Libertine (song)

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“Libertine”
“Libertine” cover
Single by Mylène Farmer
from the album Cendres de Lune
Released April 1, 1986
Format 7" single
7" maxi
Cassette
Digital download (since 2005)
Recorded 1986, France
Genre Pop
Length 3:30
Label Polydor
Writer(s) Text : Laurent Boutonnat
Music : Jean-Claude Déquéant
Producer Laurent Boutonnat
Mylène Farmer singles chronology
"Plus grandir
(1985)		 "Libertine"
(1986)		 "Tristana"
(1987)
Alternate cover
First cover
First cover
Cendres de Lune track listing
"Libertine"
(1)		 "Au Bout de la nuit"
(2)
Les Clips track listing
"Plus grandir"
(2)		 "Libertine"
(3)		 "Tristana"
(4)
En concert track listing
"Ainsi soit je..."
(5)		 "Libertine"
(6)		 "Mouvements de lune (Part 1)"
(7)
Dance Remixes track listing
"Pourvu qu'elles soient douces"
(2)		 "Libertine"
(3)		 "Je t'aime mélancolie"
(4)
Live à Bercy track listing
"L'Autre..."
(7)		 "Libertine"
(8)		 "L'Instant X"
(9)
Music Videos I track listing
"Plus grandir"
(1)		 "Libertine"
(2)		 "Pourvu qu'elles soient douces"
(3)
Les Mots track listing
"Plus grandir"
(2)		 "Libertine"
(3)		 "Tristana"
(4)
RemixeS track listing
"California"
(8)		 "Libertine"
(9)		 "Optimistique-moi"
(10)

"Libertine" is a 1986 song recorded by the French artist Mylène Farmer. Third single from her first studio album Cendres de Lune, the song was released on April 1, 1986.

In 2002, the song was covered by Kate Ryan.

Contents

[edit] Mylène Farmer version

[edit] Background and writing

The song was inspired by a rock music, "L'Amour tutti frutti", composed in 1984 by Jean-Claude Déquéant. It had not achieved success at the time, but was appreciated by the duo Farmer / Boutonnat who wanted to use it for their next song. When Farmer did tests of singing on the music, she repeated "Je suis une putin" ("I am a whore") in the refrain ; that inspired Boutonnat for the theme of the song.[1] Two vinyl's covers were released : the first one, in April, shows dark-haired Farmer wearing an orange robe, and the second one, in June, using an image from the videoclip with red-haired Farmer with a pistol in her hand. The song became a hit, fortunately, because Polydor, the record label of Farmer, could at any time break off the contract signed with the singer for two albums if the song had not been successful. In addition, the song allowed the album Cendres de Lune to be a success.[2]

At the time, various remixes were produced by Boutonnat to the nightclubs. An English version of the song, "Bad Girl", was recorded, but unlike "My Mum Is Wrong", it was not released as a single because the recording was not very conclusive.[3]

The song was performed on 1989 and 1996 concerts tours. It was also included in a medley during the Mylenium Tour.

[edit] Lyrics and music

"Libertine", one of the few songs whose lyrics were not composed by Farmer, contains many explicit references to sexuality.[4] Some phrases are very obscure or seem inconsistent.[5]

[edit] Music video

[edit] Production

Produced by Polydor and directed by Boutonnat, the video was shot in five days at the Château de Ferrières and Château de Brou in France, with a budget of about 46,000 euros (76,000[6] or 300,000 euros[7] according to other sources). Farmer said at the time that the video had a derisory cost in comparison with the effect it has produced[8]. Presented on June 18, 1986 in preview at the cinema of the Champs-Elysées, this music video was the first one whose length was so long (10:53).[5]

It is said to be the first instance of full frontal nudity made by a singer on a major music video.

It was inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film Barry Lyndon.[3] Most of the extras were actually employees of Polydor and Movie Box.[9]

Sophie Tellier, who plays the Woman in Red, was one of Farmer's dancers and also appeared in other singer's videos. She would also play Farmer's enemy in the video Tristana.

Appropriately enough, Rambo Kolawski, the man who raped Farmer's character in the video for Plus grandir, also appears as the man she kills in the duel.

[edit] Plot

The action takes place in mid-18th century France.

Libertine (Farmer) is a young woman who dresses as a man and spends her time in debauched parties. [10] When the film begins she and a man are about to engage in a duel with pistols, witnessed by a Woman in Red. Libertine kills the man and runs away on a white horse, while the shot man's lover, the Woman in Red, threatens revenge.

Later, in a castle, Libertine has a bath with two other women, anatomies on full display. They then dress, Libertine in male attire, and go to a banquet hall filled with people engaged in various pleasures. A man sends Libertine a message and follows her to an upstairs room, rejecting the Woman in Red's advances. The man and Libertine make love. (At this stage Farmer is shown fully naked, including full frontal, and the music stops to give way to sounds evoking eroticism (moans, cries of wolves).)

When Libertine returns to the party she is attacked by the Woman in Red. They fight violently and some blood flows. Libertine, seriously hurt by a fireplace poker, and the man manage to escape on horseback, but the Woman in Red stages an ambush with accomplices and they are killed. The two murdered bodies are shown in close-up.[11] [12] [13]

[edit] Viewings

The video was aired on many TV channels, but sometimes in a shortened version removing the scenes of violence and sex. The character played by Farmer embodies "the liberal ideas of the [18th century], to the borders of vice and the loss of self", engaging in "extremes practices", such as the "sadomasochistic relationship" with the man. Thanks to this daring video, Farmer gained star status in France.[14]

At the time, she had explained in an interview that she was bare in this video, but that it was for the first and the last time.[15]

[edit] Critical reception

"Libertine" was generally well-received by contemporary media. France Soir considered this song has "a little music that puts in a good mood from the awakening".[16] The video was much discussed in the media and caused the stir.[17] It was described as a "detonating videoclip",[18] "a real gem directed as a mini-movie",[19] the music video "the most complete and the longest",[20] "more a mini-movie than a videoclip",[21] "the videoclip the strongest of the year".[22]

[edit] TV and chart performances

Farmer performed the song in numerous TV shows at the time, between January 20, 1986 and January 22, 1987. With more than 25 appearances in different programmes on various French and Belgian channels (TF1, Antenne 2, FR3, RTBF Belgium, La 5, RTL TV), "Libertine" is to date Farmer's song which was the most promoted on television. At certain performances, she also sang - in playback - "Maman a tort" and "Greta" and was sometimes interviewed.[23]

In France, the song debuted at the bottom of the singles chart (#43) on August 30, 1986. It gained a fews places every week and reached #10 on October 25. The song managed to remain for 12 weeks in the top 20 and for 20 weeks on the chart.[24] The song was certified Silver disc in 1986 by the SNEP.[25] It was thus the first Farmer's top ten hit, becoming a very popular song in France over the years and one of the ten best-selling singles of the singer.

[edit] Covers

Several artists covered the song including :

  • Ludwig Von 88, in 1994.[26]
  • Edwige Chandelier, one of the dancers on the Farmer's 1989 tour, in 1996, for the album Les Plus Belles Chansons françaises - 1986.[27]
  • Les Enfoirés, in 2000. The song was performed by Liane Foly, Karen Mulder, Axelle Red and Michèle Laroque and their version is available on the album Enfoirés en 2000, released on February 28, 2000.[28]
  • Kate Ryan, in 2003. Her version is the best known of all these covers (see below).
  • Les Dindes Suprêmes, in 2007.[29]

[edit] Formats and track listings

7" single - First cover - France

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (3:30)

B-side :

  1. "Greta" (4:45)
7" single - Second cover - France

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (3:30)

B-side :

  1. "Greta" (4:45)
7" maxi - First cover - France

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (3:30)

B-side :

  1. "Libertine" (remix) (4:35)
  2. "Greta" (4:45)
7" maxi - Remix club - France

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (remix special club) (5:55)

B-side :

  1. "Libertine" (remix) (4:35)
  2. "Greta" (4:45)
7" maxi - Sountrack - France

A-side :

  1. Duel (2:20)
  2. Thème (3:22)
  3. Libertinages (1:35)

B-side :

  1. Marche funèbre (3:14)
  2. "Libertine" (instrumental) (3:33)
7" single - Promo - France

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (single version) (3:30)

B-side :

  1. "Greta" (4:45)
7" maxi - Remix club - Promo - France

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (remix special club) (5:55)

B-side :

