Listening to Amadou & Mariam on Radio Paradise

Amadou & Mariam — Ce N'est Pas Bon

Album: Welcome To Mali
Avg rating:

6.6

Your rating:

Total ratings: 2016

Released: 2009
Length: 3:46
Plays (last 30 days): 3

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L'hypocrisie dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
Démagogie dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
La dictature dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
Du bonheur, du bonheur pour le peuple.
De l'amour, de l'amour pour le peuple.
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.

Les corrompus dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
Les magouilleurs dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
Les dictateurs dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
Du respect, du respect pour le peuple.

De la paix, de la paix pour le peuple.
Le politique trahit ses pères.
Le politique trahit ses amis.
C'est aussi une machine de guerre.
Impitoyable pour ses ennemis.
Il travaille pour lui en disant qu'il travaille pour nous.
Il nous dit merci en pensant à l'avoir qu'il a prit.

Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.

L'hypocrisie dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
Démagogie dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
La dictature dans la politique,
Ce n'est pas bon. Ce n'est pas bon. Nous n'en voulons pas.
Du respect, du respect pour le peuple.
De la paix, de la paix pour le peuple.
Du respect, du respect pour le peuple.

(translation)

Hypocrisy in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Demagogy in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Dictatorship in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Happiness, happiness for the people,
Love, love for the people.
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.

Corrupt men in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Schemers in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Dictators in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Respect, respect for the people.

Peace, peace for the people
Politics betrays its fathers
Politics betrays its friends
It's also a machine of war
No pity for its enemies
He's working for himself while saying that he's working for us.
He tells us thank you while thinking that he's the one who did it.

It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.

Hypocrisy in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Demagogy in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Dictatorship in politics,
It's not good. It's not good. We don't want any.
Respect, respect for the people.
Peace, peace for the people.
Respect, respect for the people.

Comments (104)add comment

Just had the honor of seeing them in Amsterdam last week

The crowd was jumping & jiving, which is rare for a typically-retrained Dutch audience. Amadou did a 10 minute guitar solo that was ROCKIN!

Posted 2 months ago by hayley.barone [ Reply ]

music to my ears!

Posted 3 months ago by pooran.panwar [ Reply ]

timmus wrote:

Very catchy and very well done. I don't understand how these artists aren't known more widely.

RP introduced me to them. Now EIGHT Of their tunes are on "My Favorites " list. That is why we come here. Thanx RP!

Posted 1 year ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

timmus wrote:

Very catchy and very well done. I don't understand how these artists aren't known more widely.

I Agree!

Posted 1 year ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

unclehud wrote:

Love their sunglasses!

They are blind.

Posted 1 year ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

Very catchy and very well done. I don't understand how these artists aren't known more widely.

Posted 2 years ago by timmus [ Reply ]

Love their sunglasses!

Posted 2 years ago by unclehud [ Reply ]

How do you eliminate it though? How? (sincerely)

Posted 2 years ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

Russia invaded Ukraine a few days ago. Apt lyrics for the event. Wars in general as is stated.
Great song.

Posted 2 years ago by kevrey [ Reply ]

As much as I like the music - but then there are a lot of other Malian musicians - the lyrics are way too candid and repetitive and it kinda ruins all their songs for me. I wish I wouldn't understand them.
Their story is fantastic though!

Posted 4 years ago by Mannick [ Reply ]

Thank you R & B :) for putting this on the RP playlist. The story of how they came together is even more inspiring than their music albeit the music is a 7 in my book. What would so many across the world do without RP, particularly during these pandemically difficult times.

Posted 4 years ago by Jamus [ Reply ]

kevrey wrote:

And they may have thought that the message mostly applied to their neck of the woods...

as long as you have politicians you will have this, to a greater or lesser extent.
That's how you get millionaire congress members who have never held a job or owned a business.

Posted 4 years ago by jpfueler [ Reply ]

And they may have thought that the message mostly applied to their neck of the woods...

Posted 4 years ago by kevrey [ Reply ]

Sergio_Lapitz wrote:

VERY GOOD MUSIC !!!!!!!!!!!! MARVELLOUS !!!!!!!! ;) ;--)

Posted 5 years ago by Sergio_Lapitz [ Reply ]

grant wrote:

If you get a chance to see these two (and their crack back-up band) play live - DO NOT miss the opportunity and make sure you wear your dancing shoes. Their live performances are a massive dance groove session.

