One of MC Solaar's first claims to fame was the rap he did on a level one French language education tape: "Comment t'appelles-tu?".
MC Solaar's first single, Bouge de là, was a French hit in 1990 that went platinum, as was his first album, Qui Sème le Vent Récolte le Tempo. His second album, Prose Combat, may be his most acclaimed.
As a rapper MC Solaar is known for the complexity and poetry of his songs, which rely on wordplay, lyricism, and philosophical inquiry. The music is based on dance rhythms and sensual grooves. In the English-speaking world, Solaar was signed by London acid jazz label Talkin' Loud and invited to record with British group Urban Species and Guru, a member of the famous and highly-acclaimed New York group Gang Starr.
MC Solaar gained new fans in North America in early 2004, when his 2001 song La Belle Et Le Bad Boy was featured on the final episode of the popular television series Sex and the City. MC Solaar remains best-known outside of France for his work on Guru's Jazzmatazz project and as a guest rapper on the Missy Elliott track All N My Grill. Out of Guru and Solaar's collaboration, the single Le Bien, Le Mal (The Good, The Bad) was a popular Hip Hop/Dance crossover hit receiving playtime on MTV.
Dévotion
MC Solaar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prends le vague à l'âme ou la vie du bon côté
La première solution, dès l'introduction
Se doit d'être bonne comme une nonne en dévotion
C'est un mec qui n'a pas de chance
Le fils de l'amour regrette sa date de naissance
Etre différent l'a beaucoup stessé
L'opinion publique l'a beaucoup vexé
Parce que depuis l'enfance il vit dans le monde du silence
Au boulot on le voit comme un humanoïde
Sa promotion est une course de spermatozoïdes
L'handicapé a happé l'handicap
Et ses capacités lui ont fait franchir le cap
Du dédain et de la non-communication
Avec calme et brio, il est objet d'admiration
Dévotion pour être top tel Evangelista
Parce qu'un faux dévot devant sa rue la pista
De casting en casting, elle attend le verdict
Il tombe quand la nuit tombe:"vous êtes trop petite"
Alors elle baisse les bras au lieu de lever la tête
Elle est belle mais pas seule comme l'était la Schtroupfette
Le lendemain matin j'entends qu'elle pousse la voix
parce qu'un faux dévot devant sa rue la flatta
"Petite tu vas chanter"et il l'a fait chanter
"Si tu veux être star, donne-moi ton porte-monnaie"
Je sais qu'elle est trop fière pour demander de l'aide,
Trop fière pour céder, pourtant elle cède
Ma fille t'es sans défaut méfie-toi des faux dévots
Méfie-toi des méfaits des faux qui te dise sans défauts
Lutèce est pleine de princesses qui aiment cette promotion
Toi tu es une déesse vouée à l'admiration
Il porte une big Rolex, s'habille chez Smalto
Fume des cohibas comme Fidel Castro
Investit ses assedics dans l'apparat, pourquoi?
Parce que l'habit peut faire le moine, parfois
Alors il se sape et va chercher du taf
On ne lui donne pas parce qu'il fait bien trop gaffe.
En fait il veut être boss pour ne pas bosser
Pour pouvoir l'ouvrir à l'inverse de l'ouvrier
Mais bon, bien vite il doit constater
Que pour être boss, et bien mon pote il faut bosser
Il se dit comment faire pour chiller
Près du lac comme un mac,à la recherche de son passé
L'As de trèfle n'a pas de conseils à donner
Prends le vague à l'âme ou la vie du bon côté
Après le développement voici la conclusion
Acte avec tact et capte l'admiration
The song "Dévotion" by MC Solaar talks about three different characters and their struggles in life. The first character is someone who doesn't have much luck and faces a lot of discrimination because of his disability. Despite his hardships, he takes control of his life and ignores societal judgment. The second character is a young girl who wants to become a star but faces constant rejection and mistreatment at the hands of a fake talent scout. She eventually gives in to his demands and loses her self-respect. The third character is a man who invests his financial aid in expensive clothes and accessories, hoping to become successful without putting in the effort, but he soon realizes that hard work is necessary to achieve his goals.
The chorus of the song, "L'As de trèfle n'a pas de conseils à donner, prends le vague à l'âme ou la vie du bon côté," translates to "The Ace of Clubs has no advice to give, take life with either a heavy heart or on the bright side." This suggests that life is full of ups and downs and it's up to the individual to choose how they perceive it. The song encourages listeners to take control of their lives, ignore societal pressures, and act with tact and grace to receive admiration.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1991 and is considered one of MC Solaar's early works. It was included in his debut album "Qui sème le vent récolte le tempo," which was a critical and commercial success in France. The song's title "Dévotion" is a play on words as it sounds similar to the French word "dévotion" meaning devotion, while the actual lyrics talk about the struggles and hardships faced by the characters in the song. Another interesting fact is that MC Solaar's lyrics often contain wordplay, metaphors, and cultural references, which has helped him become one of the most respected and revered French rappers.
Chords: Unfortunately, the chords are not available as the song doesn't feature any instruments.
Line by Line Meaning
L'As de trèfle n'a pas de conseils à donner
The singer is saying that he/she does not have any advice to give.
Prends le vague à l'âme ou la vie du bon côté
Choose to either have a carefree attitude or look at the brighter side of things.
La première solution, dès l'introduction
The first option presented to you, from the very beginning.
Se doit d'être bonne comme une nonne en dévotion
It should be good and pure, like a nun in devotion.
