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.
On se lève
MC Solaar Lyrics
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On se lève, on se lève
On se lève, on se lave, ensuite on va au boulot
Dans le but de faire du chiffre et d'ajouter quelques euros
Quand les créateurs de vide sont devenus nos héros
On ne voit plus l'exclu qui seul en bas boit au boulot
J'ai quitté ma tour pour aller bosser dans une tour
Et on a la pression pour faire plus de chiffre
Y a de la tension dans le self et un cadre vient de se prendre une gifle
La devise de la direction
Ils tournent en rond dans un manège et on les appâte avec un pompon
Les leaders syndicaux paraphrasent Léon Blum
Mais ça c'est la routine, ce que je souhaite c'est que la roue tourne
Donc je fume du shit, ensuite je vais chez oim
Console, télévision, réseaux sociaux, Pauline au Boulaouane
Hélas si je veux aller au club à Bodrum
Il faut que je bosse tard le soir dans mon living room
On se lève, on se lève
On se lève, on se lève
On se lève
(On se lève) mon père m'a refilé sa boîte
Il a pensé que j'avais les qualités adéquates
Les seniors veulent me conseiller, je leur dis "bas les pattes
Traitez-moi comme le chef ou bien je coule la boîte"
J'ai compressé le personnel pour augmenter le profit
Y a que les forts qui peuvent survivre, je leur ai dit "c'est la vie"
Ouais c'est fini Bodrum, Boulaouane dans le living room
Maintenant j'suis wound, j'ai du moun', bientôt à moi l'Union kounkoun
Mais j'ai foiré, le mal est fait, et maintenant voilà le maléfice
J'ai investi le bénéfice dans du Ponzi avec de faux actifs
Et j'ai détruit ce qu'il a battit aveuglé par des artifices
Oubliant tous les sacrifices, je n'ai rendu que des cicatrices
Faut qu'on se lève
Qu'on s'élève
On se lève, on s'élève
Il faut qu'on se lève, il faut qu'on s'élève
Il faut qu'on se lève, il faut qu'on s'élève
Il faut qu'on se lève, il faut qu'on s'élève
Il faut qu'on se lève, il faut qu'on s'élève
Il faut qu'on se lève et il faut qu'on s'élève
Il faut qu'on se lève
Faut qu'on se lève
The lyrics of MC Solaar's song "On se lève" depict a narrative that captures the daily routine and struggles faced by individuals in the modern society. The first verse talks about the monotony of daily life - waking up, getting ready for work, and striving to make a living. The lyrics touch upon the pressure to perform and meet financial goals in a competitive work environment where colleagues may not always have each other's backs. The image of leaving a personal space (tower) to work in another (office tower) symbolizes the shift from personal life to work life, where one is constantly under scrutiny and expected to excel.
The reference to smoking weed and seeking escapism through entertainment and distractions like television and social media paints a picture of someone trying to cope with the stress and demands of their job. The yearning to enjoy luxuries like going to a club in Bodrum is juxtaposed with the reality that one must work long hours to afford such pleasures, even sacrificing personal time and relaxation. This section suggests a sense of disillusionment and dissatisfaction with the daily grind, where work-life balance seems unachievable.
In the second verse, the song shifts to a more introspective tone as the singer inherits a business from their father and is faced with the expectations and responsibilities that come with it. The pressure to succeed and the ruthless decisions made to cut costs and increase profits reflect the harsh realities of corporate culture and the sacrifices one may have to make to stay afloat. The downfall of the singer, marked by financial missteps and moral compromises, highlights the consequences of greed and shortsightedness in the pursuit of success.
The repeated refrain "On se lève, on s'élève" emphasizes the idea of rising above challenges and striving for personal growth and redemption. It serves as a call to action for individuals to break free from the cycles of routine and self-destructive behaviors, to stand up against injustices, and to elevate themselves to a higher level of consciousness and integrity. The song underscores the human experience of grappling with societal pressures, moral dilemmas, and the constant struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world driven by materialism and competition.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Eric Kroczynski, Claude M'Barali
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind