Born in the French town of Sedan on 18 May 1960, Yannick Noah grew up with a rich mixed African and European culture at home, living with his Cameroonian father, Simon, and French mother, Marie-Claire. The family returned to Cameroon in Yannick's early childhood after his father, a professional football player, was seriously injured in an accident. The Noahs took up residence in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé, in 1963, but retained close links to France throughout their stay.
Listening to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley in his teenage years, Yannick soon developed a real passion for music. But the young teenager also appeared to have inherited his father's sporting talent. Yannick proved to be an absolute wizard on the tennis court and, encouraged by a couple of teachers, he spent hours on the courts training his front and backhand. His long hours of training were soon rewarded, too. Yannick's talent was spotted by legendary American tennis star Arthur Ashe and he won a return ticket to France, where he got the benefit of a professional coaching-and-education programme at the French Tennis Federation in Nice.
Spending long months away from his family and friends back in Cameroon weighed heavily on the 11-year-old's shoulders, but his passion for music helped him overcome these early years of exile and solitude. And the intensive training proved worth it in the end. For Yannick went on to enjoy a brilliant sporting career on the tennis courts, winging his way into the record books and tennis fans' hearts when he won the French Open at Rolland Garros in 1983.
On the courts, in the charts
After establishing himself as one of France's most popular tennis stars, Yannick took early retirement from the courts and turned his attention to music. This was a particularly challenging route to go down, given that other French sports celebrities who had attempted to reinvent themselves as pop stars had ended up failing miserably. In 1990 Yannick kicked his career off in style, however, recording a single called "Saga Africa". His record company took the cunning step of signing a deal with the privately-owned TV channel TF1 and his video ended up being broadcast regularly on the channel in between programmes and adverts.
Needless to say, "Saga Africa" rocketed to the top of the French charts within a few weeks of its release and thousands of French music fans found themselves humming the catchy chorus line on the way to work. And in 1991 when Yannick captained France's national tennis team to victory in the Davis Cup, trainers and players broke into an impromptu performance of "Saga Africa" as they went to receive their trophy!
Yannick's debut album "Black & What", released later that year, certainly benefited from the popularity of "Saga Africa" (not to mention the French team's victory dance at the Davis Cup!) Featuring lyrics in French, English and Cameroon dialect – written by Noah himself – and contributions from a host of leading music stars including Manu Dibango, Kamil Rustam and Idrissa Diop, "Black & What" went on to sell a very respectable 600,000 copies.
Following the release of the album, Yannick turned his attention back to the courts for a while, coaching the French women's team to victory in the Fed Cup in 1996.
The pop star with a big heart
Meanwhile, Yannick put his celebrity status at the service of several French charities, investing a huge amount of time and effort in humanitarian causes such as the "Association des enfants de la terre." This organisation, set up in collaboration with his mother in 1988, provides a temporary home for children in need. Yannick also plays the role of patron and major fund-raiser for "Fête le Mur", an association which gives free use of sports facilities to children and teenagers from under-privileged backgrounds. (Yannick is often to be found on the courts, racket in hand, in fact, giving tennis lessons to the youngsters!) Raising funds for a variety of charities including his own associations and the feed-the-homeless organisation "Restos du cœur" and starring in a number of TV adverts, Yannick rarely seems to be off the screen.
Yannick's frequent appearances on French TV did not appear to help sales of his second album, however. Released in 1993, "Urban Tribu" (inspired by the work of John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix and recorded in English) failed to make any sort of impact on the French charts, despite the massive promotional campaign masterminded by Yannick's record label. Yannick took to the road to promote his new album nevertheless, embarking upon a major national tour with his group Zam Zam. The "Urban Tribu Tour 93" featured some 40 dates and Yannick's on-stage charisma worked just as well on the stage as it did on the courts!
Parallel to his hectic recording and sporting career, Yannick also finds time to spend with his family. He is the proud father of four young children - Yoachim and Yelena from his first marriage with Cécilia Rhode (Miss Sweden 1978) and Elyjah and Jenayé from his current marriage to top model Heather Stewart-White. (All currently live in New York).
