The group made itself known in 2004 with the release of its first album, "Le Compte Complet." Critics welcomed the disc with positive reviews, which allowed the group to become instantly famous in the Québécois music scene. Several of its songs, such as "Le Métronome" and "La Valérie," were prominent mainstays on several Québec radio stations. For the production of the album, the group turned to Martin Pelland from fellow Montreal band The Dears.
In the months that followed the release of their first album, Malajube launched a tour across Québec, participating in several major festivals, such as Les FrancoFolies de Montréal.
In February 2006, the quartet released its sophomore album, Trompe-l’œil, which also received a warm welcome on the part of Québec media. Collaborations with singer Pierre Lapointe, Québecois rap group Loco Locass, and the use of a wide variety of instruments has contributed to the album's success. Trompe-l'œil also began to attract attention in English Canada in July, when it was shortlisted for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize, and in the United States in October, when it was a featured review on Pitchfork Media. In 2006, they won three Félix Award at the 28th edition of the Gala de l'ADISQ: two for Trompe-l’œil, "Best alternative album" and "Best cover art" while they were proclaimed "Revelation of the year 2006".
Their third album, Labyrinthes, was released on February 10th 2009.
Their song "Montreal -40° C" was featured in a Rogers Wireless commercial, and Ton Plat Favori was in a Zellers commercial.
Le crabe
Malajube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Je sais tout bas que tu m'aimes encore
Citadine multicolore liée par la sang
Tu sais tout bas que je t'aime aussi fort
Dans l'ombre
Sous ta peau s'est trouvée
Une cellule sombre
Si jamais on te plombe
De noirs rayons gamma
Je reste avec toi
Endophine endogamique qui me gèle le sang
Tu sais tout bas que je t'aime oh! si fort
Héroïne des anticorps liée par le sang
Je sais tout bas que tu m'aimes encore
Dans l'ombre
Sous ta peau s'est trouvée
Une cellule sombre
Qui veut faire hécatombe
Si jamais on te plombe
De noirs rayons gamma
Je te suis d'un pas
Oui je te suis d'un pas
Oui je te suis d'un pas
(et rends-lui ses ailes)
Creuse ton tunnel
Sous ses aisselles
Et rends-lui ses ailes
Creuse ton tunnel
Sous ses aisselles
Et rends-lui ses ailes
Et tu t'endors contre moi
Dans mon lit bleu et blanc
Et je dors aussi
Mais pour plus longtemps
Dans l'ombre
Sous ta peau s'est trouvée
Une cellule sombre
Malajube's song "Le crabe" is about love and the depth of a relationship. The opening lines, "Endophine endogamique qui me gèle le sang, Je sais tout bas que tu m'aimes encore" are about the powerful feelings of love that can make one feel frozen or overwhelmed. The singer is aware that the other person still loves them and they reciprocate that love. The reference to "endophine" is actually meant to be "endorphine," which is a chemical released in the brain that triggers feelings of pleasure and happiness. The use of the term "endogamique" is meant to imply a love so deep that it is similar to the act of marrying within one's own family.
The song continues with the idea of a dark cell that wants to cause destruction, but the singer reassures the other person that they will stay with them through it all, no matter what, with lyrics like "Je reste avec toi," "Je te suis d'un pas," and "Et rends-lui ses ailes." The final lines of the song suggest a comfort in the idea that the two lovers will be sleeping together, although the line "Mais pour plus longtemps" implies a certain tragedy or inevitability that their time together may be limited.
Overall, "Le crabe" is a powerful and emotional song about the depth of love and the connection between partners. The use of chemical and medical imagery adds a layer of complexity and nuance to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Endophine endogamique qui me gèle le sang
A genetically induced hormone that is freezing my blood
Je sais tout bas que tu m'aimes encore
I know deep down that you still love me
Citadine multicolore liée par la sang
A diverse city dweller bonded by blood
Tu sais tout bas que je t'aime aussi fort
You know deep down that I love you just as strongly
Dans l'ombre
In the shadow
Sous ta peau s'est trouvée
Beneath your skin has been found
Une cellule sombre
A dark cell
Qui veut faire hécatombe
That wants to wreak havoc
Si jamais on te plombe
If they ever shoot you
De noirs rayons gamma
With dark gamma rays
Je reste avec toi
I'll be with you
Héroïne des anticorps liée par le sang
Antibody heroine bonded by blood
Je sais tout bas que tu m'aimes encore
I know deep down that you still love me
Je te suis d'un pas
I will follow you one step at a time
Creuse ton tunnel
Dig your tunnel
Sous ses aisselles
Underneath their armpits
Et rends-lui ses ailes
And give them back their wings
Et tu t'endors contre moi
And you fall asleep against me
Dans mon lit bleu et blanc
In my blue and white bed
Et je dors aussi
And I sleep too
Mais pour plus longtemps
But for a longer time
Dans l'ombre
In the shadow
Sous ta peau s'est trouvée
Beneath your skin has been found
Une cellule sombre
A dark cell
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: FRANCIS MINEAU, JULIEN HYACINTHE MINEAU, MATHIEU COURNOYER, THOMAS AUGUSTIN, VIRGINIE PARR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jesdaniels
So many great bands from Quebec !
@theotherbabies
name 3
@jesdaniels3166
@Zeb Garcia Voivod. Chromeo, Tiga, Kid Koala, Cryptopsy, Ion Dissonance, Quo Vadis, Alain Caron,
@aerandir22
Bien dit ! :) Excellante chanson !
@quebon2
Allo du future!
@cyprn6600
SVP RETROUVEZ LES ET FORCEZ LES À FAIRE UN SHOW RÉUNION
@shibuyaxstation
Magnifique!
@Lutinpofin
Wow, 2e fois qu'un vidéo de Malajube est "featured" sur youtube. Bravo!
@Rykemasters
Holy crap, featured video. One of my favourite songs, good thing it's getting some attention, gives Québec a bit of time in the spotlight. Even though half the people who see it won't notice. Je parle français aussi, mais personne comprends quand on parle en français sur YouTube, faque ça sert pas à grand chose. Pis en passant tous ceux qui disent aux autres de pratiquer leur français, le votre est pas ben meilleur, lol.
@Catherinequebec
Je les aime trop :D !