Are you curious what L’aventurier lyrics in French actually means and what’s the English translation of the song?
This song is one of the best French songs of all time and considered one of the best works of Indochine.
RELATED READ: 24 Famous French Songs That You Must Listen To
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L’aventurier Lyrics in French ( With English Translation)
About the song
The song “L’Aventurier” by Indochine was released in 1982, a track from the band’s album of the same name. It got as high as No. 4 on the music chart in France.
In its lyrics, L’Aventurier conjures up the universe of Bob Morane (from the adventure book series by Henri Vernes’) by referring to characters Bill Ballantine and Miss Ylang-Ylang.
The song also references the titles of some of his books. In addition to this, the song made allusions to other works of Vernes, such as “La Couronne de Golconde” (Crocodiles).
Nicola Sirkis, the frontman of Indochine, during an interview with Figaro, described how he came up with the idea for this song. He stated that he finished writing “L’Aventurier” in four hours.
According to Sirkis, the band was in the midst of their journey at that time. During a break, he proceeded to look through the books he had brought back from Belgium and eventually came across the Bob Morane book series.
He thought the titles of the books were fantastic, and they were a good match for their music. Consequently, he took all of the titles of all of Henri Vernes’ works, shifted them about, and rearranged them into a tale through his music.
Other parts of the lyrics in “L’Aventurier”, on the other hand, sprang straight from Nicola Sirkis’ mind such as “Operation Nadawieb.” Some were also taken from Henri Vernes’ other works of fiction.
Most of these books mentioned were a part of the collection that he had amassed during his time spent in Uccle, Belgium, up until the time when he was 15 years old.
The Aguessau studio in Paris was used to record not just this song but also numerous others that are included on the album L’Aventurier.
They made their first recordings in September 1982, during a session that was intended to be focused entirely on the production of their debut single, which was titled “Dizzidence Politik.”
However, Didier Guinochet, who was their producer at the time, credited the song “L’Aventurier” with being the deciding factor in whether or not to finance Indochine’s first album.
The song was positively received, and music critics praised it for having a sound that was “ultra-danceable, bouncy, and joyful pop rock.”
Meanwhile, journalist Rebecca Manzoni notes that “L’Aventurier” begins with a ritornello that is influenced by Asian culture. Then, it is accompanied by experimental sounds, which are subsequently followed by a guitar riff composed by Dominique Nicolas that makes it easier to identify the song.
That innovative arrangement and unique sound are the reasons why “L’Aventurier” is one of the most famous French songs. Even today, when someone is asked about the band Indochine, “L’Aventurier” is almost always the first song that comes to mind in their response.
L’aventurier French Lyrics
Egaré dans la vallée infernale
Le héros s’appelle Bob Morane
A la recherche de l’Ombre Jaune
Le bandit s’appelle Mister Kali Jones
Avec l’ami Bill Ballantine
Sauvé de justesse des crocodiles
Stop au trafic des Caraïbes
Escale dans l’opération Nadawieb
Le coeur tendre dans le lit de Miss Clark
Prisonnière du Sultan de Jarawak
En pleine terreur à Manicouagan
Isolé dans la jungle birmane
Emprisonnant les flibustiers
L’ennemi est démasqué
On a volé le collier de Civa
Le Maradjah en répondra
Et soudain surgit face au vent
Le vrai héros de tous les temps
Bob Morane contre tout chacal
L’aventurier contre tout guerrier
Bob Morane contre tout chacal
L’aventurier contre tout guerrier
Dérivant à bord du Sampang
L’aventure au parfum d’Ylalang
Son surnom, Samouraï du Soleil
En démantelant le gang de l’Archipel
L’otage des guerriers du Doc Xhatan
Il s’en sortira toujours à temps
Tel l’aventurier solitaire
Bob Morane est le roi de la terre
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L’aventurier English Lyrics and Translation
Lost in the infernal valley
The hero is called Bob Morane
Seeking a yellow shadow
The villain is called Kali Mister Jones
With friend Bill Ballantine
Saved at crocodiles
Stop traffic in the Caribbean
Stop in the operation Nadawieb
The tender heart in the bed of Miss Clark
Prisoner of the Sultan of Jarawak
In full terror at Manicouagan
Isolated in the Burmese jungle
Imprisoning the pirates
The enemy is unmasked
They stole the necklace of Shiva
The answer in Maradjah
Refrain:
And suddenly emerges facing into the wind
The real heroes of all time
Bob Morane against all jackals
The adventurer against all warrior
Bob Morane against all jackals
The adventurer against all warrior
Drifting aboard Sampang
The adventure-scented Ylalang
His nickname, Samurai of the Sun
Dismantling the gang Archipelago
The hostage of the warriors of Doc Xhatan
They will always leave on time
As the lone adventurer
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.