Contemple comes from the verb contempler, meaning to contemplate, gaze at, or behold. It's a more reflective and deliberate action than simply looking.
In the song, after a fast-paced description of constantly rushing, the lyrics shift to a moment of pause: "Venez on s'arrĂȘte / Et on ferme les yeux / On contemple la mer / On contemple les cieux." This word beautifully captures the essence of slowing down and truly appreciating the world around us, making it a powerful and memorable contrast to the song's main theme of constant movement.
In âOn Courtâ â French for "We run" â Yannick Noah paints a lively portrait of modern life as an endless sprint. We dash to work, leap onto trains, chase love and money, and keep the clock spinning until we forget where the brakes are. The repetition of on court (we run) mirrors the hamster-wheel rhythm of our days, while child-like images ("comme des gosses") reveal how lost we feel in the rush.
Suddenly, Noah changes the beat with a warm invitation: "Venez on s'arrĂȘte" â Come, letâs stop. Close your eyes, watch the sea, gaze at the sky, walk back the way you came, then drop everything and dance. The song turns into an uplifting reminder that time is precious only when we choose to live it, not chase it. With breezy reggae-pop vibes and a smile in his voice, the former tennis champion urges us to slow down, breathe, and rediscover joy in the simple act of standing still.