Mertens studied social and political science at the University of Leuven (graduating in 1975) and musicology at Ghent University; he also studied music theory and piano at the Royal Conservatories of Ghent and Brussels.
In 1978, he became a producer at the then BRT (Belgian Radio and Television). For Radio 2 (Radio Brabant) he produced concerts by Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Meredith Monk, Urban Sax, and others, and hosted a program called Funky Town together with Gust De Meyer (with whom he recorded the experimental CD For Amusement Only).
Known primarily as a composer since the late 1970s, Mertens is best known for his opus "Struggle for Pleasure", which was chosen as an anthem in advertisements for the Belgian mobile phone operator Proximus. He is also well known for his piece "Maximizing the Audience", which was composed for Jan Fabre's play The Power of Theatrical Madness, which premiered in 1984 in Venice, Italy.
Mertens' style, while continually evolving during the course his prolific output, touches veins of minimalist, ambient and avant-garde, usually however preserving a melodic fundament to the forays that he makes into the worlds that he is exploring.
Mertens' music was used in the 1987 Peter Greenaway film The Belly of an Architect, along with that of Glenn Branca. It was also the soundtrack to "Nós Que Aqui Estamos por Vós Esperamos" (Here We Are Waiting for You) directed by Marcelo Masagão, winning the Best Music category at the 2000 Miami Brazilian Film Festival.
Mertens also recorded under the name "Soft Verdict", and is the author of American Minimal Music, which looks at the school of American repetitive music.
In March 1998 Mertens became the Cultural Ambassador of Flanders.
For him language is a very important influence on musicians or artists in general. Born in Belgium only a few people would have understood his songs, so they do not contain any language spoken, he invented his own. So people who listen to his music feel his intentions and not his language
The Fosse
Wim Mertens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ne ne ni fe ne soe,
no no no ne si ni ve te.
No no no ne si fi,
ne ne ni fe ne soe,
no no no ne si ni ve te.
The lyrics to Wim Mertens' song "The Fosse" may seem confusing at first glance, but upon further analysis, they can be seen as a form of nonsense language or gibberish. This could be interpreted as a representation of the chaos or confusion in the world around us, with words and thoughts jumbled together and lacking clear meaning or direction. The repetition of phrases and use of nonsensical syllables also creates a sense of cyclical movement, as if the singer is trapped in a never-ending loop of confusion.
Alternatively, it's possible that the lyrics are meant to be interpreted in a more abstract or emotional way, with the nonsensical language representing a state of mind or feeling rather than a literal message. The repetition of certain syllables could be seen as a sort of cathartic chanting or release of emotions, with the singer attempting to find some sort of clarity or peace in the chaos around them.
Overall, the lyrics to "The Fosse" are open to interpretation and could be seen as a representation of the challenges and confusion we all face in life, whether on a literal or emotional level.
Line by Line Meaning
No no no ne se fi,
There is no trust, no faith in this world.
ne ne ni fe ne soe,
There is no truth, no honesty, no justice.
no no no ne si ni ve te.
There is no love, no compassion, no empathy to be found.
No no no ne si fi,
There is still no trust or faith, even in oneself.
ne ne ni fe ne soe,
There is still no truth, honesty, or justice to be found within oneself.
no no no ne si ni ve te.
There is still no love, compassion, or empathy within oneself.
Writer(s): Wim Mertens Copyright: Usura Sprl
Contributed by Josiah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Floris1963
I can't get enough of this pure beauty. I get tears each time. For decades now. Unbelievable. The true and genuine master.
@donnachick2494
Thanks for writing these perfect words.
@franciscopoezia
P
@Colectvlajuncia
❤
@stefaniaroncari7002
ce morceau est la quintessence de l'esprit d'une chorale: incantatoire et hipnotique..très poétique
@Alligator42748
Et je lisais je ne sais où sur YouTube que Mozard aurait tout piqué à sa pauvre sœur.
Les gens qui nous sortent de telles débilités ne voient pas à quel point la musique réunis tous les humains, hommes & femmes du plus petit à plus âgé.
Que c'est au delà de tout le language de l'amour qui s'exprime et se partage.
@benedictecazalets4492
@@Alligator42748❤❤❤❤a❤a❤
@ingeverbeke8220
Wim zooo mooi stuk dit lied, heb u gezien in de stadschouwburg te sint niklaas waasland. Al meer dan 10 jaar geleden.
twas fantastisch 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
@jonnevandijk8455
sceaming out my soul!!!
@laureline5499
Je viens de pleurer, le corps envahi de frissons incontrôlables....
Merci!