Bundle Drum Sheet & Video – Jean-Jacques Goldman – Envole-moi

“Envole-moi,” released in 1984 on the album Positif, is one of Jean-Jacques Goldman’s most iconic songs—a hymn to escape and the search for something beyond, carried by an unforgettable rhythmic energy.

Goldman composed “Envole-moi” at a time when he was looking to write more powerful, almost rock-like songs, to contrast with his softer ballads. Inspired by the anxiety of young people facing a future that seemed fixed and hopeless, he imagined this song as a cry of distress and a plea to be “taken far away from here.” The lyrics portray a young man at a breaking point, begging to be torn from his predetermined fate: “Envole-moi, far from this fate that clings to my skin…”

Musically, Goldman wanted an electric, urgent atmosphere. He built the song’s structure with his close collaborator Michael Jones, centering it around a driving groove that would become its hallmark. For fans of drums, “Envole-moi” is a true gem: Manu Katché, the drummer, strikes with a mix of power and restraint, creating palpable tension. The snare hits ring out like warning shots, the toms add a sense of desperate momentum, and the cymbals punctuate each buildup with brilliance. The drumming is at the heart of the song’s dramatic rise in the chorus, giving it its irresistible surge.

On stage, “Envole-moi” took on even greater life. Goldman performed it for the first time during his Positif Tour in 1984, where it quickly became a highlight. In later concerts—at venues like Bercy, the Zénith, or during his joint tours with Michael Jones and Carole Fredericks—the song was often extended with instrumental bridges that let the drummer truly shine. These live versions gave the audience a chance to chant the chorus together, driven by an explosive rhythm section.

For drum fans, “Envole-moi” shows how a beat can express flight, fear, and hope all at once. It’s not about pure technical display, but a lesson in musicality, where every strike serves the emotion of the lyrics. A song that makes you want to drop everything… and take off.