Somewhere in the midst of his hectic schedule, Yannick also found time to write his autobiography, "Secrets etc…" (published by Editions Plon in April 1997). In the book he meditates on the nature of fame and what role celebrities can play, defending his decision to reveal something of his personal life sometimes. "I may choose to give people a glimpse into my personal life every now and then, but it's never done in a spirit of immodesty or provocation. I'm simply trying to show how, by accepting yourself as you are and admitting your weaknesses as well as your strengths, you can work towards building your own happiness. And that is always a first step towards contributing to others' happiness as well!"
Yannick returned to the music news in the summer of '97 with a new single entitled "Oh rêve". Needless to say, his audacious adaptation of "La Marseillaise" - originally written by Rouget de Lisle in 1792 and adopted as the French national anthem - was bound to ruffle a few feathers. Yannick's pacifist reworking of "La Marseillaise"'s war-like and ultra-patriotic message was not to everyone's liking. Indeed, several war veterans' associations protested against the tennis hero's new version.
Back in the charts
Three years later Yannick returned to the studio to work on a new album. Recorded between Paris and the Cameroonian town of Kribi and released in September 2000, Yannick's eponymous new album was destined to put him back at the top of the charts. "Yannick Noah" also found the former tennis star paying tribute to his African roots. The first single release from the album, "Simon Papa Tara", was specially dedicated to his late grandfather, a village wiseman whom Yannick claimed appeared to him in a vision one night in 1985 and changed the course of his life.
Yannick's celebration of his African origins on this album was reminiscent of the spirit of "Saga Africa" – and it proved to be every bit as successful with the French public. The famous dreadlock-coiffed pop star invited a host of prestigious songwriters and composers (including Jean-Jacques Goldman, Jean Kapler and Eric Benzi) to work on his new album and the result was a superb fusion of African and European influences. Yannick described his catchy, original sound as 'Afro-reggae'. "Les Lionnes", the second single release from the album, confirmed the album's popularity with the French public, rocketing to the top of the charts shortly after its release.
After taking part in the Ricard Live Music tour in July and August 2000, Yannick hit the live circuit again at the end of the year, supporting David Hallyday at the Olympia on 5 December. The following year he appeared at the "Fête de la musique 2001" and returned to the Olympia on 2 July, this time round as the headlining star. In October 2001 Yannick went on to perform a special fund-raising concert for "Les Enfants de la terre" and then kicked off an autumn tour, bringing the house down at Le Zénith in Paris on 21 November.
In 2002 Yannick Noah continued touring and performed in many summer festivals. Very keen on stage performance, he and his faithful team of musicians try to give their audience—which is often composed of many children—the best of themselves.
2003: "Pokhara"
In June 2003 he performed as curtain raiser at Johnny Hallyday’s tour of the French stadiums. Then at the end of August he released a new album entitled "Pokhara" after a town in Nepal. Penned by Eric Benzi, Jean Kapler and Jacques Veneruso, the tracks were tailored to Yannick Noah’s style, producing a result very similar to that of his former album. The first single was called "Si Tu Savais".
The album went on to sell over a million copies.
2004 was taken up with an extensive tour, which included a concert at the Paris-Bercy Omnisports stadium in October 2. It was also the year his partner Isabelle gave birth to his son Joalukas.
In early June 2005, Yannick Noah released an album entitled "Métisse(s)", which was half live and half new material. It included a duet with Diziz la Peste, another with Jamaican artist Jimmy Cliff, and a cover of Téléphone's "la Bombe humaine". Over the summer, he kicked off an acoustic tour with dates at the Casino de Paris from June 27 to July 2, and the Grand Rex from July 6-7.
In the autumn of 2006, Noah returned to the music spotlight with a new album, "Charango" (named after a traditional string instrument from Bolivia). This album, on which he recruited the services of the same songwriting and composing team as on his previous albums, found the former tennis star looking to Latin America for inspiration and making full use of distinctive Latin American rhythms. "Donne moi une vie", the first single release from the album, was soon followed by "Aux arbres citoyens", a topical environmental wake-up call.
Noah hit the road again in May 2007, embarking upon a major French tour.
*
The Yannick Noah story is a lesson in how a famous sports personality has successfully reinvented himself as a singer/musician. Yannick's on-going popularity with the French public is also fuelled by his public commitment to his personal principles. Promoting peace, tolerance and solidarity through his music as well as his charity work, Yannick Noah has proved to be a pop star with a heart of gold.
Redemption Song
Yannick Noah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfil de book.
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Redemption songs.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfil de book.
Won't you help to sing
Dese songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever had
Redemption songs
All I ever had
Redemption songs
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.
The lyrics to Yannick Noah's Redemption Song are both powerful and inspiring, telling a story of past injustices and struggles for freedom, while also urging listeners to take action and work towards a better future. The first couplet, "Old pirates, yes, they rob I / Sold I to the merchant ships" emphasizes the exploitation of African slaves and their treatment as commodities. The reference to the "bottomless pit" could refer to the conditions on the slave ships or to the oppressed and hopeless state of the slaves. However, the singer persists, stating that his hand was made strong "by the 'and of the Almighty," and that he moves forward "triumphantly" with the next generation.
The second verse takes a more contemporary approach, urging listeners to "emancipate yourselves from mental slavery" and not to be afraid of potential risks, such as atomic energy. The statement "none but ourselves can free our mind" emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and action towards individual and collective liberation. The final section pleads with the audience to join in the singing of these "songs of freedom" and continue the fight towards redemption and justice.
Line by Line Meaning
ld pirates, yes, they rob I
I was taken by pirates who robbed me of my freedom and sold me to merchants.
Sold I to the merchant ships,
I was sold to the merchant ships after being taken by the pirates.
Minutes after they took I
I was taken away just a few minutes after the pirates captured me.
From the bottomless pit.
I was taken from a dark and terrible place.
But my hand was made strong
My experiences have given me strength and resilience.
By the 'and of the Almighty.
I have been given strength by a higher power.
We forward in this generation
We must move forward and continue to progress.
Triumphantly.
We can overcome our challenges and ultimately triumph.
Won't you help to sing
Join me in singing.
These songs of freedom?
Let's sing songs that represent freedom and liberation.
'Cause all I ever have
The only thing I truly possess.
Redemption songs
Songs that evoke redemption, hope, and freedom.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Free yourselves from mental, emotional, and psychological oppression.
None but ourselves can free our minds.
We are the only ones who can truly liberate ourselves mentally.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
Do not be afraid of the power of things like atomic energy.
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
These things do not have the power to stop time or progress.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
For how long will our leaders and visionaries be silenced or taken from us?
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
We cannot simply stand by and watch while this happens.
Some say it's just a part of it
Some people may say that this is just the way things are.
We've got to fulfil de book.
We must do what is necessary to fulfill our destinies and make a change.
Dese songs of freedom?
These are songs that represent freedom and liberation.
All I ever had
The only thing I truly possess.
These songs of freedom,
These songs evoke the spirit of freedom and liberation.
Songs of freedom.
