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.
Sé pa djen djen
Kassav' Lyrics
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Sé pa lapenn nou pété tèt nou han hé
Doudou, nou ni an chans fok nou pwofité
Ni an lo moun ki pa jen konnet lanmou
Sé pa selman ko dan ko, sé tet-la ki enpotan
Gadé ki jan i ka ba nou bon lafos han han
Pou nou pé wè douvan nou
Kan nou ka dékolé tjè nou toujou ansam menm
Fo pa douté doudou lanmou ké ba nou an mèyè dèmen
Si mwen ka di'w sa sé paskè mwen ja wè
Lanmou-a nou planté a ich nou ki ké rékolté'y
Papa yo, manman yo lé yo ansanm han han
Sa pé mé té yo dwèt, ékilib-la sé vré sa ké sèvi yo ho hé han han
Tjenbé (tjenbé), an nou tjenbé
Pou dèmen pé pli klè
Lanmou sé pa djendjen
Sé pa djendjen
Réfléchi avan'w chwazi
Désizion nou sé li ka fè chimen ich nou
Ho...
Si zot fè sa, zot ké wè si sa pé ké chanjé ayayayayay
Frè mwen sé mwen, mwen ka mandé réfleksyon, réfleksyon
Hein ah
Si mwen ka di'w sa, sé paskè mwen ja réfléchi
Djendjen sé pa djendjen, pa pran'y pou djendjen
Lanmou sé pa djendjen, lanmou sé pa djendjen
Si mwen ka di'w sa sé paskè mwen ja réfléchi
Djendjen sé pa djendjen, pa pran'y pou djendjen
Pa pran'y pou djendjen, pa pran'y pou djendjen
Si mwen ka di'w sa, sé paskè mwen ja réfléchi
Djendjen sé pa djendjen, pa pran'y pou djendjen
Sé pa pawol anlè, sé pa pawol anlè, mé sé pawol antiè,
Piti ké vini gran pou demen pé pli klè
Lanmou ka fè lafos, "l'union" pa menm palé
Pa rété la kon sa, pas tan a ka filé
Rouvé zié lévé tèt, pa kité douvan pran'w
Oh baby
Piti ké vini gran pou demen pé pli klè
Lanmou ka fè lafos, "l'union" pa menm palé
Demen pé pli klè
Pa rété la kon sa, pas tan a ka filé
Rouvé zié lévé tèt, pa kité douvan pran'w
The song "Se Pa Djen Djen" by Kassav is a catchy Afro-Caribbean tune that explores the theme of love and relationships in a unique way. The song starts by saying that it's not worth getting worked up over trivial things and that we should take advantage of the chances we have when it comes to love. The lyrics go on to say that there are people who don't know what love is, and that love is not just about physical attraction, but also about what's inside one's head. The chorus asserts that love is not a game, and we need to think carefully before making any decisions.
Throughout the song, Kassav emphasizes that love and relationships require effort and commitment. It's not something that we should take for granted, but rather something we should cherish and nurture. Love is not something that can be forced, but rather something that can grow naturally when both individuals are ready and willing to put in the work. The song urges listeners to take a step back and think before making any rash decisions regarding love.
Overall, "Se Pa Djen Djen" is a fun, upbeat song with a powerful message about love and relationships. It reminds us that love is not something to be taken lightly, but rather something that requires patience, commitment, and hard work to flourish.
Line by Line Meaning
Hé hé hé
An expression of excitement and anticipation.
Sé pa lapenn nou pété tèt nou han hé
It's not worth it for us to lose our minds over trivial matters.
Doudou, nou ni an chans fok nou pwofité
My love, we have an opportunity and we must take advantage of it.
Ni an lo moun ki pa jen konnet lanmou
There are people who don't know what love is.
Sé pa selman ko dan ko, sé tet-la ki enpotan
Love is not just physical, it's also mental.
Gadé ki jan i ka ba nou bon lafos han han
Look at how love can bring us happiness.
Pou nou pé wè douvan nou
So that we can see what's ahead of us.
Kan nou ka dékolé tjè nou toujou ansam menm
When we take off, we're always together.
Menm lè nou lwen yo ka bat menm jan han han
Even when we're apart, we're still connected.
Fo pa douté doudou lanmou ké ba nou an mèyè dèmen
Don't doubt my love, it will give us a better tomorrow.
Si mwen ka di'w sa sé paskè mwen ja wè
If I'm telling you this it's because I've seen it myself.
Lanmou-a nou planté a ich nou ki ké rékolté'y
The love we've planted here is what we will reap.
Papa yo, manman yo lé yo ansanm han han
Our parents want us to be together.
Sa pé mé té yo dwèt, ékilib-la sé vré sa ké sèvi yo ho hé han han
This may seem like they're meddling, but this balance will truly help us.
Tjenbé (tjenbé), an nou tjenbé
Hold on, let's hold on.
Pou dèmen pé pli klè
So that tomorrow is clearer.
Lanmou sé pa djendjen
Love is not a joke.
Sé pa djendjen
It's not a joke.
Réfléchi avan'w chwazi
Think before you choose.
Désizion nou sé li ka fè chimen ich nou
Our decision is what will shape our path.
Si zot fè sa, zot ké wè si sa pé ké chanjé ayayayayay
If you do that, you'll see if things can change.
Frè mwen sé mwen, mwen ka mandé réfleksyon, réfleksyon
My brother, it's me asking for reflection.
Hein ah
An exclamation of agreement or recognition.
Djendjen sé pa djendjen, pa pran'y pou djendjen
It's not a joke, don't take it like one.
Lanmou sé pa djendjen, lanmou sé pa djendjen
Love is not a joke, love is not a joke.
Pa pran'y pou djendjen, pa pran'y pou djendjen
Don't take it like a joke, don't take it like a joke.
Sé pa pawol anlè, sé pa pawol anlè, mé sé pawol antiè,
It's not just words, it's complete words,
Piti ké vini gran pou demen pé pli klè
The little ones will grow up to make tomorrow clearer.
Lanmou ka fè lafos, "l'union" pa menm palé
Love brings happiness, but unity is not always talked about.
Pa rété la kon sa, pas tan a ka filé
Don't stay like this, time is passing by.
Rouvé zié lévé tèt, pa kité douvan pran'w
Open your eyes, raise your head, don't let the future pass you by.
Oh baby
An affectionate term to one's partner.
Contributed by Lucas L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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on Mwen di ou awa
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