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.
Vlopéw Adan
Kassav' Lyrics
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Kè-an mwen kon on tanbouyé
I ka bat on toumblack chiré
Vin, vlopé an bra an mwen
An navigé sig ran lanmè
An brave loraj é zéklè
Pou vou ayen pa fè mwen pè
OO vin vlopé'w an bra-an mwen
Mé mwen ka santi an vlé tjenbé'w
Vin, vlopé an bra an mwen
OO vin vlopé'w an bra-an mwen
Mwen ké sa kenbé' é protéjé'w
Vin, vlopé an bra an mwen
Pouki ou vlé fè mwen atann
Ou sav jan kè-an mwen ka fann
E vi doudou, sé' menm ki lanmou
Pouki ou ka fè mwen atann
Godé kado an ka poté pou vou... o, doudou
vini an bra-an mwen
Mwen enmé' ! Mwen enmé'v ! Mwen enmé'w !
Mé sé sa ou di!
Mwen enmé' ! Mwen enmé'v ! Mwen enmé'w !
Men fok ou atann
Mwen enmé' ! Mwen enmé'v ! Mwen enmé'w !
Mé sé sa ou di !
Mwen enmé' ! Mwen enmé'v ! Mwen enmé'w !
Vlopé'y adan
Vlopé'y adan
Chak fwa zyé-an nou ka kwazé
Mwen kon tanbouyé
I ka bat on toumblack chiré
Ka limen difé
Oswè-la ti chou Lanmou ké vwe jou
Vlopé'w an bra-mwen son palé
An ké sa tjenbé'w
An péké fé wol Vlopé'y
Pu fè mwen atann Vlopé'y
An ti lapli si tol
Koumansé désann
An péké fè wol
Pa fé mwen atann
Vlopé'y adan
Vlopé'y adan
Dé tjè-an nou kon tanbouyé
The song "Vlopéw Adan" by Kassav' is a passionate expression of desire and longing for someone. The lyrics portray the singer as being deeply in love and needing the other person to come and comfort them. The opening lines describe how the singer's eyes are downcast and their heart is beating like a drum. They invite the other person to come and wrap their arms around them, to provide solace from the storms of life, and to help them navigate the rough waters of the sea.
The chorus is a powerful plea for the other person to come and hold the singer close. They repeat the refrain "Vin, vlopé an bra an mwen" (Come, wrap your arms around me) several times, emphasizing the urgency of their need. The singer expresses their deep affection for the other person, declaring "Mwen enmé'w" (I love you) repeatedly.
The song also features a call-and-response section where the singer interacts with the other musicians in the band. This section demonstrates the synergy and musical artistry of the group. Overall, "Vlopéw Adan" is a beautiful and evocative love song that showcases the talent and creativity of Kassav'.
Line by Line Meaning
Chak fwa zyé-an nou fasadé
Every time we make eye contact, our attraction becomes apparent
Kè-an mwen kon on tanbouyé
My heart beats like a drum
I ka bat on toumblack chiré
It beats rhythmically like an African drum
Vin, vlopé an bra an mwen
Come, wrap your arms around me
An navigé sig ran lanmè
We sail on the ocean's wide expanse
An brave loraj é zéklè
We brave storms and lightning
Pou vou ayen pa fè mwen pè
So that nothing scares me when I'm with you
Vin, vlopé an bra an mwen
Come, wrap your arms around me
OO vin vlopé'w an bra-an mwen
Oh, come wrap your arms around me
Mé mwen ka santi an vlé tjenbé'w
But I feel like holding you tight
Mwen ké sa kenbé' é protéjé'w
I'll hold you and protect you
Pouki ou vlé fè mwen atann
Why do you want to make me wait?
Ou sav jan kè-an mwen ka fann
You know how my heart is burning
E vi doudou, sé' menm ki lanmou
And my dear, love is the same thing
Pouki ou ka fè mwen atann
Why do you make me wait?
Godé kado an ka poté pou vou... o, doudou
I have a gift for you, my dear
vini an bra-an mwen
Come, wrap your arms around me
Mwen enmé' ! Mwen enmé'v ! Mwen enmé'w !
I love you! I love you! I love you!
Men fok ou atann
But you have to wait
Vlopé'y adan
Wrap yourself in my embrace
Chak fwa zyé-an nou ka kwazé
Every time we talk and gaze into each other's eyes
Ka limen difé
A fire ignites
Oswè-la ti chou Lanmou ké vwe jou
Tonight, the little flame of love will spark
Vlopé'w an bra-mwen son palé
Wrap your arms around me and speak
An ké sa tjenbé'w
I will hold you tight
An péké fé wol
I can't wait any longer
Pa fé mwen atann
Don't make me wait
An ti lapli si tol
A little rain falls
Koumansé désann
And starts to descend
Vlopé'y adan
Wrap yourself in my embrace
Dé tjè-an nou kon tanbouyé
Our hearts beat together like a drum
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, PEERMUSIC FRANCE
Written by: GEORGES DECIMUS, JACOB DESVARIEUX, JEAN-LUC DIVIALLE, JEAN-PHILIPPE MARTHELY, JEAN-CLAUDE NAIMRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vi
on Mwen di ou awa
I Tell You Now / I Am Telling You Now