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".
The Chameleon
Noir Désir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I stand obscured from view
Whith shining eyes that did not lie
I turn the pages for you
The silent shadow in the night
I smile before I steal
Behind locked doors in emptiness
I am the things you do
Now I am your only friend
You must love the chameleon
Not child, not man, no living thing
You have no time for rest
No thoughts no words to comfort
You
No smile or soft caress
I am the rock the wishing well
The secret to your fear
The lighted candle burning bright
The call from distant years
The lyrics of Noir Désir's song The Chameleon is a portrait of a person who is invisible to others. The singer of the song is like a chameleon, blending in with their surroundings, always changing appearance in order to remain camouflaged. The opening line “Like stars up in a clouded sky” evokes the image of someone who’s shining and yet obscured from view. The singer is seen as someone who isn’t quite visible but nevertheless holds a presence. The hidden identity of the singer is further emphasized in the line “Whith shining eyes that did not lie.”
The chorus of the song is “Now I am your only friend, You must love the chameleon”. This suggests that the singer is someone who hides behind multiple masks and personas, and is someone who ultimately cannot be trusted. The chameleon is a reptile that can adapt to its surroundings and change its colours to blend in, it is a symbol of someone who is deceitful and can change their persona to manipulate others.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the singer is someone who instills fear, and is someone who preys on the insecurities of others. The singer is seen as a figure of darkness, looming ominously and waiting to pounce. The line “I smile before I steal” further emphasizes the ominous nature of the singer. The singer is seen as a shadow figure who operates in the dead of night, preying on the unsuspecting victims.
Line by Line Meaning
Like stars up in a clouded sky.
Just like the stars that get covered by clouds, my true self always remains hidden from others' view.
I stand obscured from view.
I'm always hidden and concealed, keeping my true identity a secret from everyone else.
Whith shining eyes that did not lie.
Though I keep myself hidden, people can notice the gleam in my eyes that reflect my true feelings and intentions.
I turn the pages for you.
I help you turn over a new page in your life by showing you what you need to see or by guiding you in some way.
The silent shadow in the night.
I remain quiet and invisible but always present, like a shadow in the darkness of the night.
I smile before I steal.
I make sure to act charming or pleasant before taking something or deceiving someone, in order to avoid arousing suspicion.
Behind locked doors in emptiness.
I hide in places where people don't expect to find me, behind locked doors or in vacant areas, waiting for the right moment to act.
I am the things you do.
I am the manifestation of your desires, the things that you do and the secrets that you keep hidden.
Now I am your only friend.
You have no one else to turn to but me, as I'm the only one who understands and enables your dark desires.
You must love the chameleon.
You're captivated by my ability to adapt to any situation, and you're drawn to me because of your fascination with the unknown and unpredictable.
Not child, not man, no living thing.
I'm not a child, nor an adult, and not even a living being, but a shape-shifting creature that adapts to its surroundings.
You have no time for rest.
You're constantly pursuing your own desires and pleasures, not bothering to take a break or think about the consequences of your actions.
No thoughts no words to comfort You.
You have no one to turn to or confide in, and so you're left with your own thoughts and words that bring no comfort or solace.
No smile or soft caress.
There's no one to offer you a kind smile or gentle touch, as you're lost in your own desires and the abyss of your own making.
I am the rock the wishing well.
I'm the foundation that enables your dreams and desires to come true, as the rock that supports a wishing well.
The secret to your fear.
I'm the key to understanding and overcoming what you fear the most, as the secret that's kept safe within you.
The lighted candle burning bright.
I'm the beacon that lights up your path and shows you the way, like a brightly burning candle leading the way in the dark.
The call from distant years.
I'm the echo of the past, the memories that call to you from long ago, reminding you of what you once were and what you've now become.
Contributed by Audrey K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@emmanuelc.6960
An excellent cover, indeed. And love Noir Dés' & The Saints till the end 😉 (especially the 2d LPs, weirdly, Veuillez rendre l'âme & Eternally Yours)
@shesfine9426
cover of the Saints... (Australian band of the 80 's)
No bad at all! quite well in fact ! but almost no one of Noir Désir audience knows about it !
@hectorvigo2042
good
@quintofeu6195
yeah dude.. top comment for me :::why the f does no one listen to this...can t believe the world.