In the interim, it is highly recommended that you download these songs - Coulibaly, Masiteladi, La Réalité and Sénégal Fast Food - your ears and your toes will be very happy.

Posted 5 years ago by Sergio_Lapitz [ Reply ]

Bill you said "up next is Amadou & Mario" Now I want to play VID games!

Posted 6 years ago by Rockit9 [ Reply ]

I'm so happy I got to know this band from RP. C'est très, très bon et vive la musique africaine !

Posted 6 years ago by eveliko [ Reply ]

A little overplayed, fortunately every sound after that is a remarcable one, every time and again. Me, i am bored of good people with bad government. Azam Ali - Abode (for example) sounded more true to me. My two cents. Gby.

Posted 6 years ago by semaca [ Reply ]

Non, vraiment pas bon ca...

Posted 7 years ago by Gijåm [ Reply ]

ChrisVIII wrote:

7 > 5 . Not that it is overplayed or that I'm getting tired of it, but I suddenly cannot hear anything else than the nosy " de la faim / (de l'espoir ?) / de la faim pour le peeeeuuuuplllleeeee ! " and that makes the song quite annoying now...

Actually, that's "du respect pour le peuple", then "de la paix pour le peuple"

Posted 7 years ago by znaiko [ Reply ]

Johnny_Wave wrote:

Just plain bad

pas bon indeed...

Posted 8 years ago by joempie [ Reply ]

Strange zitego?

Posted 8 years ago by azcarol [ Reply ]

YES!

Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking [ Reply ]

c'est toujours bonne ..merci ....

Posted 9 years ago by Jannne [ Reply ]

Posted 9 years ago by ChrisVIII [ Reply ]

Just plain bad

Posted 9 years ago by Johnny_Wave [ Reply ]

grant wrote:

Thank you for that. I love their music and am hoping they there will be some UK dates at some point

Posted 10 years ago by Tony0600 [ Reply ]

grant wrote:

Thanks for the song tips. I simply love their music!

Posted 10 years ago by tulfan [ Reply ]

Corruption, hypocrites, dictators in the politics: that's what's not good (in a free translation of the lyrics, among other things)

maxmox wrote:

"This is not good" translation

7 for a good groove.

Posted 11 years ago by mauguima [ Reply ]

helgigermany wrote:

Yes, very nice!

"This is not good" translation

7 for a good groove.

Posted 11 years ago by maxmox [ Reply ]

Saire wrote:

Most enjoyable!

Yes, very nice!

Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany [ Reply ]

Posted 11 years ago by grant [ Reply ]

Happy dancey

Posted 11 years ago by paradisepig [ Reply ]

Deliciously Groovy... Mmmmm :)

Posted 11 years ago by kiarash [ Reply ]

Most enjoyable!

Posted 12 years ago by Saire [ Reply ]

Song's tittle translation : that is not good. Indeed. this song is not good...

Posted 12 years ago by guigo [ Reply ]

Going to see them tomorrow.

Posted 12 years ago by jim1964 [ Reply ]

Oui

d-don wrote:

Yet one more reason to love RP. Thanks.

Posted 12 years ago by Krispian [ Reply ]

fredriley wrote:

That's kids for you. What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine ;)
dcrnp as raison - on doit danser, sans doute

. A bas les politiciens e les dictateurs, qui sont toute bâtards. Vive le peuple!

Soulève le poing en accord

Posted 12 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly [ Reply ]

let's hope they aren't in Mali now. It's machete anarchy at this moment.

Posted 12 years ago by TerryS [ Reply ]

Poacher wrote:

This reminds me. . . I lent this cd to my daughter and I have not had it back. Ahhh, the youth of today.

That's kids for you. What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine ;)

dcrnp as raison - on doit danser, sans doute

. A bas les politiciens e les dictateurs, qui sont toute bâtards. Vive le peuple!

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

Yet one more reason to love RP. Thanks.

Posted 13 years ago by d-don [ Reply ]

Je les ai vus chez Floydfest. On doit danser.

Posted 13 years ago by drcrnp [ Reply ]

C'est vraiment bon

Posted 13 years ago by drcrnp [ Reply ]

get the rhythm? love it.

Posted 13 years ago by farley [ Reply ]

This reminds me. . . I lent this cd to my daughter and I have not had it back. Ahhh, the youth of today.

Posted 13 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly [ Reply ]

This is pretty good language exercise for those of us with rusty French as the French is fairly simple and the message is clear - "hope for the people", stuff the politicians and dictators. This pair are really growing on me.

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

J'adore A&M. Can't get enuf!
Axelito wrote:
So true!!!

Asmith wrote:
I am done with this song.............It seems to be played everyday..................

bass000 wrote:

agreed!

Posted 13 years ago by rulebritannia [ Reply ]

Axelito wrote:

So true!!!

Asmith wrote:

I am done with this song.............It seems to be played everyday..................

agreed!

Posted 13 years ago by bass000 [ Reply ]

Pas mal, C'est si bon, n'est pas?!

Posted 14 years ago by nicolewe [ Reply ]

C'est tres-tres bon, MAMADOU!!!

Posted 14 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

Papernapkin wrote:

I think you meant antipathetic.

antipathetic |anËtipÉËθetik|adjectiveshowing or feeling a strong aversion : it is human nature to be antipathetic tochange.ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: from antipathy , on the pattern of pathetic.

You're right, not a native speaker, some wrong spellings sliding over and over... :-)

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat [ Reply ]

Felix_The_Cat wrote:

At the risk of sounding antipathic, to me this song seems to be made with the intention of selling an exotic product.

Posted 14 years ago by Papernapkin [ Reply ]

At the risk of sounding antipathic, to me this song seems to be made with the intention of selling an exotic product.

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat [ Reply ]

Axelito wrote:

So true!!!

Asmith wrote:

I am done with this song.............It seems to be played everyday..................

Ce N'est Pas Bon

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat [ Reply ]

So true!!!

Asmith wrote:

I am done with this song.............It seems to be played everyday..................

Posted 14 years ago by Axelito [ Reply ]

I am done with this song.............It seems to be played everyday..................

Posted 14 years ago by Asmith [ Reply ]

I think the production quality has improved over their last album.

But maybe that's just me - please don't read anything of gopolitical import into it.

Posted 14 years ago by MinMan [ Reply ]

Saw them at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass... they are so fun and super talented!

Posted 14 years ago by sans [ Reply ]

I love their groovy sounds. Very bright mood.

Posted 14 years ago by lancesh [ Reply ]

Great stuff, whether French or Mali :)

And yes, making race jokes here on RP forums is unacceptable.

Posted 14 years ago by Teko [ Reply ]

All right, I'll juste say

then. Mali or France, it's still crap, sorry.

justin4kick wrote:

This is not French music. It's music from Mali sung in French. The language of the colonists from France that occupied Mali at the end of the 19th century. It didn't bring the country much good. Today Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world. If anything is a shame, I think it's the ignorance that is shown by your comment.

Posted 14 years ago by Axelito [ Reply ]

Poacher wrote:

Not funny and racist. Try to think before you post please.

For all you know, I'm a 12-year-old mixed-race child from Blackpool. (I'm sure you thought of that before you posted.) Seriously, I think your stuffy pseudoliberalism is way more repugnant than my irreverent sense of humor, so BIOYA. Did you happen to see Dave Chappelle's bit about a blind, hard-core white supremacist who was somehow never told that he happened to be black? That was actually the source of the joke that I stole, but I'm sure if you saw it, the humor would be completely lost on you. Here's a hint: It's a blind joke, not a race joke. (You should probably also avoid those old SNL reruns, because I think you'll find some reason to be offended by the one about Stevie Wonder playing tennis badly and using a Polaroid camera badly. FYI, that, too, is a blind joke, not a race joke.) There is a contingent of people on the US side of the pond who shrilly suggest that every politically incorrect statement or quip merits some kind of apology or public reckoning. You sound like one of them. Fortunately, in America, those statements (and any related beliefs) are on exactly the same footing as politically correct statements, humorous statements, sacrilegious statements, truly weird statements, and, yes, even racist statements. You obviously aspire to be a true liberal; try opening your mind.

I thought before I posted.

Posted 14 years ago by nate917 [ Reply ]

colt4x5 wrote:

ce n'est pas vrai.

romance languages (such as french) do not recognize the same double-negative rules as english. "ce n'est pas bon" means, simply, "it is not good."

No matter how you slice it; it is just really good!

Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

lophrequa wrote:
romeotuma wrote:
C'est bon pour les oreilles...

oooh nice change-up, wasn't expecting that one!

Same here
This is not French music, as they both come from Mali.
There is quite a detailed comment by a fellow listener below about Mali, and why people there speak French as a result of colonization., should I say still going on?
To the French guy who wants more French music : there is an upload option in your profile, you should try it :)
This said, the language being French seems for some, to be enough to make assumptions such as "fed up with being the european midnight guinea pig for rp. switching channels again". At least it shows where you put Europe on the map.
I do hope you succeeded in not to being a wherever whenever guinea pig just by switching channels.
I do not like Amadou and Mariam music, most of the time. This one song caught me off guard. May be because this time I like the lyrics.

Speaking about content, I've been lucky enough to get to know Fela Kuti's music and even to see him in concert. I feel closer to his music and lyrics.

Posted 14 years ago by ambrebalte [ Reply ]

nate917 wrote:

Interestingly, each one thinks the other is white. Shhhhhhh.

Not funny and racist. Try to think before you post please.

Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly [ Reply ]

WayUpNorth wrote:

From wikipedia:
Amadou & Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Amadou Bagayoko (guitar and vocals) (born in Bamako 24 October 1954) and Mariam Doumbia (vocals) (born in Mali's capital Bamako 15 April 1958). The pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music. Between 1974 and 1980, Amadou played with Les Ambassadeurs du Hotel. In 1980 the couple married and began to play together as well as Amadou continuing with a successful solo career and running the blind institute's music programme.

Interestingly, each one thinks the other is white. Shhhhhhh.

Posted 14 years ago by nate917 [ Reply ]

c'est si bon. i'm loving this tune.

Posted 14 years ago by stevematic [ Reply ]

colt4x5 wrote:

ce n'est pas vrai.

romance languages (such as french) do not recognize the same double-negative rules as english. "ce n'est pas bon" means, simply, "it is not good."

How sad. Another irony-challenged pedant.

Posted 14 years ago by Hannio [ Reply ]

sirdroseph wrote:

No, but you are very close, correct translation is: This is really good.

ce n'est pas vrai.

romance languages (such as french) do not recognize the same double-negative rules as english. "ce n'est pas bon" means, simply, "it is not good."

Posted 14 years ago by colt4x5 [ Reply ]

excellent. this was a great choice.

Posted 14 years ago by ugly [ Reply ]

romeotuma wrote:

C'est bon pour les oreilles...

oooh nice change-up, wasn't expecting that one!

Posted 14 years ago by lophrequa [ Reply ]

Anybody who has been a co-operant (aid worker), a union organizer, a peace and disarmament demonstrator, a 3rd world solidarity activist and for that matter anybody who has traveled extensively or lived in Africa will find some meaning in this song and the way it is sung.

Kinda thinking that the attraction is more universal than I just suggested.

Posted 14 years ago by westslope [ Reply ]

Posted 14 years ago by WayUpNorth [ Reply ]

justin4kick wrote:

Hear hear!

Posted 14 years ago by sub-arctic [ Reply ]

Enjoying this song more as it is being played quite a bit. Also on reading the full translation of the words, I have a better appreciate for the songwriting and its protest message. Originally I thought it was some kind of love story thing and just, well, fluff. Also appreciating the groove the guitar playing gets going. Gone from 6 to 7.

Posted 14 years ago by martinc [ Reply ]

Now I like this, will help me forget the Byrne Head/Talking David previously played....

Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel [ Reply ]

Axelito wrote:

Oui du français....I'm french and this song is a shame for the french music

Posted 15 years ago by justin4kick [ Reply ]

Droidac wrote:

Almost as annoying as Dengue Fever!

Interesting, Dengue Fever drives me batshit, but I love Amadou & Mariam.

Posted 15 years ago by keller1 [ Reply ]

Droidac wrote:

Almost as annoying as Dengue Fever!

I agree with the comparison, but I love both!

Posted 15 years ago by sqqqrly [ Reply ]

joempie wrote:

fed up with being the european midnight guinea pig for rp. switching channels again...

good grief, the narrow minded
who think the world revolves
around them

Posted 15 years ago by philinnz [ Reply ]

fed up with being the european midnight guinea pig for rp. switching channels again...

