Massilia Sound System is a reggae band formed in Marseille in the 1980s. Th… Read Full Bio ↴Massilia Sound System is a reggae band formed in Marseille in the 1980s. They developed a Provençal hybrid version of reggae, rub-a-dub and raggamuffin with lyrics in the French and Occitan languages, sometimes referred to as trobamuffin (from the Occitan word trobador and the musical style raggamuffin). They incorporate many rhythms, beats and samples from the local tradition or other musical colleagues, and their lyrics indicate a profound parochialism for Marseille and the south of France in general.

Massilia Sound System re-popularised the city of Marseille in the 1990s, in conjunction with the success of Olympique de Marseille, the local football club. Along with that empowered an entire generation of young Marseillais with a positive identity, proud of their city and their capacity to embrace different cultural traditions.

Ton Balanlè
Massilia Sound System Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Per perseguir ton balanlè,
Ieu me'n vau per carriera. (bis)
Balalin balalan,
Faràs ti lo torn dau monde?
Balalin balalan,
Dins un viatge sensa fin.

Per te seguir es de bòn far

Perque ta traça es visibla. (bis)
Balalin balalan,
Guidat per ta tirassièra,
Balalin balalan,
Pòdi manjar lo camin.

Ve, la calor de ton passatge
Fa tremolar la rota. (bis)
Balalin balalan,
Fa tremolar mei cervelas,
Balalin balalan,
Me bolèga lo dedins.

Per perseguir ton balanlè,
Ai cramat meis idèias. (bis)
Balalin balalan,
Vau petar la bimbaròla,
Balalin balalan,
Es lo fuec dins mon jardin.

(Traduction)
Pour poursuivre ton déhanché,
Moi, je m'en vais dans les rues.
En balançant,
Feras-tu le tour du monde?
En balançant,
Dans un voyage sans fin.
Pour te suivre c'est facile
Car ta trace est visible.
En balançant,
Guidé par ton sillage,
En balançant,
Je peux avaler le chemin.
Regarde, la chaleur de ton passage
Fait trembler la route.
En balançant,
Il fait trembler mon cerveau,
En balançant,
Il m'agite le dedans.
Pour poursuivre ton déhanché
J'ai brûlé mes idées.
En balançant,
Je vais péter les plombs
En balançant,

C'est le feu dans mon jardin.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Massilia Sound System's song "Ton Balanle" can be interpreted as a poetic description of the pursuit of passion, with "ton balanle" representing the object of desire, movement and joy that the singer is trying to catch up with. The repetitive use of "balalin balalan" creates a hypnotic rhythm that draws the listener into the singer's internal monologue as he follows the elusive object of his passion down the streets and across the world. The singer acknowledges the difficulty of pursuing something that is constantly in motion, but he is also encouraged by the visible trail left behind by "ton balanle," which guides him and gives him hope that he can catch up with it. The intensity of the pursuit is conveyed through the use of metaphors such as "trembling wheels," "shaking brain," and "burning ideas," which suggest the transformative power of following one's passion.

Overall, "Ton Balanle" is a celebration of movement and freedom, as well as a reflection on the challenges and rewards of pursuing what one loves. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a quintessential example of Massilia Sound System's blend of reggae, hip hop, and traditional Provencal music, which has become a hallmark of the band's unique sound.

Line by Line Meaning

Per perseguir ton balanlè, Ieu me'n vau per carriera. (bis)
To pursue your dance moves, I go out into the streets. (repeat)

Balalin balalan, Faràs ti lo torn dau monde? Balalin balalan, Dins un viatge sensa fin.
Swinging, Will you go around the world? Swinging, In an endless journey.

Per te seguir es de bòn far Perque ta traça es visibla. (bis)
To follow you is easy Because your path is visible. (repeat)

Balalin balalan, Guidat per ta tirassièra, Balalin balalan, Pòdi manjar lo camin.
Swinging, Guided by your wake, Swinging, I can devour the road.

Ve, la calor de ton passatge Fa tremolar la rota. (bis)
Look, the heat of your passage Makes the wheel tremble. (repeat)

Balalin balalan, Fa tremolar mei cervelas, Balalin balalan, Me bolèga lo dedins.
Swinging, It makes my brain shudder, Swinging, It moves me inside.

Per perseguir ton balanlè, Ai cramat meis idèias. (bis)
To pursue your dance moves, I burnt my ideas. (repeat)

Balalin balalan, Vau petar la bimbaròla, Balalin balalan, Es lo fuec dins mon jardin.
Swinging, I'm going to go crazy, Swinging, It's the fire in my garden.

Contributed by Kaylee K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS