Theo Hakola from Passion Fodder produced their first LP in 1987 Où veux-tu qu'je r'garde ?. This 6 tracks album shows what would become a Noir Désir trademark: finely crafted lyrics with powerful rock sound.
Noir Désir's second album, Veuillez rendre l'âme (à qui elle appartient), released in 1990, introduced punk rock elements to their sound. This continued with their next album, Tostaky, which contained the successful song Tostaky.
One of the most popular rock groups in France, their success continued with the release of the dance-influenced 666.667 Club, and the remix album One Trip One Noise. Their last album, 2001's Des visages des figures, was a slower, more ambitious affair. This album also contained a collaboration with a fellow francophone Manu Chao. "Des visages, des figures" was the album of the consecration for the group which won the music award (Victoire de la Musique) of the best rock album of year 2002, as well as the award of best clip for "Le Vent nous portera". Although their last album seemed to be the slowest one, the following gigs were huge rock shows where thousands of fans came to see the group.
In 2003, allegedly on a drug binge, Bertrand Cantat slapped his girlfriend, Marie Trintignant during an argument in a hotel room in Lithuania. As she fell, her head hit the bed, and she consequently bled to death. Marie Trintignant was a popular French actress and was working on a movie. A Lithuanian judge sentenced Cantat to 8 years in prison after a jury convicted him of manslaughter. He was sentenced in Lithuania and served his sentence in a prison near Toulouse in France.
In September 2005, an album, En public, which contains highlights of their last tour. They also released a DVD set, Noir Désir en images, which contains various live performances, footage and videos. Special permission was obtained in order to allow the imprisoned Cantat to participate in the development of those.
Noir Désir members have not ruled out the possibility of re-forming once Cantat is released from jail. Cantat was released early on account of good behaviour on October 16th, 2007, but immediately retreated to his house near Bordeaux. At the time, he would not speak to the press regarding his musical future.
In November 2008, two free tracks were released. The band wished to show, with this release, that productive and cathartic, works from Noir Désir still impregnate the French scene with intellectual and emotional abuse.
Teyssot-Gay has stated that the group is currently in the process of composing and recording a new album which he feels should be finished in 2009. However according to a May 14, 2009 article in Le Parisien the album will not be ready until January 2010.
On November 29, 2010 it was announced that guitarist Serge Teyssot-Gay was leaving the band citing "emotional, human and musical differences" with lead singer Cantat.
On November 30, 2010 band's drummer Denis Barthe announced that Noir Désir is disbanded for good and that is useless to let the band live with "artificial respiration".
21st century schizoid man
Noir Désir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Neuro-surgeons scream for more
At paranoia's poison door.
Twenty first century schizoid man.
Blood rack barbed wire
Politicians' funeral pyre
Innocents raped with napalm fire
Death seed blind man's greed
Poets' starving children bleed
Nothing he's got he really needs
Twenty first century schizoid man
The lyrics to Noir Désir's song, "21st Century Schizoid Man," have a strong political undertone that critiques the state of society in the modern age. The opening lines, "Cat's foot iron claw, neuro-surgeons scream for more," paint a picture of a society where power is held by those who are ruthless and unfeeling. The "neuro-surgeons" could be a metaphor for those in positions of authority who seek to control and manipulate others.
The line "at paranoia's poison door" suggests that many people are living in a state of fear and anxiety due to the actions of those in power. This fear is further highlighted in the second verse with "Blood rack barbed wire, politicians' funeral pyre." The imagery here suggests violence, pain, and a lack of empathy for others.
The final verse critiques the greed and selfishness that is rampant in modern society. "Death seed blind man's greed" suggests that people are willing to sacrifice long-term well-being for short-term gains, even though the consequences could be devastating. The line "nothing he's got he really needs" is a commentary on consumerism and materialism, suggesting that people are constantly chasing after things they don't really need.
Overall, "21st Century Schizoid Man" is a searing indictment of modern society, pointing out the ways in which greed, fear, and selfishness have eroded our humanity.
Line by Line Meaning
Cat's foot iron claw
The 21st-century schizoid man is fierce and determined, with sharp claws ready to attack.
Neuro-surgeons scream for more
Even highly skilled medical professionals are overwhelmed by the chaotic and disturbing nature of this new era.
At paranoia's poison door.
The toxic influence of paranoia is ever-present, leading to further instability and confusion.
Twenty first century schizoid man.
Overall, the 21st-century schizoid man is a product of this crazy new world, struggling to adapt and cope.
Blood rack barbed wire
This violent and brutal society is characterized by torture and imprisonment.
Politicians' funeral pyre
Even the leaders of this world are not immune to the destruction and chaos they have helped create.
Innocents raped with napalm fire
The brutality of warfare leaves many innocent victims suffering in unimaginable ways.
Twenty first century schizoid man.
The 21st-century schizoid man continues to be victimized by this senseless brutality, adding to his own distorted world view.
Death seed blind man's greed
The greed and shortsightedness of humanity have led us to a destructive path towards our own destruction.
Poets' starving children bleed
Artists and dreamers are the ones who suffer the most when society's priorities are misplaced.
Nothing he's got he really needs
Despite all the violence and destruction, the 21st-century schizoid man is still searching for a deeper meaning in life.
Twenty first century schizoid man
Even with all the chaos and darkness of the modern world, the 21st-century schizoid man remains determined to find his place in it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert Fripp, Michael Rex Giles, Greg Lake, Ian Mcdonald, Peter John Sinfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johanleblond3101
j'adore !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@scieurz
Preuve que le Roi Crimson est + que jamais d'actualité, et que ce titre de la fin des 6Oies (ainsi que d'autres d'ailleurs...) était totalement visionnaire !
@gregoirephulpin2547
Vous hallucinez...cette reprise est formidable d'énergie et de talent !!!
@endlesssoundproject753
je pense pas que king crimson soit un groupe élitiste, et de toute façon, pour une raison qui m'échappe, les groupes français n'ont pas la maîtrise musicale de nombreux groupe anglais (yes, wishbone ash, caravan, soft machine, on pourrait en citer une centaine), ce qui n'empêche que cette version a un sens je trouve... nothing he's got he really needs, nothing he's got he really needs... ça s'insinue dans le cerveau, c'est parfaitement d'actualité 40 ans plus tard
@mrphic69
rien à voir avec la version de King Crimson, mais c'est çà justement qui est intéressant, moi j'aime bien!
@gourouhoy
@ coubiakb avant de "critiquer" as tu écouté les différentes et nombreuses reprises de ce morceaux ?? moi oui et là je trouve que cette reprise en live et bien plus qu'intéressante ;)
@Pofleur
Intéressante mais sans intérêt. Ici on ne parle pas d’élévation de la chanson, mais plutôt de rabaissement. C’est une reprise de basse qualité sans réel inteu
@fabricebayol1385
mouaip... je retourne à l'original :)
@Rikit93
Lol, sont pas sérieux.
@NeilTheSandman
Sympa mais rien ne vaut l'original ! :)