Lokua Kanza was born Pascal Lokua Kanza in 1958 in Bukavu, in the province of Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the eldest of eight children, with a Mongo father and a Tutsi mother from Rwanda. In 1964, the family went to live in Kinshasa (Congo's capital) in a middle class area, until the day when Pascal's father, a ship's captain, died. His mother then moved to a much poorer area of the city, and Lokua, the eldest, had to work to feed the family. He therefore went to school part time, and took odd jobs, as well as singing in churches. Lokua Kanza sings in French, Lingala, and English.
Plus vivant
Lokua Kanza Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Des moments imprévus
Des rythmes qu'on ose
Comme on a tant vécu
J'ai connu des doutes
Tant qu'on se sent perdu
Mais aussi l'amour
Tant que l'eau
Coule dans nos veines
C'est ma flamme et je prie
Pour que jamais elle ne s'éteigne
Plus vivant
Que l'amour qui se donne
Que l'on sent
Dans tout ce qui résonne
Plus vivant
Que l'oiseau qui s'envole
Et qui laisse en passantla trace du vent
Elembo ya mopepe
J'ai connu le charme
La douceur de la nuit
Le bruit et les larmes
La chaleur de la pluie
Si là-bas le temps
A vaincu nos envies
Alors je me sens
Encore plus près d'ici
Plus vivant
Que l'amour qui se donne
Que l'on sent
Dans tout ce qui résonne
Plus vivant
Que l'oiseau qui s'envole
Et qui laisse en passant la trace du vent
Elembo ya mopepe
C'est ma flamme et je prie pour que jamais elle ne s'éteigne
Plus vivant que l'oiseau qui s'envole, elembo ya mopepe
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
Plus vivant que l'amour
L'amour qui se donne
L'amour qui se donne
Elembo ya mopepe
Elembo ya mopepe
In "Plus Vivant," Lokua Kanza, featuring Corneille, reflects on the unpredictable moments, doubts, and love that one experiences throughout their life. He contrasts these experiences with the idea of being alive and present in the moment. The lyrics suggest that as long as love exists and flows through our veins, we will continue to live vibrantly. The refrain of "Plus Vivant" emphasizes the importance of experiencing life in its fullness, beyond what can be seen or measured, highlighting the idea that love is what gives meaning to our lives.
The phrase "Elembo ya mopepe" is repeated at the end of each stanza, and its meaning is not explicitly explained. However, it is often translated to mean "eternity" or "forevermore," reinforcing the idea that the themes explored in the song are timeless.
Furthermore, the lyrics mention the beauty of nature, such as the flight of a bird or the sound of rain, and how these natural elements contribute to our ability to feel more alive. Kanza also alludes to the idea of distance, as he speaks about feeling closer to home when he is away, suggesting that distance can sometimes make us appreciate life more fully.
Overall, "Plus Vivant" is a song about embracing and appreciating the ups and downs of life, and the power of love to give meaning to our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
J'ai connu des choses
I have experienced different things in life
Des moments imprévus
Unexpected moments
Des rythmes qu'on ose
Rhythms that we dare to experience
Comme on a tant vécu
As if we have lived a lot already
J'ai connu des doutes
I have experienced doubts
Tant qu'on se sent perdu
When one feels lost
Mais aussi l'amour
But also love
Comme on l'a jamais vu
Like we have never seen before
Tant que l'eau
As long as blood flows through our veins
Coule dans nos veines
It's my flame and I pray it never goes out
C'est ma flamme et je prie
It's my flame and I pray
Pour que jamais elle ne s'éteigne
That it never dies out
Plus vivant
More alive
Que l'amour qui se donne
Than love that is given
Que l'on sent
That we feel
Dans tout ce qui résonne
In everything that resonates
Plus vivant
More alive
Que l'oiseau qui s'envole
Than the bird that flies away
Et qui laisse en passantla trace du vent
And leaves the trace of the wind behind
Elembo ya mopepe
A phrase in Congolese to emphasize the previous line
J'ai connu le charme
I have experienced the charm
La douceur de la nuit
The sweetness of the night
Le bruit et les larmes
The noise and the tears
La chaleur de la pluie
The warmth of the rain
Si là-bas le temps
If time over there
A vaincu nos envies
Has overcome our desires
Alors je me sens
Then I feel
Encore plus près d'ici
Even closer to here
C'est ma flamme et je prie pour que jamais elle ne s'éteigne
It's my flame and I pray it never goes out
Plus vivant que l'oiseau qui s'envole, elembo ya mopepe
More alive than the bird that flies away, emphasizing it in Congolese
Plus vivant que l'amour
More alive than love
L'amour qui se donne
The love that is given
Elembo ya mopepe
A Congolese phrase to emphasize the previous line
Writer(s): Kanza Lokua, Frederique Alie
Contributed by Claire E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.