Their songs sound rather African (they often use African insturments, like the conga and djembe). The most remarkable thing about Treble is that half their songs are sung in English and the other half in their own 'Treble-language', which they invented because Djem and Niña didn't speak English at the time.
In September of 2003 they released their first single 'Ramaganana', which (after having performed the song in record stores and live on television) peaked at the number one spot of the Dutch charts in January. Following their highly successful 'No Trouble' tour, they released their debut album ('No Trouble') in May of 2004. At the same time their second single ('Magic / Free as a Bird') was released. Although it wasn't as successful as their first single, it was still a minor hit, peaking at #33 in the Dutch charts. Their third single ('Fragile') didn't chart at all.
Their second album is expected to be released in 2006. They also plan to release it in the rest of Europe.
On March 12th 2006 Treble won the Dutch National Songcontest Finals with 72% of the votes with their song "Amambanda". They performed this song on May 18th 2006 at the semi-final of the Eurovision Songcontest in Athens in which they finished 20th.
Eurovision Song Contest 2006 Semi-Final - Athens
Sang in Position: 17
Final Position: 19
Total Points: 22
Free as a Bird
Treble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta go to New York
Gotta see what life's like on Broadway
Walking Colorado
Jump in the river all the way to the bay
Of San Francisco
Height Street on your feet down the hill Lombard Street
Namaste kuchie kuchie hotahe
When I'm on my way every day
Free as a bird
On my way every day
I'm flying so high
Namaste
Gotta go to India
Gotta see what life's like in Bombay
Walking Himalaya
Jump in the Ganga all the way to the banks of Varanassi
Move on take a boat down the coast to the tribes of Africa
Nagades
When I'm on my way every day
Free as a bird
On my way every day
I'm flying so high
Nagades
Gotta go to Senegal
Gotta play the rhythm on the djemb'
Kolia mana gana mapa dand'
Leia poepoe corenana
When I'm on my way every day
Free as a bird
On my way every day
I'm flying so high
Kolia mana gana mapa dand'
Leia poepoe corenana
In Treble's song "Free as a Bird," the lyrics speak of a desire for adventure and travel. The first verse mentions going to New York and experiencing life on Broadway. The second line refers to walking in Colorado, then jumping in the river to reach San Francisco. The lyrics then mention going overseas to Asia and using the greeting "Namaste" when arriving (a Hindu greeting meaning "I bow to the divine in you"). This verse speaks of going on a journey and experiencing life to the fullest.
The second verse continues with this theme of travel and experiencing different cultures. It mentions going to India and seeing what life is like in Bombay, then walking in the Himalayas and jumping in the Ganga river to reach Varanasi. The lyrics mention taking a boat down the African coast and encountering the Nagades tribe. The final lines speak of going to Senegal and playing the rhythm on the djembe, a traditional West African drum. The lyrics convey a sense of adventure and exploration, with the singer feeling free like a bird while traveling to all these different places.
Overall, the song "Free as a Bird" is about the desire to experience the world and all it has to offer, to travel and see different cultures, and to feel free while doing it.
Line by Line Meaning
Gotta go to New York
I have a strong desire to visit New York
Gotta see what life's like on Broadway
I want to experience the vibrant and theatrical lifestyle of Broadway
Walking Colorado
Taking a stroll in the beautiful state of Colorado
Jump in the river all the way to the bay
Swim across the river and reach the bay in San Francisco
Of San Francisco
Refers to the bay and the city of San Francisco
Height Street on your feet down the hill Lombard Street
Take a walk from the steep Height Street to the famously curvy Lombard Street downhill
Over sea to Asia
Travel across the sea to Asia
Namaste kuchie kuchie hotahe
A greeting in Hindi, meaning 'do you feel something?'
When I'm on my way every day
Whenever I set out to travel
Free as a bird
I feel unburdened and unrestricted, like a free bird
On my way every day
Every day, I'm on my way to new adventures
I'm flying so high
I feel ecstatic and excited, like I'm flying high in the sky
Gotta go to India
I am curious to experience India
Gotta see what life's like in Bombay
I want to explore and understand the culture and life of Bombay
Walking Himalaya
Taking a walk in the majestic Himalayan mountains
Jump in the Ganga all the way to the banks of Varanassi
Swimming across the Ganges river till the banks of Varanasi
Move on take a boat down the coast to the tribes of Africa
Travel by boat along the African coast to meet and learn about different African tribes
Nagades
African tribes
Gotta play the rhythm on the djemb'
I have a desire to play the rhythm on a traditional African drum called djembe
Kolia mana gana mapa dand'
African words expressing gratitude and joy
Leia poepoe corenana
African words expressing celebration and happiness
Contributed by Elijah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.