  1. "Libertine" (remix) (4:35)
  2. "Greta" (4:45)
Digital download
  1. "Libertine" (album version - Cendres de Lune) (3:49)
  2. "Libertine" (album version - Les Mots) (3:30)
  3. "Libertine" (1989 live version) (12:00)
  4. "Libertine" (1996 live version) (5:40)
  5. "Libertine" (carnal sins remix) (7:00)
  6. "Libertine" (Y-Front remix) (4:02)
Cassette - Promo - France

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (single version) (3:30)

B-side :

  1. "Libertine" (single version) (3:30)
7" single - Without cover - Canada

A-side :

  1. "Libertine" (single version) (3:30)

B-side :

  1. "Greta" (4:45)

[edit] Versions

Official versions
Version Length Album Remixed by Year Comment[5]
Album version 3:49 Cendres de Lune Laurent Boutonnat 1986 See the previous sections
Single version 3:30 1986 One refrain is deleted.
Instrumental 3:31 1986
Remix 4:35 Laurent Boutonnat 1986 The introduction and the musical bridges are extended.
New remix 3:35 Thierry Rogen 1986 The introduction is played on saxophone. A musical bridge is added.
Soundtrack from the video 3:22 1986
Remix special club 5:53 Cendres de Lune Laurent Boutonnat 1986 This remix uses many drum machines.
Live version (recorded in 1989) 12:00 En concert 1989 See Mylène Farmer en concert
Carnal sins remix 7:00 Dance Remixes Laurent Boutonnat 1992 This version adds suggestive sighs and cries of Farmer.
Live version (recorded in 1996) 5:40 Live à Bercy 1996 See 1996 Bercy
Live version (recorded in 2000) 0:30 Mylenium Tour 2000 The song is included in a medley. See Mylenium Tour
Album version 3:30 Les Mots Laurent Boutonnat 2001 The song is remasterised.
Y-Front remix 4:02 RemixeS Y-Front 2003 This is a techno remix.

[edit] Credits and personnel

  • Text : Laurent Boutonnat
  • Music : Jean-Claude Déquéant
  • Editions : Bertrand Le Page and Toutankhamon
  • Recording company : Polydor
  • Photography : Laurent Boutonnat (first cover) / Eric Caro (second cover)
  • Design : Studio Bonne Mine

[edit] Charts, certifications, sales

Chart (1987) Peak
position
French Singles Chart[24] 10
Country Certification Sales
France Silver[25] 400,000

[edit] Kate Ryan version

“Libertine”
“Libertine” cover
Single by Kate Ryan
from the album Different
Released 2002
Format CD single
CD maxi
12" maxi
Genre Pop
Length 3:13
Label EMI
Writer(s) Laurent Boutonnat
Jean-Claude Déquéant
Producer Phil Wilde
AJ Duncan
Kate Ryan singles chronology
"Mon Cœur résiste encore" (2002) "Libertine"
(2002)		 "Only If I"
(2004)

[edit] Formats and track listings

CD single
  1. "Libertine" (radio edit) (3:13)
  2. "So in Love" (4:01)
CD maxi 1
  1. "Libertine" (radio edit) (3:13)
  2. "Libertine" (extended) (6:42)
  3. "So in Love" (radio edit) (3:48)
CD maxi 2
  1. "Libertine" (radio mix) (3:13)
  2. "Libertine" (extended mix) (6:41)
  3. "So in Love" (radio mix) (3:49)
  4. "So in Love" (extended mix) (6:20)
12" maxi
  1. "Libertine" (extended) (6:42)
  2. "Libertine" (radio edit) (3:13)
  3. "So in Love" (radio edit) (3:48)

[edit] Credits

  • Mastered by Paul van der Jonckheyd
  • Mixed by Peter Bulkens
  • Photography : Philippe Mathys
  • Producers : AJ Duncan , Phil Wilde

[edit] Chart

Chart (2002-2003)[30] Peak
position
Austrian Singles Chart 7
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart 7
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart 34
Danish Singles Chart 15
Euro 200[31] 26
Finnish Singles Chart 20
French Singles Chart 48
Norwegian Singles Chart 15
Swedish Singles Chart 16
Swiss Singles Chart 26

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Interview of Jean-Claude Déquéant, Mylène Farmer et Vous, summer 2005
  2. ^ "Libertine" Sans-logique.com (Retrieved March 9, 2008)
  3. ^ a b L'Intégrale Mylene Farmer, Erwan Chuberre, 2007, City Ed., p. 190-191 (ISBN 978-2-35288-108-7)
  4. ^ Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 86 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
  5. ^ a b c Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 151-158
  6. ^ Mylène Farmer de A à Z, Florence Rajon, 2005, MusicBook Ed., p. 62-63
  7. ^ Mylène Farmer, le culte - L'envers du décor, Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 40
  8. ^ Top 50, Canal +, September 6, 1986
  9. ^ "Libertine", videoclip Mylenefarmeriscalled.net (Retrieved March 9, 2008)
  10. ^ Astro, 1986, "Mylène : Vierge libertine Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  11. ^ "Libertine", videoclip Sans-logique.com (Retrieved March 8, 2008)
  12. ^ La Dépêche, August 24, 1986, Christine Hiquet Devant-soi.com, Le Républicain, September 14, 1986, "Mylène Farmer, une chanteuse "libertine"", Chrisitne Hiquet Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  13. ^ Salut, 1986, "De Libertine" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  14. ^ Mylène Farmer - La part d'ombre, Caroline Bee, Antoine Bioy & Benjamin Thiry, 2005, Archipel Ed., p. 165-167
  15. ^ Confidentiel, February 1987, "Mylène Farmer : Je ne me montrerai plus jamais nue", Danièle Asian Devant-soi.com (1) Devant-soi.com (2) (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  16. ^ France Soir, July 29, 1986, "Mylène Farmer, ingénue perverse", Monique Prévot Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  17. ^ Femme actuelle, June 30, 1986, "Mylène Farmer, libertine de charme" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  18. ^ Elle, September 23, 1986, "Mylène Farmer", Marie-Aline Janneau Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  19. ^ France Dimanche, October 25, 1986, "En Vogue", Laurence Beurdeley Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  20. ^ France Soir, August 20, 1986, "Vous la verrez dans "Affaire suivante"", Catherine Delmas Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  21. ^ Fun Mag, 1986, p. 15 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  22. ^ Télé Poche, September 1, 1986 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
  23. ^ "Libertine", TV performances Sans-logique.com (Retrieved March 9, 2008)
  24. ^ a b "Libertine", French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved January 14, 2008)
  25. ^ a b Mylène Farmer's certifications Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved January 2, 2008)
  26. ^ Ludwig Von 88's version Sans-logique.com (Retrieved March 18, 2008)
  27. ^ Edwige Chandelier's version Sans-logique.com (Retrieved March 9, 2008)
  28. ^ Enfoirés en 2000 Lescharts.com (Retrieved March 9, 2008)
  29. ^ Les Dindes Suprêmes' version Sans-logique.com (Retrieved March 18, 2008)
  30. ^ "Libertine" (Kate Ryan version), various Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved March 10, 2008)
  31. ^ Euro 200 Apcchart.com (Retrieved May 17, 2008)
v • d • e
Mylène Farmer
Studio albums
Live albums
Remix albums
Compilations
Singles
"Maman a tort" · "My Mum Is Wrong" · "On est tous des imbéciles" · "Plus grandir" · "Libertine" · "Tristana" · "Sans contrefaçon" · "Ainsi soit je..." · "Pourvu qu'elles soient douces" · "Sans
logique" · À quoi je sers... · "Allan (live)" · "Plus grandir (live mix)" · "Désenchantée" · "Regrets" · "Je t'aime mélancolie" · "Beyond My Control" · "Que mon cœur lâche" · "My Soul Is Slashed" ·
"XXL" · "L'Instant X" · "California" · "Comme j'ai mal" · "Rêver" · "La Poupée qui fait non" · "Ainsi soit je... (live)" · "L'Âme-stram-gram" · "Je te rends ton amour" · "Souviens-toi du jour" · "Optimistique-moi" · "Innamoramento" · "Dessine-moi un mouton (live)" · "L'Histoire d'une fée, c'est..." · "Les Mots" · "C'est une belle journée" · "Pardonne-moi" · "Fuck Them All" · "Q.I" · "Redonne-moi" · "L'Amour n'est rien..." · "Peut-être toi" · "Slipping Away (Crier la vie)" · "Avant que l'ombre... (live)" · "Déshabillez-moi (live)" · "Dégénération "
B-sides
VHS & DVD
Tours
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Book
Lisa-Loup et le Conteur
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