Culture Clip
Mathieu Chedid aka M
Elisa Noeske
Issue date: 10/19/04 Section: Features
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A few months ago, I had the opportunity to spend a week in Paris. Arguably, Paris is one of the sexiest cities in the world. From their delectable cuisine to the stunning landmarks, the French are some of the leaders in beauty and art. It is fitting then that I fell in love while in Paris. Granted, he is a married man with a child, and I never actually met him but the music of Mathieu Chedid (alias "M") remains with me still.
The Tour de-M CD begins with an orchestral sounding wind trio that resembles a Beethoven quartet until M breaks in with his guitar and from then on until the last track M never stops.
Each song is so different that if not for his recognizable voice you might think you are listening to a compilation CD. Whether singing an upbeat song like "Je Dis Aime" or a ballad like "Faut Oublier," M's voice mesmerizes as it drifts from a throaty belt to a dreamy whisper.
Of course, my one year of college French does little to assist me in translating his often poignant, sometimes sardonic lyrics. Fortunately, his voice transcends the language barrier, and while his lyrics translate culturally, sung in French they have a tantalizing effect.
"Onde Sensuelle" is an up-beat song with a softer message about an unattainable love: "How to reach you?/But how to reach your sensual wave/you who gives me wings."
"Je Dis Aime" is a humorous play on words that translates as "I speak love," but focuses on conflict and a love/hate relationship.
My personal favorite is "Faut Oublier" about the need to forget a painful love. "Dan les oubliettes/de ma sombre pensee which translates to "in the things I have forgotten reside all my darkest thoughts."
His lyrics are as poetic as they are funny as in a song like "Le Complexe du Corn Flakes" where the audience sporadically shouts out "Corn Flake" in response to his verse "J'ai un complexe."
Recently Mathieu received recognition in the States. His soundtrack for the animated film The Triplets of Belleville won several international awards, including the L.A. Movie Critics award. Often photographed in a pink suit with a Mohawk on each side of his head, M's outward appearance may give the impression of a man who doesn't take himself seriously. His music suggests otherwise.
If you have the opportunity to listen to or better yet, watch a DVD of an M concert, don't miss it. And then let me know what you think. I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised.
The Tour de-M CD begins with an orchestral sounding wind trio that resembles a Beethoven quartet until M breaks in with his guitar and from then on until the last track M never stops.
Each song is so different that if not for his recognizable voice you might think you are listening to a compilation CD. Whether singing an upbeat song like "Je Dis Aime" or a ballad like "Faut Oublier," M's voice mesmerizes as it drifts from a throaty belt to a dreamy whisper.
Of course, my one year of college French does little to assist me in translating his often poignant, sometimes sardonic lyrics. Fortunately, his voice transcends the language barrier, and while his lyrics translate culturally, sung in French they have a tantalizing effect.
"Onde Sensuelle" is an up-beat song with a softer message about an unattainable love: "How to reach you?/But how to reach your sensual wave/you who gives me wings."
"Je Dis Aime" is a humorous play on words that translates as "I speak love," but focuses on conflict and a love/hate relationship.
My personal favorite is "Faut Oublier" about the need to forget a painful love. "Dan les oubliettes/de ma sombre pensee which translates to "in the things I have forgotten reside all my darkest thoughts."
His lyrics are as poetic as they are funny as in a song like "Le Complexe du Corn Flakes" where the audience sporadically shouts out "Corn Flake" in response to his verse "J'ai un complexe."
Recently Mathieu received recognition in the States. His soundtrack for the animated film The Triplets of Belleville won several international awards, including the L.A. Movie Critics award. Often photographed in a pink suit with a Mohawk on each side of his head, M's outward appearance may give the impression of a man who doesn't take himself seriously. His music suggests otherwise.
If you have the opportunity to listen to or better yet, watch a DVD of an M concert, don't miss it. And then let me know what you think. I guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised.