So I’m an Anglophone, but there’s a handful of Francophone Canadian tracks I’ve found and dug hard. This is one of them, from Keith Kouna hailing from Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC.
Any of our Quebequois friends want to tell us more about this guy? The only thing I know is I heard this on a French radio station once, and it immediately went on the ‘skateboarding down stuff very fast’ playlist.
He made (IIRC) a kid CD only on YouTube named Kid Kouna
He is (or was) produce by Le Pantoum
I’m a francophone and listen to a lot of music in French (both Acadien and Québécois) but I’ve never heard of this guy! Dig the track, it sounds like if Philippe Katerine tried to do punk!
QC friend here. I like this guy. The only thing I know is that he was in the band “Les Goules” (a punk rock group, I think) before being solo. I think I saw a post about him going on tour with his old band but if you like his songs, you might like his old band’s songs.
From his songs I also like the lyrics of https://youtu.be/Cu4eSBztwmg
Oh shit, thank you for sharing this one! I had actually heard it before, loved it, but had totally forgotten about it. Another banger, even if I have no clue what the lyrics mean.
Will need to check out Les Goules.
You can try to translate the lyrics with AI if you really want.
Here’s the translated lyrics from another one of his songs that I like. “Oublie ça” (forget about it). I like that the song is a bit silly. I used deepseek “Translate those lyrics from Québec’s french to english. I want a full translation.”.
Here’s a complete translation of the lyrics from Québec French (Joual dialect) into English, preserving the raw, colloquial tone and meaning:
Verse 1: I was at peace and I was relaxed Leaned against the pinball machine Wouldn’t you know it, this big thug walks in His eyes sunk in bean grease (lookin’ wasted) He grabs a beer and comes over to me Starin’ me down from head to toe
“You got some boots there, boy I like ‘em just like that… Bet they’re Kodiacs C’mere, you little fucker I’ll show ya, we’re gonna have some fun I got a bike chain that packs a punch I’m takin’ your boots, you’re done for…”
Chorus: Me, I told him: “Forget it” He socked me one I slapped him back He socked me another one I gave him my Kodiacs
Verse 2: I was at peace and I was relaxed Nice and leaned against the bar Wouldn’t you know it, this big thug walks in Orders himself a big glass of hard liquor Then he nudges my shoulder a bit And stares at me thinkin’ he’s funny
“You got a coat there, kid That ain’t crap, I know my stuff Man, I’m freezin’ on my Ski-Doo With that, I’d go on crazy rides Get yourself behind the Shell station I’ll rearrange your face with a shovel I’m takin’ your coat, one-two-three…”
Chorus: Me, I told him: “Forget it” He socked me one I socked him back He socked me another one I gave him my coat
Verse 3: I was at peace and I was relaxed Fix’n up my scooter in the parking lot Wouldn’t you know it, this big thug rolls up On his fancy, prize-winning Harley He parked right next to me Kept his helmet on to talk to me
“You got some real bum’s pants there All worn out, flashy, they’re cool Bet they’re Robertos Like the real Hell’s from Toronto Get yourself behind the shed I’ll show ya I’m tough enough I’m takin’ those pants and then I’m gonna…”
Chorus: Me, I told him: “Forget it” He landed a good one on me I gave him a headbutt He landed two or three good ones I gave him my pants
Outro: The bottom line of this song, deep down Is when you’re at peace and you’re relaxed Don’t hang around bars too much, my guy If you’re dressed to the nines (like a Pope) ‘Cause when you get to the end of a song And there’s nothin’ left, not even your shoes It ain’t funny, no no, my little fool To get taken by big thugs.
The only mistake that I saw, without spending too much time on it, it that for “I gave him my Kodiacs” the AI thought that he meant “(i.e., kicked him with them)”, while it’s actually being defeated and giving the boots.
Fair enough - considered it before but particularly with songs, I’m worried about missing context/mistranslations, particularly where figurative language or wordplay is involved. That and I try to avoid stuff like ChatGPT (though I’d be a little more OK with translation by a self-hosted LLM), but that’s just a me thing.
You’re right. It can be useless if nobody double check it and even then, it will never be the same.
