Tellier's first album, L'incroyable Vérité (The Incredible Truth), was released in 2001. Tellier went on tour with Air in support of the album. The track " Fantino" off the album was chosen by Sofia Coppola for the soundtrack to her 2003 film "Lost in Translation". Tellier followed L'incroyable Vérité with his second studio album Politics (2005). A particularly popular song from Politics was "La Ritournelle", a string-led tune, which featured Nigerian drummer, Tony Allen of Fela Kuti fame. "La Ritournelle" was remixed by various artists, notably in Britain by Metronomy.
Since the release of Politics, Tellier has also recorded an acoustic album of his more popular songs, Sessions (2006). The album was repackaged for the British market as Universe (2006), to include both highlights from the French CD, as well as compositions from Tellier's score for the film Narco.
His third studio album Sexuality was produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk. Like his previous album Politics, Tellier used a single term as title and theme of the album.
On 7 March 2008, it was announced by Bruno Berberes, head of EBU delegation in France, that Tellier would represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. It was held in Belgrade on 24 May 2008. Tellier sang "Divine". This was the first time in the history of the contest that the nominated French entry was to be performed largely in English, which caused controversy, leading to Tellier pledging to increase the amount of French in the song prior to the competition itself.
Mauer
Sébastien Tellier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ich konnte solo Tennis spielen
Leider du bist nicht mehr da
Jede Veränderung bringt leid
Mauer
Hoffnung gerade hinter Dir
Opfer eines falschen Verlaufs
Spielt die Geschichte mit Menschen?
Ich vermisse Power leben
Ist dies ihre Rache?
Ist Freiheit Untergangquelle?
Mauer
Ohne dich, freier fühle ich mich
Bitter ist die Geschichte
Darf ich sagen, ich liebe dich
Warum bin ich so traurig?
Darf ich sagen, ich liebe dich
In "Mauer," Sébastien Tellier expresses feelings of sorrow and loss after a change has occurred in his life. He begins by stating that he used to play tennis alone, but unfortunately the person he played with is no longer around. He then reflects on how every change brings pain. The song title, "Mauer," means "wall" in English, and it's likely that the wall is a metaphor for the barrier between him and the person he misses.
Tellier then talks about hope being just behind the wall. It's possible that he's still holding onto the possibility of reconciliation or reunion, despite the changes in the relationship. The lyrics then take a darker turn as he muses on whether people can become pawns in a game played by history. He longs for a powerful and fulfilling life, but wonders if his desire for freedom will be his downfall.
The song ends with a mix of beautiful and heartbreaking lines as Tellier admits that he feels freer without the person he misses, but also bitterly notes that their story has not been a happy one. He wonders if he can even say "I love you" as he struggles with the sadness he feels. Overall, "Mauer" is a powerful reflection on the complexities of relationships, the pain of loss, and the longing for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Ich konnte solo Tennis spielen
I used to be able to play tennis alone
Leider du bist nicht mehr da
Unfortunately, you're not here anymore
Jede Veränderung bringt leid
Every change brings suffering
Hoffnung gerade hinter Dir
Hope is right behind you
Opfer eines falschen Verlaufs
Victim of a wrong course of events
Spielt die Geschichte mit Menschen?
Does the story play with people?
Ich vermisse Power leben
I miss living with power
Ist dies ihre Rache?
Is this her revenge?
Ist Freiheit Untergangquelle?
Is freedom a source of downfall?
Ohne dich, freier fühle ich mich
Without you, I feel freer
Bitter ist die Geschichte
The story is bitter
Darf ich sagen, ich liebe dich
May I say that I love you?
Warum bin ich so traurig?
Why am I so sad?
Darf ich sagen, ich liebe dich?
May I say that I love you?
Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PeterCooperUK
It just struck me how some of Within by Daft Punk sounds a bit like the intro to this, Rhodes piano as well. This is definitely one of the hidden gems on Politics.
@gregoryfontaine18
It's true for 'Within' keyboard sound ! GG ! 👍
@RIKAAR_Ambient
Mauer
Ich konnte solo Tennis spielen
Leider du bist nicht mehr da
Jede Veränderung bringt leid
Mauer
Hoffnung gerade hinter Dir
Mauer
Opfer eines falschen Verlaufs
Spielt die Geschichte mit Menschen?
Ich vermisse Power leben
Ist dies ihre Rache?
Ist Freiheit Untergangquelle?
Mauer
Ohne dich, freier fühle ich mich
Bitter ist die Geschichte
Darf ich sagen, ich liebe dich
Warum bin ich so traurig?
Darf ich sagen, ich liebe dich
@albemouff618
Who said German was an ugly language ? :)
@alexnoon8042
It is.