Les Négresses Vertes, formed in 1987 arose from the alternative music scene… Read Full Bio ↴Les Négresses Vertes, formed in 1987 arose from the alternative music scene in Paris, France, are a French music group who are best described as a fusion of world music and some aspects of alternative rock. Their particular musical influences were Algerian raï, Mediterranean and South American music and French café music.

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)

Orane
Les Négresses Vertes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Orane disparue un soir, Orane disappeared one night,
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane moi qui t'aime tant, Orane it's me who loves you so,
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, je ne suis rien sans toi, Orane, I'm nothing without you
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, n'entends-tu mon cri? Orane, don't you hear my cry?
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane

Je t'ai epousee a l'age de treize ans I married you at the age of 13
L'ainee de six freres et huit soeurs The eldest of 6 brothers and 8 sisters
Je vous ai nourri I fed all of you
Toi et ta famille You and your family
Ton pere se tuait au labeur. Your father killed himself at labor.
Orane, souviens-toi de ca, Orane, remember that,
Orane, Orane, Orane, Orane
Orane, sois reconnaissante, Orane, be grateful,
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, tu n'as pas de coeur, Orane, you don't have any heart,
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, pense a tes enfants, Orane, think of your children
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Si j'ai dechire If I tore
Ton pantalon rose your pink pants
Ma parole je le regrette My word, I regret it
Si je t'ai frappee jusqu'au sang If I hit you until you bled
Meme ton pere en aurait fait autant Even your father would've done that
Orane, maintenant see'est fini, Orane, now it's over
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, je refais ma vie, Orane, I'm remaking my life
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, maintenant see'est fini, Orane, now it's over
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, je refais ma vie, Orane, I'm remaking my life
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Je t'ai epousee a l'age de treize ans I married you at the age of 13
L'ainee de six freres et huit soeurs The eldest of 6 brothers and 8 sisters
Si je t'ai frappee jusqu'au sang If I hit you until you bled
Meme ton pere en aurait fait autant Even your father would've done that
Orane, ma cherie, ma caille, Orane, my dear, my dove
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, ma cherie, ma caille, Orane, my dear, my dove
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, ma cherie, ma caille, Orane, my dear, my dove
Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, reviens-moi j't'en prie, Orane, come back to me, I beg you

Orane, Orane Orane, Orane
Orane, Orane, Orane, Orane. Orane, Orane, Orane, Orane.

Overall Meaning

The song "Orane" by Les Négresses Vertes is a haunting tribute to a lost love. The lyrics tell the story of a man who married a woman named Orane when she was just 13 years old. He loved her deeply and did everything he could to support her and her large family, even at the cost of his own well-being. However, one night Orane disappeared, leaving him alone and heartbroken.

The man pleads with Orane to remember all that he has done for her, to be grateful and to think of their children. He also confesses to hitting her until she bled and tearing her pink pants, although he regrets these actions. Despite this, he still longs for her to return, calling her his "cherie" and "caille."

The lyrics are written in a simple, poetic style that conveys a profound sense of longing and loss. The use of repetition in the chorus ("Orane, Orane, Orane, Orane") reinforces the obsessive nature of the man's love for her. The fact that he married her at such a young age and supported her entire family suggests a deep sense of duty and self-sacrifice.

Overall, "Orane" is a poignant meditation on love, loss, and regret.

Line by Line Meaning

Orane disparue un soir, Orane
Orane disappeared one night

Orane moi qui t'aime tant, Orane
Orane, it's me who loves you so

Orane, je ne suis rien sans toi, Orane
Orane, I'm nothing without you

Orane, n'entends-tu mon cri?
Orane, don't you hear my cry?

Je t'ai epousee a l'age de treize ans
I married you at the age of 13

L'ainee de six freres et huit soeurs
The eldest of 6 brothers and 8 sisters

Je vous ai nourri
I fed all of you

Toi et ta famille
You and your family

Ton pere se tuait au labeur.
Your father killed himself at labor.

Orane, souviens-toi de ca, Orane
Orane, remember that

Orane, sois reconnaissante, Orane
Orane, be grateful

Orane, tu n'as pas de coeur, Orane
Orane, you don't have any heart

Orane, pense a tes enfants, Orane
Orane, think of your children

Si j'ai dechire ton pantalon rose
If I tore your pink pants

Ma parole je le regrette
My word, I regret it

Si je t'ai frappee jusqu'au sang
If I hit you until you bled

Meme ton pere en aurait fait autant
Even your father would've done that

Orane, maintenant see'est fini, Orane
Orane, now it's over

Orane, je refais ma vie, Orane
Orane, I'm remaking my life

Orane, ma cherie, ma caille, Orane
Orane, my dear, my dove

Orane, reviens-moi j't'en prie, Orane
Orane, come back to me, I beg you

Orane, Orane, Orane, Orane
Orane, Orane, Orane, Orane

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHANE MICHEL MELLINO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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