Their tracks often feature acoustic guitar and accordion, as well as some tracks containing many other 'traditional' instruments such as piano and brass. Their style is fairly upbeat and energetic on the majority of their tracks, with unusual rhythms, vocals delivered with a generous dose of zeal and vibrant energy, and accompaniment melodies ranging from lilting and distant to eccentric and fast-paced. These two factors give many of their pieces a strong sense of direction.
Les Négresses Vertes arose from the alternative music scene in Paris. The original line-up included singer Helno (born Noël Rota in Paris, December 25, 1963 - January 22, 1993, also known as Helno Rota de Lourcqua), Jo Roz (also known as l'Ami Ro; real name Joe Ruffier des Aimes) (piano), Stéfane Mellino (guitar), Jean-Marie Paulus (bass), Gaby (drums), Matthias Canavese (accordion), Michel Ochowiak (trumpet), Abraham Sirinix (also known as Abraham Braham) (trombone) and Iza Mellino (backing vocals).
The original members were a group of friends, many of whom had not played their instruments before forming the band. The group's name translates as "green black women"; it arose from abuse hurled at them at one of their first concerts. They were initially signed to the independent Off The Track label, and released the punk protest song "200 Ans D'Hypocrisie" in response to their country's French Revolution bicentennial celebrations.
In 1989 they released their first album, Mlah, to good reviews in both France and the UK, where the single "Zobi La Mouche" just failed to reach the charts and where they toured and played the WOMAD festival. They also made a controversial tour of Lebanon. Their second album, Famille Nombreuse, in 1991, featured new drummer Zé Verbalito.
Helno was by this time struggling with serious heroin addiction, and Stéfane Mellino and Canavese replaced him as the main songwriters. Helno died at his parents' house on January 22, 1993.
Several members left the band after Helno's death, but Les Négresses Vertes continued around the nucleus of Mellino, Canavese, Ochowiak and Paulus. In 1995 they released the album Zig-Zague, followed by the live album Green Bus. By 2000's Trabendo, the group's style had shifted to a dub-orientated lounge style. They disbanded in 2001.
Albums
* Mlah (1988)
* Famille Nombreuse (1991)
* 10 Remixes (1993)
* An Aperitif (1994)
* Zig-Zague (1994)
* Green Bus (1996), live
* Trabendo (1999)
* Acoustic Clubbing (2001)
* Les grand deballage (2002) ('Best of' album)
* L'essentiel (2004)('Best of' album)
* À l'Affiche (2006)
Singles
* Il (1989)
* Zobi La Mouche (1989)
* Voila L’ete(1989)
* Hou! Mamma Mia (1992)
* Sous Le soleil de bodega (1992)
* Apres La pluie (1994)
* Mambo Show (1994)
* A Quoi Bon (1995)
* Easy Girls (1999)
* Leila (1999)
* Hasta Llegar (2000) ('Promo' CD - was never released)
* Spank / Abuela (2000)
Face à la mer
Les Négresses Vertes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Se dresse là, un cimetière
Où les cyprès comme des lances
Sont les gardiens de son silence.
Sur le sable, des lits de fer
Sont plantés là, face à la mer
Oh mon ami, la mort t’a emmené
Si on allait au cimetière
Voir mon nom gravé sur la pierre,
Saluer les morts face à la mer,
Ivres de vie dans la lumière.
Dans la chaleur, le silence
À l’heure où les cyprès se balancent
Les morts reposent au cimetière
Sous le sable, face à la mer.
The song "Face A La Mer" by Les Négresses Vertes depicts the scene of a cemetery facing the sea. The first verse describes the cemetery with cypress trees standing tall like guardians of the silence that surrounds it. The second verse talks about the burial of a friend who has been taken away by death on an eternal boat journey. In the third verse, the singer invites the listener to go to the cemetery with them to see their name engraved on a stone and to pay respects to those who have passed away, all while being intoxicated by the light of life. The final verse sets the scene of a peaceful cemetery where the deceased rest under the sand, facing the sea.
The song evokes a deep sense of melancholy and nostalgia for the departed, while also portraying the beauty and serenity of nature. The contrast between life and death is explored as the sea, a symbol of life's constant movement and change, is juxtaposed with the stillness of the cemetery. The cypress trees that stand like lances represent both the passage of time and the resilience of memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Sur le sable, face à la mer
On the sand, facing the sea
Se dresse là, un cimetière
There stands a cemetery
Où les cyprès comme des lances
Where cypresses like spears
Sont les gardiens de son silence.
Are the guardians of its silence.
Sur le sable, des lits de fer
On the sand, beds of iron
Sont plantés là, face à la mer
Are planted there, facing the sea
Oh mon ami, la mort t’a emmené
Oh my friend, death has taken you
En son bateau pour l’éternité.
In its boat for eternity.
Si on allait au cimetière
If we went to the cemetery
Voir mon nom gravé sur la pierre,
To see my name engraved on the stone,
Saluer les morts face à la mer,
To greet the dead facing the sea,
Ivres de vie dans la lumière.
Drunk on life in the light.
Dans la chaleur, le silence
In the heat, the silence
À l’heure où les cyprès se balancent
At the time when the cypresses sway
Les morts reposent au cimetière
The dead rest in the cemetery
Sous le sable, face à la mer.
Under the sand, facing the sea.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: STEPHANE MICHEL MELLINO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Walter Piana
bravissimi, amore infinito dall'Italia
George Zsebe
Thank you for sharing! ^_^
Kharma Murphey
Me gusta mucho percussiones
Nicolas Nué
Si je récupérerais en argent tout le shit que j'ai fumé en écoutant cet album... Purée, je serais riche, mec !
Kharma Murphey
Me gusta todo todo
Maîtresse de Conjure
R.I.P Samuel <3 #Brest #France #Lamour
David Skunk
Il y a un défaillant auditif 😆😅