They are influenced by french writers like Georges Brassens, Pierre Perret, Renaud, the 80's french alternative scene like Mano Negra, and the music of Eastern Europe.
Delo
Les Ogres de Barback Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ça m'refroidit quand il fait chaud
J'ai mis de l'air sous mes paupières
Je m'le garde au chaud pour l'hiver
J'ai mis du feu devant mes yeux
Pour m'éclairer quand j'y vois peu
J'ai mis de la terre sous mes pieds
Pour y planter des saladiers
Du feu, d'la terre, de l'air, de l'eau
Du ciel, des nuages, et du gris
Des montagnes et du bleu, pardi !
Du feu, d'la terre, de l'eau, de l'air
Une p'tite chanson et tralalère !
The lyrics to Les Ogres de Barback's song Delo describe the various elements that the singer has incorporated into their being to help them cope with the world around them. They state that they have poured water into their brain to cool down during hot weather, held air beneath their eyelids to keep warm during cold months, and ignited fire in front of their eyes to see better. They've also planted bowls in the earth and incorporated all four elements - water, air, fire, and earth - into their being. The song continues with descriptions of the sky, mountains, and colors of the natural world, concluding with a simple phrase of joy and carefree attitude - "A little song and tralalère!".
In essence, the song seems to be about finding balance and joy in one's environment by embracing all of its elements and using them to their advantage. The singer acknowledges the challenges of the world but chooses to approach them with wonder and curiosity rather than fear.
Line by Line Meaning
J'ai mis de l'eau dans mon cerveau (bis)
I filled my mind with water to cool it down on hot days.
Ça m'refroidit quand il fait chaud
This cools me down when it's hot outside.
J'ai mis de l'air sous mes paupières
I keep air trapped beneath my eyelids to keep them warm in the winter.
Je m'le garde au chaud pour l'hiver
I keep it warm for winter.
J'ai mis du feu devant mes yeux
I lit a fire in front of my eyes to see better in the dark.
Pour m'éclairer quand j'y vois peu
To help me see better when it's dark.
J'ai mis de la terre sous mes pieds
I put dirt under my feet.
Pour y planter des saladiers
So I can plant bowls of salad there.
De l'eau, de l'air, du feu, d'la terre
Water, air, fire, and earth.
Du feu, d'la terre, de l'air, de l'eau
Fire, earth, air, and water.
Du ciel, des nuages, et du gris
Sky, clouds, and grey.
Des montagnes et du bleu, pardi !
Mountains and blue, of course!
Du feu, d'la terre, de l'eau, de l'air
Fire, earth, water, and air.
Une p'tite chanson et tralalère !
A little song and tralalere!
Contributed by Elliot F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.