2000, 2003, 2006. The least that can be said is that the reproduction cycle of Zimpala is set on quite a regular basis. And finally, the last born is arrived. Three years after “The Breeze is Black”, “Honeymoon” is having quite an impact on the evolution of the Bordeaux Collective, which has more or less turned into a “band” lately. But let’s trace back their out-of-the-ordinary and smart career…
2000, “Almaviva”. First piece of work under the banner of Platinum Records. Frédéric Beneix (alias DJ BNX) gathered some of the Bordeaux Electro Scene new talents. Founder and co-producer of the project, DJ BNX, already known as the label manager of FANTOMAS, embodied, as well as for the two following albums, the role of the determinant Art Director. Thanks to his talented Ear, David Walters, Benja & Fatalis (alias The Film), Anton & Noémie, Bordono & Arnaud Pierret became ZIMPALA. Their way of mixing sound samples and acoustic instruments creates a cinematic electro music, clearly attracted to world percussions, Jazz and to the most sensual dance floors. Baseball, one of the album titles was chosen to become the background music of a Motorola commercial. Dan, from Captain-Studios, is the artist behind the classy design of the album. He’s been in control of the Zimpala image ever since.
2003, “The Breeze is Black”. Another amplified success. Both “Adios” and “Sugar” from the album, got successfully broadcast by radio stations. At that time, Zimpala still claimed to be a collective, which finally seemed to make sense, despite the numerous sources of creation. A new collaborator joined in. His name was Antoine Boistelle (Alias AntOne). “The Breeze is Black” ended up compiled worldwide, and especially by Costes 6. The impact in the United States was quite remarkable and the album got released in Germany, Spain, Ausralia, Ukraine, Russia, Japan and Canada as well. DJ BNX found himself in charge of a boundless promotion that made the Zimpala crew play in the best Parisian clubs (Alcazar, Queen, Favela Chic, Bataclan…), and tour in Mexico, Russia and the United States. Zimpala clearly helped Electro Music get a permanent visa to the world of sensuality and dream.
2006, “Honeymoon”. Still directed by DJ BNX, whose choice of the remixers was crucial, the preparation of the album took place in a more structured way. In the first place, Zimpala realized that Noémie was to be The Voice, which features on most of the songs, in English and in French for two titles. The tone remains suave, more touching and yet kinky (Le pays d’Alice). Most of the titles were composed by AntOne, Anthon and Noémie, with no more hiding of their taste for distinguished pop Songs. During the recording sessions, the Tarantino-like imaginary latinos burst proud and loud (She’s from Mexico, Honeymoon), while crystal-like guitars, playful keyboards, carrying and efficient bass-guitars made the movie showing more beautiful than ever.
But “Honeymoon” does not leave Bordono’s Jazz desires aside either (For a waltz), as well as it features the peculiar, yet striking, voice of the gypsy Jonathan Pisa (Hasta la vista), Arnaud Pierret’s bass and the dark-groovy half-sung/half-spoken lyrics of Benja (The party, Into the maze).
Finally, this “Honeymoon” suits all weddings. Again, wedding between Men and Machines; wedding between traditional music (Hasta la vista) and a luminous soft-pop (Fall in the water); marriage between raw and synthetic; marriage between the murmur of a voice with the beats that invite to dancing (Trop méchante, Into the maze, The party)…
Zimpala walks around, free, searching for adventure. Such a wild antilope, makes the savannah look so much more beautiful…It is about time we (re)-discover her !
Fall In The Water
Zimpala Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
came in your circle and you wrote my thoughts.
Sex on the bits and sex on the streets,
What you take me for,
I should have known.
You give me work until later by later,
You changed my mind
Fall in the water, (3x)
you keep me down.
Maybe you smile everytime I cry.
What's your problem, you have problem with me?
It makes you stronger,
when I am in (your) bed with. (2x)
Fall in the water, (3x)
You keep me down.
Fall in the water, (3x)
You keep me down.
Mix on the bid and sex in the streets,
what you take me for,
I should have known.
You give me work until later by later,
you changed my mind,
I should have known.
Fall in the water, (3x)
You keep me down.
Chorus again
The lyrics of Zimpala's song "Fall in the Water" depict a story of a person who moved to the city and fell into the wrong crowd. In this new circle, someone starts writing their thoughts, plying them with sex both in private and public spaces. The singer initially falls for this person's charm but later realizes they have been used and manipulated. The line "You keep me down" in the chorus signifies the person's feeling of being trapped and unable to break free from the manipulator's hold.
The second verse denotes the manipulator's sadistic tendencies as they seem to derive pleasure from the singer's pain. They smile even when the singer is crying, and in fact, the singer's emotional turmoil makes them stronger. The phrase "Fall in the water" is repeated multiple times, implying that the singer is drowning in their feelings, unable to escape the manipulator's hold.
Overall, the lyrics of "Fall in the Water" showcase how easy it is to fall in with the wrong crowd and how manipulative and cruel people can be.
Line by Line Meaning
Came to the city,
I came to the city and entered your circle where you infer my thoughts.
came in your circle and you wrote my thoughts.
I entered your circle where you manipulated my thoughts.
Sex on the bits and sex on the streets,
You manipulate me and control every aspect of my life.
What you take me for,
What is your perception of me as a person?
I should have known.
I had a hint that you were not what you pretend to be.
You give me work until later by later,
You keep me busy and delay my escape.
You changed my mind
You manipulate me to have a different perspective.
Fall in the water, (3x)
I sink deeper into your trap.
you keep me down.
You hold me down and prevent me from escaping.
Maybe you smile every time I cry.
You find joy in my suffering and pain.
What's your problem, you have a problem with me?
What are your issues with me, why do you dislike me?
It makes you stronger,
My pain and suffering gives you strength.
when I am in (your) bed with. (2x)
When I am vulnerable and in your grasp.
Mix on the bid and sex in the streets,
You control every aspect of my life.
Chorus again
Repeating the chorus to emphasize my entrapment.
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.