Reeperbahn is a punk and power pop influenced rock band from Sweden. They r… Read Full Bio ↴Reeperbahn is a punk and power pop influenced rock band from Sweden. They released a self-titled LP in 1979, which featured the locally successful single "Havet ligger blankt" (English: "The Empty Sea") that became their signature song. Later singles and albums proved unable to match the initial appeal, but the group has maintained a loyal fan base; they have continued to play to audiences into the 2010s. They have garnered some international attention after their aforementioned single was featured in the multi-artist musical collection 'Shake Some Action', cited as an example as great non-Anglo-American power pop.

Cherchez La Femme!
Reeperbahn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hon gick en natt på en enslig väg
Och hörde någonting bakom sig
En stark hand tog tag i henne
Och ingen hörde hennes skrik

Var bara lugn jag gör dig inte illa
Det kändes som en evighet
Hon kom först - Han tyckte hon dög

Och när det gick så var han nöjd

Det är natt igen i staden
Och han finns fortfarande kvar
Söker ständigt nya offer
Och fyller på sin statistik

Var bara lugn jag gör dig inte illa
Det kändes som en evighet

Hon kom först - Han tyckte hon dög
Och när det gick så var han nöjd.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Reeperbahn's song "Cherchez La Femme!" describe a woman walking alone on a lonely road at night when she is suddenly ambushed by an attacker. He forcibly grabs her, and despite her screams and pleas, he assaults her. The song goes on to describe the perpetrator's continued search for new victims and his satisfaction after he has attacked them. The lyrics are an indictment of the pervasive and continuing problem of gender-based violence and the vulnerability of women, especially when they are walking alone at night.

While the lyrics are disturbing and unsettling, they are also powerful and poignant. They highlight the importance of addressing the issue of gender-based violence, raising awareness, and empowering women to demand their rights to be safe and respected. The song also encourages people to speak out against violence, advocate for change, and work towards a society that is free of violence and discrimination.

Line by Line Meaning

Hon gick en natt på en enslig väg
She walked alone on a deserted road

Och hörde någonting bakom sig
And heard something behind her

En stark hand tog tag i henne
A strong hand grabbed her

Och ingen hörde hennes skrik
And no one heard her scream

Var bara lugn jag gör dig inte illa
Just be calm, I won't hurt you

Det kändes som en evighet
It felt like an eternity

Hon kom först - Han tyckte hon dög
She was the first - He thought she was good enough

Och när det gick så var han nöjd
And when it was over, he was satisfied

Det är natt igen i staden
It's night again in the city

Och han finns fortfarande kvar
And he's still there

Söker ständigt nya offer
Constantly looking for new victims