C'est un mec qui n'a pas de chance
Referring to a man who has had bad luck.
Le fils de l'amour regrette sa date de naissance
The singer is implying that the man regrets being born.
Etre différent l'a beaucoup stessé
Being different has caused him a lot of stress.
L'opinion publique l'a beaucoup vexé
The public's opinion of him has hurt him a lot.
Mais sa vie en main oubliant les apparences
Taking control of his life and forgetting about appearances.
Parce que depuis l'enfance il vit dans le monde du silence
Explaining that since childhood, he has lived in a world of silence.
Au boulot on le voit comme un humanoïde
At work, he is treated like an object, not a person.
Sa promotion est une course de spermatozoïdes
His chances of being promoted are like a race of sperm cells competing.
L'handicapé a happé l'handicap
The handicapped has overcome their handicap.
Et ses capacités lui ont fait franchir le cap
His abilities have allowed him to overcome his limitations.
Du dédain et de la non-communication
Describing a situation where there is condescension and a lack of communication.
Avec calme et brio, il est objet d'admiration
Despite the previous negative situation, the man remains calm and his behavior is admirable.
Dévotion pour être top tel Evangelista
The woman mentioned is devoted to becoming successful, like the model Evangelista.
Parce qu'un faux dévot devant sa rue la pista
Because there are people who pretend to be devoted to her in order to take advantage.
De casting en casting, elle attend le verdict
Referring to the woman attending auditions and waiting for a decision.
Il tombe quand la nuit tombe:"vous êtes trop petite"
A casting director has told her that she is too short to be successful.
Alors elle baisse les bras au lieu de lever la tête
Instead of being resilient, she gives up.
Elle est belle mais pas seule comme l'était la Schtroupfette
She is beautiful, but not as alone as the cartoon character Schtroupfette.
Le lendemain matin j'entends qu'elle pousse la voix
The next morning, the singer hears her singing loudly.
parce qu'un faux dévot devant sa rue la flatta
Because someone pretending to be devoted to her has flattered her.
"Petite tu vas chanter"et il l'a fait chanter
"You're going to sing, little one," and he made her sing.
"Si tu veux être star, donne-moi ton porte-monnaie"
"If you want to be a star, give me your money."
Je sais qu'elle est trop fière pour demander de l'aide,
The singer understands that she is too proud to ask for help.
Trop fière pour céder, pourtant elle cède
Despite being too proud to give in, she eventually does.
Ma fille t'es sans défaut méfie-toi des faux dévots
The artist is warning his daughter to beware of people pretending to be devoted but are actually not trustworthy.
Méfie-toi des méfaits des faux qui te dise sans défauts
Be cautious of those who claim to have no faults themselves.
Lutèce est pleine de princesses qui aiment cette promotion
Paris (referring to the city of lights as Lutèce) is full of women who crave success and fame.
Toi tu es une déesse vouée à l'admiration
The artist wants his daughter to know that she is like a goddess and should strive to be admired.
Il porte une big Rolex, s'habille chez Smalto
Describing a man who wears expensive brands like Rolex and Smalto.
Fume des cohibas comme Fidel Castro
He smokes cigars like the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Investit ses assedics dans l'apparat, pourquoi?
He spends his government-provided benefits on luxuries, but why?
Parce que l'habit peut faire le moine, parfois
Because sometimes, the way you present yourself can make all the difference.
Alors il se sape et va chercher du taf
He dresses up and looks for work.
On ne lui donne pas parce qu'il fait bien trop gaffe.
But he doesn't get the job because he is too cautious and afraid of taking risks.
En fait il veut être boss pour ne pas bosser
In reality, he wants to be the boss so that he doesn't have to do any work.
Pour pouvoir l'ouvrir à l'inverse de l'ouvrier
So that he can have the power to speak out, unlike the average worker.
Mais bon, bien vite il doit constater
But soon he realizes that this plan won't work.
Que pour être boss, et bien mon pote il faut bosser
To be the boss, you have to work hard and put in the effort.
Il se dit comment faire pour chiller
He wonders how he can relax and enjoy life.
Près du lac comme un mac,à la recherche de son passé
He decides to hang out by the lake, reminiscing about his past.
Après le développement voici la conclusion
After all that has been said, here is the conclusion.
Acte avec tact et capte l'admiration
Take action with skill and grace, and earn the admiration of others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Francard Blanc, Claude M'barali
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MadGorilla
How freaking beautiful is this beat! 🙌 French hip hop is beautiful ❤️ Respect MC Solaar✊
Lionel Bellon
Mc Solaar c'est Le Serge des années 90.
Quand sera t'il reconnu comme l'un des plus grands de la chanson française?
Respect et amour. Longue vie.
SteegMatt_77
Acte avec Tact et capte l'admiration..., Grand Respect toujours un grand classique depuis la sortie de l'EP.
R. Biker
Quelle instru! quelle poésie ! Qui croirait que ça date de 1994??? J'avais cet album en k7, nostalgie quand tu nous tiens !!!!
Geo solo
Instru Jimmy Jay
Arian Garcia
Respect to this MC!!! Much love from Chicago!
Sebb02
Sans doute une des plus belle instru de L'Album
R. Biker
La meilleure selon moi. Elle déchire franchement.
laurent zileug
C’est du développement personnel
GÉNIAL 👍
MC ❤️
kelnaldinho
PROSE COMBAT EST UN ALBUM LEGENDAIRE❤🎉