Ronde De Nuit

In "Ronde De Nuit," Manu Chao paints a vivid and somber picture of a city that has lost its vibrancy and soul. The song opens with the image of a sleeping city, where millions of people lie submissively in their beds. The word "SOUIMIS" (submissive) sets the tone for the rest of the song, highlighting a sense of oppression and control over the city's inhabitants.

The lyrics then shift to the desolate streets, where the only sound is the old homeless man under the bridge. The once lively streets are now empty, with the "apaches" (a term historically used to describe Parisian street gangs) locked away in prison. The calmness of the city is described as so intense that it feels rotten, leading to the exclamation, "PARIS VA CREVER D'ENNUI!!!" (Paris will die of boredom). This line captures the essence of the song, lamenting the loss of the city's nocturnal energy and spirit.

Manu Chao criticizes the ruling authority, represented by the "baron" who wants everyone to go to bed quietly. The absurdity of the rules, such as banning squeaky beds and tolerating snoring, underscores the ridiculousness of the control imposed on the city's nightlife. The song then takes a revolutionary turn, invoking the French national anthem, "La Marseillaise," to rally against the tyranny of the elected "bouffon" (buffoon) who has taken away Paris's "nuits blanches" (sleepless nights). The song ends with a plea to return the city's vibrant nightlife, as Paris is dying from the lack of it.

"Ronde De Nuit" is a powerful critique of the suppression of cultural and social freedom, using Paris as a symbol of a broader struggle against authoritarian control. Manu Chao's lyrics resonate with anyone who has experienced the stifling effects of such control and longs for the return of a more liberated and lively environment.