Ecoute-moi, camarade…
A friend at the Magpie Coffee showed me the Radiooooo app today–and this is what came up. Maybe you know the song from Rachid Taha’s cover (on Diwan 2).
It’s pretty desperate:
oh friend, listen to me
forget that girl
you hear me
she’s going to make you sick
and you are going to hurt for a long time to come
I know very well, that you love her
you have given her your soul
I know very well, that you love her
you have given her your soul
Turns out, wouldn’t you know, that he is singing to himself.
then who is this friend?
I speak alone
no one is there
yes, it’s me, the friend
the poor bastard
here I am
Taha’s version is more upbeat–and with a dose of irony:
I miss Taha. He brought back a lot of old songs and performers. He had an expressive voice, fine rhythmic sense and clear political consciousness. I always waited with anticipation for his next disk until–one time–I learned he was gone.