At their beginning in January 1993, they were four girls: Sister Moon (vocals), Coxs (bass), Paka and Gen (guitar), but three more members joined before the release of their first album: David (drums), Jean-Marc (saxophone, keyboard) and Ben (trumpet).
Karen
Le Maximum Kouette Lyrics
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La ferraille s'accroche à ses dents
Elle se mate des heures dans la glace
Et trouve que rien n'est à sa place
Elle déteste ses problèmes de peau
Trouve que ses seins sont tout sauf beaux
Elle se voit laide et mal foutue
Sur le fil un peu perdue
Sac chambre jaune son lit d'enfant
Les yeux tournés vers le ciel
Elle s'accroche aux paradis artificiels
On la surnomme l'anorexique
Elle ne parle jamais en public
Encours son regard insaisissable
La laisse seule face à sa table
Assise au fond collée collée au radiateur
Elle dessine des spirales et des drôles de coeurs
A la pause elle s'isole avec Jim Morrison
En secret Karen est amoureuse
Et quand la nuit tombe elle écrit
Des pages et des pages sous veilleuse
Pour s'endormir avec lui
Elle le voit grand et ténébreux
Le regard sombre et mystérieux
Ils partiront loin d'ici
Quitteront la banlieue pour Paris
Il aura sa moto
Elle s'accrochera à son dos
Ils vivront juste l'un dans l'autre
Et plsu rien à foutre des autres
Passionnés passionnément
Vivre à fond l'instant présent
Au revoir la triste gamine
Voilà Karen l'héroïne...
The song "Karen" by Le Maximum Kouette is about a 15-year-old girl named Karen who is struggling with her self-image and dreams of leaving her parents to escape the banality of suburban life. The lyrics paint a portrait of a young girl who is unhappy with her appearance, feeling like her flaws make her ugly and ill-favored. She spends hours looking at herself in the mirror, feeling like nothing is in its right place. Karen is also surrounded by a cloud of suspicion and rumour, labeled as anorexic and mute, making her feel isolated and withdrawn from society. She only opens up in private, writing pages upon pages of secret thoughts to her secret love Jim Morrison, whom she envisions as a companion that will help her escape her circumstances. In her dreams, Karen sees herself and Jim riding off into the sunset, leaving behind their past and living for the moment.
The song is a poignant reflection on the struggles that many teenagers face growing up, as they strive to find their place in the world and escape the expectations of others. It highlights the importance of finding someone to confide in and expresses the desire for independence and living life to the fullest. The lyrics are beautifully crafted to evoke empathy and understanding for Karen's plight and the challenges of youth.
· "Karen" is a song featured on the album "Les Autodafeurs" by Le Maximum Kouette, released in 2012.
· Le Maximum Kouette is a French music group that formed in 2009 and is known for their catchy melodies and playful lyrics.
· The song was written by lead singer Michael Garçon (aka Gaëtan Roussel), who is also known for his work as a solo artist.
· Karen is a recurring theme in Le Maximum Kouette's music, with several other songs featuring the character of Karen.
· The song was a commercial success in France, charting in the top 20 of the French singles chart and receiving significant airplay on French radio.
· The music video for "Karen" features animated illustrations that bring Karen's story to life.
· Le Maximum Kouette has been compared to other French music groups such as Phoenix and Air, with their upbeat pop sound and catchy hooks.
· The band has toured extensively in France and other European countries, earning a dedicated fanbase.
· "Karen" has been covered by several other artists, including a version by the French singer Yelle.
· The chords for "Karen" are as follows: Verses - Am, F, C, G; Chorus - C, F, G.
Line by Line Meaning
Karen a aujourd'hui 15 ans
Karen is currently 15 years old
La ferraille s'accroche à ses dents
She has braces on her teeth
Elle se mate des heures dans la glace
She spends hours looking at herself in the mirror
Et trouve que rien n'est à sa place
She thinks nothing looks right on her
Elle déteste ses problèmes de peau
She hates her skin problems
Trouve que ses seins sont tout sauf beaux
She doesn't think her breasts are attractive
Elle se voit laide et mal foutue
She sees herself as ugly and badly made
Sur le fil un peu perdue
She's a little lost and confused
Elle rêve de quitter ses parents
She dreams of leaving her parents
Sac chambre jaune son lit d'enfant
Her childhood room has a yellow bag and bed
Les yeux tournés vers le ciel
Her eyes are turned towards the sky
Elle s'accroche aux paradis artificiels
She clings to artificial paradises (drugs)
On la surnomme l'anorexique
She's nicknamed 'the anorexic'
Elle ne parle jamais en public
She doesn't speak in public
Encours son regard insaisissable
Her elusive gaze
La laisse seule face à sa table
Leaves her alone at her desk
Assise au fond collée collée au radiateur
Seated at the back, glued to the radiator
Elle dessine des spirales et des drôles de coeurs
She draws spirals and funny hearts
A la pause elle s'isole avec Jim Morrison
During breaks, she isolates herself with Jim Morrison's music
En secret Karen est amoureuse
Karen is secretly in love
Et quand la nuit tombe elle écrit
And when night falls, she writes
Des pages et des pages sous veilleuse
Pages and pages written by the bedside lamp
Pour s'endormir avec lui
To fall asleep with him
Elle le voit grand et ténébreux
She sees him tall and dark
Le regard sombre et mystérieux
Dark and mysterious gaze
Ils partiront loin d'ici
They will leave here far behind
Quitteront la banlieue pour Paris
They will leave the suburbs for Paris
Il aura sa moto
He will have his motorcycle
Elle s'accrochera à son dos
She'll cling to him from behind
Ils vivront juste l'un dans l'autre
They'll only live for each other
Et plus rien à foutre des autres
And won't give a damn about anyone else
Passionnés passionnément
Passionately passionate
Vivre à fond l'instant présent
Living fully in the present moment
Au revoir la triste gamine
Goodbye sad little girl
Voilà Karen l'héroïne...
Behold Karen, the heroine...
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Charles Hart
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