékouvè lanmou
E sa bel

Pou sa w'ban mwen
Ou kléré mwen
Ban mwen tandres
Ab vini fô

Ma fè'w lapenn
Ou sipoté

An pran konsians
An vini Bran

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kassav's song Kon 2 Timoun (Like Two Children) speak about gratitude and deep connection in a relationship. The first verse expresses gratitude for the other person's presence in the singer's life and how it has caused their heart to tremble. The fear of losing that person has taken hold, and the singer acknowledges how much they mean to each other.

The second verse touches on the idea that even if the other person were to say "I love you" to the singer, they might not respond. The singer knows that the only one who truly understands the depth of their relationship is God. The two people in the relationship have found a love so pure and innocent that it is like two children discovering love for the first time.

The chorus expresses the singer's need for tenderness, to be comforted and loved, and how the other person brings clarity and understanding to their life. In the final line, the singer promises to improve themselves and become better for their partner.

In summary, Kon 2 Timoun is an ode to a deep, pure and innocent love that exists between the two people. The singers express gratitude for one another and how each person brings clarity and understanding to their life. This song speaks to the emotional connection found in a relationship that is not solely based on physical attraction.

Line by Line Meaning

Mesi
Expressing gratitude

Pou tousa w'fè mwen dékouvè
Thanking someone for helping discover something new

E sa pokô fini
Endlessly discovering new things

Tjè-mwen ja ka tranblé
Feeling overwhelmed with emotion

Si janmen ou pati
Feeling anxious at the possibility of the person leaving

Sa ja rivé mwen pè
Feeling fearful of the unknown

Telman nou bien ansanm
Appreciating the closeness and connection with the person

Menm si Lè'w di mwen w'enmen mwen
Acknowledging that the person loves them

Man pa réponn aven
Not responding to the person's love

Ou menm imajiné
Wondering if the person realizes their lack of response

Ki sa pa touché mwen
Feeling emotionally unaffected by the love expressed