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".
Pictures Of Yourself
Noir Désir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To shatter all the mirrors
You open all the doors
To find out
Some pictures of yourself
You scatter each piece of you
In the earth of the city
Diving into those pretty lights
I'm so silly
Don't no what I'm living for
Then you go
Radio on your skin
Follow the western dream
Anything's good enough
To find out
Some pictures of yourself
You walk along the shops
You image in the windows
Singing I can take
What I want to take
Cause you know
I'm so silly
Don't no what I'm living for
Then you go
The lyrics to Noir Désir's song "Pictures Of Yourself" explore themes of self-reflection, self-destruction, and the search for identity. The singer observes someone who is constantly seeking validation and meaning by searching for pictures of themselves, both literally and metaphorically. The opening lines suggest someone who is obsessed with their own image, going so far as to break mirrors in order to find themselves. They are searching for something deeper than just their physical appearance - they want to find out who they really are.
The second verse describes someone following the "western dream," which could refer to the pursuit of material wealth and success at any cost. The imagery of walking past shop windows and seeing their own reflection suggests that they are constantly confronted with the idea of who they think they should be, rather than who they truly are. The repeated refrain of "I'm so silly, Don't no what I'm living for" suggests that despite all their searching, they feel lost and unsure of their purpose in life.
Overall, the lyrics to "Pictures Of Yourself" are a commentary on the modern obsession with self-image and the search for meaning in a world that often prioritizes material success over personal fulfillment. It is a reminder that true self-discovery comes from looking inward, rather than seeking validation from external sources.
Line by Line Meaning
You got out every night
You leave your house every evening
To shatter all the mirrors
You intentionally break reflective surfaces
You open all the doors
You unlock all entrances and exits
To find out
In order to discover
Some pictures of yourself
Images or reflections of your own likeness
You scatter each piece of you
You break yourself into fragments
In the earth of the city
Amongst the soil and concrete of the urban environment
Diving into those pretty lights
Immersing yourself into the beautiful, dazzling lights
Beating and singing
Moving rhythmically and vocalizing
I'm so silly
Expressing foolishness or stupidity
Don't no what I'm living for
Uncertain of your purpose or reason for existence
Then you go
Subsequently or afterward, you depart
Radio on your skin
The radio waves which transmit through your body
Follow the western dream
Pursue the customary aspirations of the western lifestyle
Anything's good enough
No matter what it is, it satisfies your needs
To find out
In order to discover
Some pictures of yourself
Images or reflections of your own likeness
You walk along the shops
Strolling adjacent to the stores
You image in the windows
Your reflection in the glass panes
Singing I can take
Vocally expressing capability
What I want to take
Whatever you desire to obtain
Cause you know
Because you are aware
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERTRAND LUCIEN CANTAT, DENIS GUY MARC BARTHE, FREDERIC VINCEN VIDALENC, GAY SERGE MARIUS PIERRE TEYSSOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind