Laleh Pourkarim (born June 10, 1982 in Bandar-e Anzali, Iran) is a Swedish … Read Full Bio ↴Laleh Pourkarim (born June 10, 1982 in Bandar-e Anzali, Iran) is a Swedish singer-songwriter & producer. She came to Sweden when she was 9 and grew up in Gothenburg. She produced and wrote her 2005 eponymous debut album, which she received seven nominations for at the 2005 Grammis awards and won three: Artist, Producer, and New Artist of the Year. She has cited Cat Stevens, The Police, Kate Bush, ABBA as influences.

Laleh now lives in Los Angeles where she mainly writes and produces music for other pop artists, working on her own music in parallel. She is driven by the fact that the pop industry is dominated by men, and wants to be an example for younger women getting into the pop world.

She studied music and drama at Hvitfeltska Gymnasiet.

She had a major acting role in the Swedish movie Jalla! Jalla!, directed by Josef Fares, which was a big success at the Swedish box office in 2000.

Éléphant
Laleh Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I hear the children play
with the guards of the jail
with the guards of the jail
with the guards of the jail

I'm thinking of a new name
that I could give myself
one day I'll be myself

oh, I'll be my own

It's been forty long years
in the desert I have been
I've even hit the devils nose
in the desert I have grown

And as a woman said
that day when I was crying out
God puts his diamonds in the sand
but then he will always takes them back

Have a good day brother
me and your sister will rise up
like an elephant
from the mud
in your carefree sleep
we will brake free
we will brake free

Have a good day brother
me and your little bro
me and your sister will rise up
like an elephant
from the storm
in your carefree sleep
we will brake free

And the city will be reborn
and the streets will be washed
may the streets be clean and washed
may the streets be clean and washed

And we will wave our hand
and everybody will forget the past
and everybody will forget the past

And as a woman said
that day when I was crying out
God puts his diamonds in the sand
but then he will always takes them back

Have a good day brother
me and your sister will rise up
like an elephant
from the mud
in your carefree sleep
we will brake free
we will brake free

Have a good day brother
me and your little bro
me and your sister will rise up
like an elephant
from the storm
in your carefree sleep
we will brake free
we will brake free

I'm thinking of a new name
that I could give myself

one day I'll be myself
oh, I'll be my own

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Laleh's song "Elephant" are a powerful commentary on the human spirit's ability to break free from oppressive situations. Throughout the song, we hear the singer's thoughts and observations about her own life and the world around her. She notes the sound of children playing with the guards of a jail, symbolizing the ways in which oppression and inequality are normalized and accepted in our society. She then goes on to express a desire to be her own person, to find a new name and identity that is not defined by her experiences.

The singer also reflects on her time spent in the desert, where she has grown and overcome challenges. She notes that even in desolate places, there is beauty to be found, and that God has a way of putting diamonds in the sand only to take them away again. This speaks to the idea that life is not always fair, and that even in moments of growth and progress, there may be setbacks and struggles.

Ultimately, the song is a call to action for the listener to break free from their own metaphorical prisons, to rise up like an elephant from the mud or storm, and to create a better future for themselves and society as a whole. It is a reminder that we all have the power to create change, even in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

I hear the children play
The singer is aware of the sounds of children playing.

with the guards of the jail
The children are playing with the prison guards, possibly indicating that the singer is also in prison.

I'm thinking of a new name
The singer is considering a new identity for themselves.

that I could give myself
The artist wants to choose their own name and identity.

one day I'll be myself
The artist hopes to someday be their true self.

oh, I'll be my own
The singer wants to have control over their own life and identity.

It's been forty long years
The singer has spent a significant amount of time in the desert.

in the desert I have been
The artist has spent time living in the desert.

I've even hit the devils nose
The artist has overcome challenges and obstacles in the desert.

in the desert I have grown
The artist has learned and grown from their experiences in the desert.

And as a woman said
The singer is referencing a conversation they had with a woman.

that day when I was crying out
The conversation with the woman took place in a moment of emotional distress for the artist.

God puts his diamonds in the sand
The woman tells the singer that valuable things can be found in unexpected places.

but then he will always takes them back
The woman reminds the singer that everything comes to an end, even the good things.

Have a good day brother
The singer is addressing someone else, wishing them well.

me and your sister will rise up
The artist and the person they are addressing will overcome obstacles and challenges.

like an elephant from the mud
The artist and the person they are addressing will emerge victorious from difficult circumstances like an elephant rising from the mud.

in your carefree sleep we will brake free
The singer and the person they are addressing will achieve freedom while the other person is unaware or uninvolved.

And the city will be reborn
The singer envisions a future where the city is revitalized and new again.

and the streets will be washed
The artist imagines a future where the streets are clean and fresh.

may the streets be clean and washed
The artist expresses a desire for cleanliness and renewal in the city.

And we will wave our hand
The artist envisions themselves and others triumphantly waving in a celebratory manner.

and everybody will forget the past
The singer hopes for a future where past mistakes and grievances are forgotten and forgiven.

I'm thinking of a new name
The artist is still contemplating a new identity for themselves.

that I could give myself
The singer wants to be in control of their identity and name.

one day I'll be myself
The singer is optimistic about someday being their true self.

oh, I'll be my own
The singer desires independence and control over their own life.

Contributed by Isabelle L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS