It’s Sunday night and I am listening to Zouk music.

What is Zouk music?

Zouk is a musical movement pioneered by the French Antillean band Kassav' in the early 1980s. The music blends a variety of Caribbean, African, and North American music styles. It is characterised by frequent use of French Antillean Creole language, the prominence of electronically synthesized sounds, and sophisticated recording technology.

Zouk is from the island of Martinique and Guadeloupe (our sister island).

I was listening to Zouk love when I realised I’ve never shared anything here about Zouk love music.

Today, I am going to share with you some of my favourites songs. A bit of Zouk, Compas, and Salsa music. In Martinique, we are influenced by all the islands around. We listen to different genres of music.

I have to warn you I am old school when it comes to Zouk love. I preferred the old songs. In my opinion, the lyrics are more profound and the melody more authentic. Back then, the singers were singing with all their heart.

Let’s start with one of my favourites singer: Giles Floro. He is a popular French Antillean zouk love singer from the island of Guadeloupe. All his songs are profond. I like this one particularly because it’s Salsa.

Did I tell you that I wanted to be a Salsa Instructor when I was in my twenties? Yes, before I moved to the UK.

Back then, I was in a Latin dance group and I performed twice on stage in Martinique. I remember dreaming about being a professional Salsa dancer and Instructor. Clearly, it was not the plan of God for me.

An extract translated in English: As a flower with a fragile beauty. Evening butterfly as divine. You were there… And if we took the time to get closer even for a moment. Those eyes. I promise you I won't forget them. Even if it's just a moment I beg you take me in your arms. On the moon near the dunes I promise to stand up to you.

It’s so beautiful. Ouh la la…

In this song, he speaks Creole, French, and Spanish. It’s perfect, the melody, the lyrics, and the singer. Greatest singer of the French Caribbean.

To me his best song it’s the one below.

I translated an extract in English: "A photo of a young man falling from a tired drawer. Feelings that have started that I cannot control. We were young and you were beautiful. Outside the rain is falling and the memories came back. We were young and you were beautiful. You can remember Caramel we were playing hopscotch and a kiss was stolen? Can you remember Caramel the fireflies race while it was raining? A wet kiss was to dream. I love you. Come back."

Caramel is the name of the girl. The story is about a broken promise. It’s deep. They made a promise when they were children, but the girl now adult seems to have forgotten this promise. The song is beautiful and sad at the same time.

I remember seing the fireflies at night when I was in “Le Lorrain” in my grandparents’ house in the countryside. I had good memories with them. Living in the Caribbean it’s something else. Life was simple and full of love. They both passed away a long time ago. I still love them and I carry them in my heart. I am grateful for the moments we shared together.

Now, a song from Haïti. I used to listen to their music when I was in High School. I used to take a bus to go to Frantz Fanon High School in “La Trinité” city in Martinique. I had so much fun with my classmates and my friends back then.

The music genre is Compas. Compas music is a popular Caribbean style of dance that originated in Haiti. We listen to Compas music in Martinique. The most famous bands of Compas are Tabou Combo, Magnum band and Les Frères Déjean.

When I was growing up all I could hear in my house was Compas. 

Two people separated by fate. She lost her husband. He is saying to her I am still with you. I am next to you.

In Haïti, they speak French and Haïtian Creole. It’s similar to the Creole that I speak, so I can understand. Creole is widely spoken in the islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, Dominique, Saint Marteen, and Haïti.

There are some differences but we can understand each other.

Creole is such a beautiful language.

Let’s move on a song in Creole of Jean Marie Ragald. He is from Martinique.

It’s Zouk love.

The title can be translated “I want to see you” or “I want to meet you”. It’s the story of a man who wants to talk to a woman, but he does not have the courage to do it. He is scared of being rejected.

I translated an extract for you: “Since the day I saw you in the street, I have feelings. I dream that I speak to you, but time goes on. I can’t talk to you because I am scared to be rejected. One day, I will talk to you, I will dare talking to you to tell you that I want you. Every day, I look at you and you look at me. We don’t talk. I want to get to know you. I hope that one day I will be able to tell you that I want to meet you, to say hi to you, and to get to know you…”

I really enjoy listening to music in Creole.

I believe it’s the true language of my heart.

Another one of Jean Marie Ragald in French. It’s Zouk love.

The title: You are my island.

I translated an extract for you: "You are my island. You are my island and in your heart I ran aground. I will never leave. Running away from his unhappy days, where I did not know love and the fire of your eyes. Hurt like a fragile creature, on your land I am on exile. You are my island.”

Ooooooooooowwww!

Isn’t that beautiful? She is his island.

L’amour, l’amour et encore l’amour. It’s the most beautiful feeling in the world.

It’s important to trust God with that if you want to have a relationship on good foundations.

If you are a man: pray, trust in God and let God lead you to your wife.

If you are a woman: pray, trust in God, and let Him lead your husband towards you.

I know it’s not easy to wait on God. You can be tempted to do things yourself, but it’s not worth it. You want the real thing. You want a relationship blessed by God. You want love that grows with time, because God is at the center of your marriage.

Trust Him.

He knows when the time is right.

Avec tout mon amour…