Posted 15 years ago by joempie [ Reply ]

I like this song. More and more with additional playings.

Posted 15 years ago by paulmack [ Reply ]

mavi wrote:

Beethoven était tellement sourd que toute sa vie il a cru faire de la peinture

Posted 15 years ago by sub-arctic [ Reply ]

Almost as annoying as Dengue Fever!

Posted 15 years ago by Droidac [ Reply ]

"Beethoven était tellement sourd que toute sa vie il a cru faire de la peinture "

Beethoven was so deaf that he always believed to make of the paint(painting)

Posted 15 years ago by mavi [ Reply ]

C'est très bon!

Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond [ Reply ]

Amadou et Mariam - "Ce n'est pas bon" Live

Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1 [ Reply ]

bobcat1963, thanks for taking the time to post the translation!

Posted 15 years ago by tompoll [ Reply ]

I like the multiple layers, the background, foreground, well done hooks — Great stuff

Posted 15 years ago by coding_to_music [ Reply ]

Yep, still love it!

Posted 15 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

great song,

great lyrics, too!

for all who don't understand frenche:

Hypocrisy in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Demagogy in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Dictatorship in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Happiness, happiness for the people,
Love, love for the people.
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.

Corrupt men in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Schemers in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Dictators in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Respect, respect for the people.

Peace, peace for the people
Politics betrays its fathers
Politics betrays its friends
It’s also a machine of war
No pity for its enemies
He’s working for himself while saying that he’s working for us.
He tells us thank you while thinking that he’s the one who did it.

It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.

Hypocrisy in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Demagogy in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Dictatorship in politics,
It’s not good. It’s not good. We don’t want any.
Respect, respect for the people.
Peace, peace for the people.
Respect, respect for the people.

Posted 15 years ago by bobcat1963 [ Reply ]

Mr_O wrote:

I'm french too and I'd like to know for which french music you think it's a shame... Are you refering to Lorie ? Jenifer ? K.Maro ?

I'm sorry, but there are a lot of better (or worth) reasons than Amadou et Mariam to be ashamed for french music.

i don't say it's the only crappy french song but radio paradise is worldwide and this song represents the french music for everyone listening to radio paradise all around the world and I would be better to represent france with artists like the "Daft Punk" or "Les ogres de barback", "La rue Ketanou" and many more...

Posted 15 years ago by Axelito [ Reply ]

martinc wrote:

ce n'est pas bon, doesn't this translate to This is not Good

No, but you are very close, correct translation is: This is really good.

Posted 15 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

"ce n'est pas bon, doesn't this translate to This is not Good" -martinc

Yes.

Notes by Amadou

2 - CE N’EST PAS BON
En politique, l’hypocrisie, la démagogie et la dictature, ce n’est pas bon. Les hommes politiques nous trompent, et ne pensent qu’à leurs profits. Le peuple mérite la paix et le respect, il lui faut aussi du bonheur et de l’amour. Les corrompus, les magouilleurs, ce n’est pas bon, nous n’en voulons pas.

https://www.amadou-mariam.com/

I leave the complete translation to others except to note that the People merit peace and respect.

Posted 15 years ago by westslope [ Reply ]

ce n'est pas bon, doesn't this translate to This is not Good

Posted 15 years ago by martinc [ Reply ]

Don't understand a word of it, but have been playing it for a couple of months now and like it. Like other music from that country too!

Posted 15 years ago by DTERREL [ Reply ]

Axelito wrote:

Oui du français....I'm french and this song is a shame for the french music

Posted 15 years ago by Mr_O [ Reply ]

Wish they'd come to Santa Cruz, absolutely love 'em...

Posted 15 years ago by Sleepytyme [ Reply ]

Oui du français....I'm french and this song is a shame for the french music

Posted 15 years ago by Axelito [ Reply ]

I am surprised that nobody else has left a comment.....I heard this in the background and had to quickly flip to the website to see who it was. I love the beat and rhythm. I would love to hear more from Amadou and Mariam.

Posted 15 years ago by aajarrett [ Reply ]

YEAH!!! singing in french!!!!!!!! Lovely song

Posted 15 years ago by cactus7709 [ Reply ]

Likin' this ... had to see who it was. Think I saw them on Later (jools holland)?

Posted 15 years ago by WayUpNorth [ Reply ]