These are songs that represent freedom and liberation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aayan munchi
[Intro]
Hmm-hmm-hmm
Hmm-hmm-hmm
Hmm-hmm-hmm
Yeah, ah
Hmm-hmm-hmm
Hmm-hmm-hmm
[Verse 1]
Old pirates, yes, they rob, I
Sold I to the merchant ships
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly
[Chorus]
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm)
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm)
[Verse 2]
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them can stop the time
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it
We've got to fulfill the book
[Chorus]
Won't you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm)
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm)
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm)
[Bridge]
In every way now
In every day now
In every way now
In every day now
[Chorus]
Won't you help to sing
Another song of freedom? (Help to sing)
Help to sing, that's the song of freedom
Won't you help to sing
Another song of freedom? (Songs of freedom)
'Cause all I ever have
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm)
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm, yeah, oh-oh)
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm, oh-oh)
Redemption songs (Hmm-hmm-hmm, oh-oh)
Songs of freedom
BETTY CHAN
Chansons de Rédemption: Anglais/Français
Old pirates yes they rob I
Ces vieux pirates oui m'ont volé
Sold I to the merchant ships
M'ont vendu aux marchands d'esclaves
Minutes after they took I from the bottomless pit
Quelques minutes après qu’ils m’aient enlevé du puits sans fond
But my hand was made strong by the hand of the Almighty
Mais ma main a été solidement créé par la main du Tout-Puissant
We forward in this generation triumphantly
Nous avançons dans cette génération triomphalement
Won't you help to sing
Ne veux-tu pas m’aider à chanter
These songs of freedom
Ces chansons de liberté
Cause all I ever have
Parce que tout ce que j’ai
Redemption songs
C'est des chansons de rédemption
Redemption songs
Des chansons de rédemption
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Émancipez-vous de l’esclavage mental
None but ourselves can free our minds
Nous seuls pouvons libérer nos esprits
Have no fear for atomic energy
Ne craignez pas l'énergie atomique
Cause none of them can stop the time
Car personne ne peut arrêter le temps
How long shall they kill our prophets
Combien de temps vont-ils tuer nos prophètes
While we stand aside and look
Pendant que nous nous tenons à l’écart et regardons
Some say it's just a part of it
Certains disent que c’est juste une partie
We've got to fulfil the book
Nous devons accomplir la prophétie
Won't you help to sing
Ne veux-tu pas m’aider à chanter
These songs of freedom
Ces chansons de liberté
Cause all I ever have
Parce que tout ce que j’ai
Redemption songs
C'est des chansons de rédemption
Redemption songs
Des chansons de rédemption
Redemption songs
Des chansons de rédemption
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
Émancipez-vous de l’esclavage mental
None but ourselves can free our minds
Nous seuls pouvons libérer nos esprits
Have no fear for atomic energy
Ne craignez pas l'énergie atomique
Cause none of them can stop the time
Car personne ne peut arrêter le temps
How long shall they kill our prophets
Combien de temps vont-ils tuer nos prophètes
While we stand aside and look
Pendant que nous nous tenons à l’écart et regardons
Yes some say it's just a part of it
Oui certains disent que c’est juste une partie
We've got to fulfil the book
Nous devons accomplir la prophétie
Won't you help to sing
Ne veux-tu pas m’aider à chanter
These songs of freedom
Ces chansons de liberté
Cause all I ever have
Parce que tout ce que j’ai
Redemption songs
C'est des chansons de rédemption
All I ever have
Tout ce que j’ai
Redemption songs
C'est des chansons de rédemption
These songs of freedom
Ces chansons de liberté
Songs of freedom
Chansons de liberté
yann garri
Très très belle reprise chanté par un chanteur au grand coeur... et n'en déplaise à certaines personnes !!!! Continue comme ça Yannick... ces musique égaient nos vies !!!
Dominique Dupuy
J'aime beaucoup cette reprise chantée par Yannick, la musique est très rythmée et cela donne vraiment envie de danser. Bravo Yannick !
Valentin Risbourg
Merci à Yannick Noah de faire découvrir l'univers de Bob Marley à des gens qui ne connaissaient pas toutes ses chansons. Merci !
Pample Mou
Personnellement je trouve que sa donne une nouvelle vie à la musique, même si je n'ai jamais arrêté d'écouté la vrai ♥
MrKathyJane
Wonderful song and beautiful video ! Thank you Yannick !
sandouism
Je suis amoureux de ce morceau de Bob depuis sa sortie. Et je trouve que Noah a su lui donner une nouvelle vigueur très roots, voire Rude Boys. Je ne pense pas que que Marley l'aurait désaprouvé. L'essentiel, c'est que le message perdure.
Calo
Belle reprise Yannick super çà va songer cet été.
Bahia Preveraud
Super reprise de Bob Marley une si belle légende unique dans ce monde merci Yannick Noah!
Cocolou mam'
magnifique chant d'espoir et de pardon Freedom rédemption
SEIFERT CARINE
Idem !! avec ce temps et ce monde pourri tu mets les écouteurs...tu fermes les yeux;.....et enfin tu te souvies que la vie est belle!!! Merci Yannick