La Mer
About
La Mer is the eleventh track from the Left side of the double disc The Fragile. It begins with a piano solo and near the middle of the song the drums begin playing a jazz loop. This is one of the few songs of Nine Inch Nails that is played with almost all acoustic instruments. At the end of the song all the music and sounds reach a point that build a sonic atmosphere.
Lyrics
The lyrics are spoken by Denise Milfort in creole French. It is one of the many NIN songs that includes the phrase "Nothing Can Stop Me Now", and one of the few to include a vocalist other than Trent.
Appearances
- The Fragile
- And All That Could Have Been (DVD/VHS)
Versions
- La Mer (Version)
- La Mer (And All That Could Have Been)
Song Credits
- Vocals: Denise Milfort
- Drums: Bill Rieflin
- Cello: Willie
Influences
It can be argued that the song is heavily infuenced by the Debussy version of the same name. Both songs build up to create a sonic atmosphere, and both are (obviously) titled the same. It is very similar to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles, in that it layers many, many instruments to induce atonality and the said sonic atmosphere.
Lyrics
Creole French
Et il est un jour arrivé
Marteler le ciel
Et marteler la mer
Et la mer avait embrassé moi
Et la délivré moi de ma caille
Rien ne peut m'arrêter maintenant
English Translation
And when the day arrives
I'll become the sky
And I'll become the sea
And the sea will come to kiss me
For I am going
Home
Nothing can stop me now