Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)
| "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Gojira, Marina Viotti, Victor Le Masne | ||||
| Released | August 30, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2024 | |||
| Genre | Death metal, opera, classical crossover | |||
| Length | 2:53 | |||
| Label | International Olympic Committee / BMG Rights Management | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Joe Duplantier, Victor Le Masne | |||
| Producer(s) | Victor Le Masne | |||
| Gojira singles chronology | ||||
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Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira) is a collaborative single by French metal band Gojira, opera singer Marina Viotti, and composer Victor Le Masne, released on August 30, 2024.[1] The song was commissioned for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where it was performed live in a dramatic spectacle featuring pyrotechnics, orchestral musicians, and revolutionary symbolism.[2]
Background
Gojira made history as the first metal band to perform at an Olympic opening ceremony. The performance took place on July 26, 2024, from the windows of the historic Conciergerie in Paris.[3] The band collaborated with French-Swiss mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti and composer Victor Le Masne to reinterpret the French Revolution-era anthem Ah! Ça ira with modern instrumentation and philosophical themes.
The title combines the Latin phrase Mea culpa ("my fault") with the revolutionary slogan Ah! Ça ira ("It will be fine"), symbolizing a tension between personal guilt and collective hope.
Reception
The performance was widely acclaimed and became one of the most talked-about moments of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Critics praised the fusion of genres and the bold inclusion of metal in a traditionally classical setting.[3] The official video garnered over 6 million views within its first week of release.[2]
The single was featured on multiple editorial playlists, including:[4]
- Apple Music’s Best Songs of 2024
- Metal Workout and Weekend Warriors
- Gojira Essentials
In February 2025, Gojira won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!),” marking their first Grammy win after three previous nominations.[5] Frontman Joe Duplantier dedicated the award to bands “pushing the boundaries” and emphasized the importance of supporting local artists.
Composition
The song blends Gojira’s signature death metal sound with operatic vocals and orchestral arrangements. It opens with chanted refrains of Ah! Ça ira and Mea culpa, layered over heavy guitar riffs and cinematic percussion. Viotti’s operatic delivery contrasts with Joe Duplantier’s growled vocals, creating a dynamic interplay between classical and extreme music traditions.
The track was arranged by Victor Le Masne, known for his work in classical and pop crossover productions.[1]
Lyrics
The lyrics are minimalist and repetitive, emphasizing ritualistic cadence and emotional intensity. Key lines include:
Ah ça ira, réjouis-toi Ah ça ira, le bon temps viendra Ah ça ira, mea culpa
The bilingual lyrics (French and Latin) evoke themes of redemption, revolution, and transcendence.[1]
Personnel
- Joe Duplantier – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Mario Duplantier – drums
- Christian Andreu – lead guitar
- Jean-Michel Labadie – bass
- Marina Viotti – vocals
- Victor Le Masne – arrangement, production
Legacy
Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira) is considered a landmark in Olympic music history, bridging metal, opera, and national symbolism. It has inspired fan tributes, remixes, and digital shrines commemorating its revolutionary aesthetic.
References
- ^ a b c "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) Lyrics". Genius. 2024-08-30. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- ^ a b "Gojira - Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) [OFFICIAL AUDIO]". YouTube. 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- ^ a b "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) by Gojira - Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- ^ "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)". Apple Music. Retrieved 2025-08-14.
- ^ "Gojira Win Best Metal Performance Grammy for "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)"". Consequence. 2025-02-02. Retrieved 2025-08-14.