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".
Prayer for a Wanker
Noir Désir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into another screen
I could scream but the silence
Is the best scene, yeah
I can print, this picture won't tell you
What I mean
Just a prayer for a wanker
I guess it's enough
Well I'm sure it's enough, yeah
Just a prayer for a wanker
Just a prayer for a wanker
Just a prayer for a wanker
Aah, it's a prayer for a wanker now
I can swear, someday we'll take this other way
Let me crawl up to any big wide road
But I wanna be sure
Yeah, I wanna be pure
And I carry on with an inner storm
And it's blank around
I could stop now
But it's another dream my friend
Yeah, yeah, yeah
The song "Prayer for a Wanker" by French rock band Noir Désir is an introspective look at the struggle to find meaning in a world that can feel overwhelming and isolating at times. The opening line, "I can't swim, let's dive again into another screen," suggests a desire to escape reality and lose oneself in a virtual world. However, the singer acknowledges that even in silence, there is a certain beauty and peace to be found.
The second verse continues this theme of searching for something deeper and more meaningful. The line, "Let me crawl up to any big wide road, but I wanna be sure, yeah, I wanna be pure," suggests a desire for clarity and direction in life, while the final lines, "And it's blank around, I could stop now, but it's another dream my friend," imply a sense of confusion and uncertainty.
In the chorus, the repeated phrase "just a prayer for a wanker" takes on a sarcastic tone, perhaps poking fun at the idea that even in the face of life's complexities and hardships, all one can do is offer a simple prayer or wish for things to get better. Overall, the song speaks to the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can often feel overwhelming and confusing.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't swim, let's dive again
I feel overwhelmed by life, but I'm willing to take risks and dive into a new experience.
Into another screen
I'm attempting to escape reality by immersing myself in a different world through a screen.
I could scream but the silence
Although I am frustrated and upset, the absence of noise is calming and preferable.
Is the best scene, yeah
I prefer the quiet because it's peaceful and helps me cope.
I can print, this picture won't tell you
I can provide a tangible representation of an image or thought, but it doesn't necessarily convey what I'm feeling or thinking.
What I mean
My true intentions are often difficult to understand or express through words or images alone.
Just a prayer for a wanker
I am sending out a wish or hope for someone who is not behaving decently, whether to help them or as a form of criticism.
I guess it's enough
I am content with the minimal action of a prayer, even if it means little in the grand scheme of things.
Well I'm sure it's enough, yeah
I have faith that whatever action I take, no matter how small, will ultimately make a difference.
Just a prayer for a wanker
I repeat the idea of wishing someone well or calling them out on their bad behavior through a prayer.
Just a prayer for a wanker
Again, I repeat the sentiment of wanting someone who is behaving badly to change or improve.
Just a prayer for a wanker
Once more, I send out a call for someone to change and do better.
Aah, it's a prayer for a wanker now
I emphasize that the prayer I am repeating is directed towards someone who is not behaving well.
I can swear, someday we'll take this other way
I believe that there's potential for a better future where things will improve or change.
Let me crawl up to any big wide road
I am willing to work hard and take baby steps in order to reach a better, more successful place in life.
But I wanna be sure
I am cautious and uncertain about the future and want to make the best decision possible.
Yeah, I wanna be pure
I hope to make positive choices and be the best version of myself that I can be.
And I carry on with an inner storm
Although I may seem strong on the outside, I am really fighting a difficult battle on the inside.
And it's blank around
Despite the chaos and turmoil in my life, the space around me is devoid of problems and is peaceful.
I could stop now
Although I am overwhelmed and exhausted, I know that I can't give up or quit.
But it's another dream my friend
I know that what I'm striving for may seem like a far-off dream, but I am willing to work hard to make it a reality.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
A simple repetition to emphasize the previously stated ideas and themes.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bertrand Lucien Cantat, Denis Guy Marc Barthe, Gay Serge Marius Pierre Teyssot, Jean-Paul Roy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard Ward
For me as a english rock guitarist living in france , THIS TRUE CLASS ! A WONDERFULL BAND !
Richard Ward
WONDERFULL , I LOVE THIS SONG ! ,FOR ME THEIR UP THERE WITH THE BEST ! THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR UPLOADING THIS , i ve done a inferior cover , with my band we recorded live , but its not in the same class but its a GREAT HONOUR TO HAVE IT LISTED ON THE SAME PAGE .
M-2
I can swim, let's dive again
into another screen
I could scream but the silence
is the best scene
I can print, this picture won't tell you
what I mean
Just a prayer for a wanker
I guess it's enough
Well I'm sure it's enough...yeah!
Just a prayer for a wanker
Just a prayer for a wanker
Just a prayer for a wanker
aaaaAAAHHH It's the prayer for a wanker...now!
I can swear, someday we'll take this other way
let me crawl up to any big wide road
But I wanna be sure
Yeah I wanna be pure
And I carry on with an inner storm
And it's blank around
I could stop now
But it's another dream my friend
Monique Duet
Many thanks for having typed the words of this beautiful song !!!
paris S.G
cool de l'avoir remise.... TyZef973
TyZef973
you're welcome!;-)
IXEL
Bertrand avait mal aux cordes vocales 😪
Priscille.
Priscille Froidevaux
Screenless
Christophe Vigan
R