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.
Wonderafrica
Sébastien Tellier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down in the savannah
Oh lord
I can see baby lions playing with their pawns
I can see mother lion filing her claws
Eating banans under the sun
Ladylove on the land, happier than life
Waiting tomorrows near river Mara
Love takes you by surprise, you did not know before
The wind was so so wild
Oh lord
Flights of flamingos ready for love
Birdies on hippos, somebody's love
Tumbling monkeys, it's the season of love
The whole Phaco family wiping the floor
Secrets of fauna sound in the night
The eyes of a cheetah shine a moonlight
Oceans and diamonds calling for rite
Of sleepy animals when everyone hides
Love takes you by surprise, you did not know before
The wind was so so wild
Oh love
Down the savannah, there's so real a love
Oh mini Africa, it's so animal
The wind was so so wild
Oh love
Echoes of Africa, you didn't know that before
Down the savannah, it's so animal
The wind was so so wild
Oh love
The song "Wonderafrica" by Sébastien Tellier is a poetic tribute to the natural wonders of Africa. The lyrics describe a journey through the savannah, where the singer is awestruck by the beauty and vitality of the animal kingdom. The refrain, "Wonders in Africa, it's so real a love," suggests a spiritual connection between the singer and his surroundings. The use of the term "love" throughout the song suggests that the singer finds a deep sense of fulfillment in his connection to nature.
The first verse of the song describes the singer's admiration for a family of lions. The image of baby lions playing with their paws is a charming and innocent one, and the mother lion filing her claws hints at something more dangerous lurking beneath the surface. The second verse depicts a scene of monkeys playing together in what the singer describes as the "season of love." The refrain repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the emotional depth of the singer's connection to Africa.
Overall, "Wonderafrica" is a vivid and passionate tribute to the natural world. The singer's use of the term "love" to describe his connection to Africa suggests that he believes that there is a fundamental unity between all living things, a oneness that he experiences in his own heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Wonders in Africa, it's so real a love
Africa is full of amazing sights and experiences that inspire feelings of true love
Down in the savannah
In the grassy plains of Africa
Oh lord
An exclamation of wonder and awe
I can see baby lions playing with their pawns
I observe young lions playfully interacting with their small claws
I can see mother lion filing her claws
I witness a mother lion sharpening and filing her talons
Eating banans under the sun
Consume bananas while basking in the sunlight
A million umbrellas together as one
An enormous expanse of leafy trees that provide shade like a vast umbrella canopy
Ladylove on the land, happier than life
The joy of a female animal on the land is indescribable and intense
Waiting tomorrows near river Mara
Anticipating the future near the Mara river
Love takes you by surprise, you did not know before
Feelings of love can suddenly and unexpectedly overwhelm you
The wind was so so wild
The gusty wind was powerful and fierce
Flights of flamingos ready for love
Flocks of flamingos are preparing to mate
Birdies on hippos, somebody's love
Birds perch on the backs of hippopotamuses, a display of animals in love
Tumbling monkeys, it's the season of love
Monkeys playfully roll around during their breeding season
The whole Phaco family wiping the floor
The Phaco family group sweeps the ground with their tails
Secrets of fauna sound in the night
The hidden sounds of nocturnal wildlife fill the air
The eyes of a cheetah shine a moonlight
Cheetah eyes gleam in the moonlight
Oceans and diamonds calling for rite
The vast natural beauty of Africa beckons for ceremonies and rituals
Of sleepy animals when everyone hides
The subdued animals rest and hide away during this time
Down the savannah, there's so real a love
The vast savannah landscape is full of genuine love
Oh mini Africa, it's so animal
The miniature version of Africa is just as wild and animalistic
Echoes of Africa, you didn't know that before
Reflections of Africa can reveal new, unexpected things
Oh love
An exclamation of love and appreciation
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevehall2187
Probably the best thing he's ever done.
@petitlakam
J'adore cette chanson , elle me rend joyeux :D
@alotofconcordes9977
I cant remember if I bought album this in Paris or London.
@cdevienne1
j'adore
@ubiquitouswigger
great takes me back to 2005 when rob da bank and Giles Peterson began making la ritournal known to us.