On est tous des imbéciles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “On est tous des imbéciles” | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Single by Mylène Farmer | ||||||||||||||
| Released | February 1985 | |||||||||||||
| Format | 7" single 7" maxi |
|||||||||||||
| Recorded | 1984 | |||||||||||||
| Genre | Pop | |||||||||||||
| Length | 3:49 (single version) 6:14 (long version) |
|||||||||||||
| Label | RCA / BMG Music | |||||||||||||
| Writer(s) | Jérôme Dahan | |||||||||||||
| Producer | Jérôme Dahan | |||||||||||||
| Mylène Farmer singles chronology | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
"On est tous des imbéciles" is a 1984 song recorded by the French artist Mylène Farmer. It is her second single after "Maman a tort" (and its english version "My Mum Is Wrong"). It was released on February, 1985.
Contents |
[edit] Background and writing
After the relative success of her first single "Maman a tort", Farmer decided to record a new song. Jerôme Dahan wrote to her some songs such as "Be Bip Bou Rock'n Roll / L'Amour au téléphone" and "I Do Love You" which, however, were never marketed. Finally, it was "On est tous des imbéciles" which was released as a single under the RCA label.[1] Jérôme Dahan said in an interview that he wrote the song at the same time that "Maman a tort", while Farmer had not yet begun her singing career.[2] Dahan, who composed both the song's lyrics and music, is the only songwriter to having entirely composed a song for Farmer.[3]
In addition to the two traditional media (12" single and 7" maxi), a promotional vinyl was sent to radio stations, whose the cover is entirely red with the words "Mylène Farmer est une imbécile, et vous ?". There was no video because of a lack of money.
This song is not available on Farmer's albums : nor on the first album Cendres de Lune, nor on the best of Les Mots, because of a problem of copyright.[4] It was never performed on tours ; however, Farmer has not apparently disown this song.[5]
This single marked the end of the collaboration between Farmer / Boutonnat and Jerôme Dahan.[6]
[edit] Lyrics and music
About the song's title, Mylène Farmer said in an interview : "I don't know if this is really aggressive. This is certainly provocative and I always I like to highlight the sentence that said "On est tous des imbéciles mais ce qui nous sauve c'est le style !" ("We is all fools, but what saves us is the style !") and I think that's right."[1]
In this song, Farmer "extracted her complexes by spreading the error on the human race".[7] It has a "jazzy tone" and a "deep voice".[8] In Farmer's career, this song is very original in many ways, probably because it was composed by someone outside the duo Farmer / Boutonnat. Indeed, the music is very light, even a little simple compared to Laurent Boutonnat's productions. Then, the text includes "familiar and vulgar lyrics, which is not the case in other Farmer's songs in which she sublimates them systematically in figures more aesthetic, namely violence and eroticism, always put into words and images with delight and refinement".[9] Considered as a protest song[10], "On est tous des imbéciles" is about the artist job and makes some cynical observations on it. It is a "virulent criticism from the environment of the show business where artists would be all fools".[11] However, Farmer tackles strong themes that "have yet structured her musical work even to the point of becoming clichés" (for example, she criticized the tendency of some artists to melancholy and romantic, and often exacerbated and vapid).[9] "On est tous des imbéciles" "is proving to be a very enlightened song on the show-biz's world in which many coincidences appear".[12] In addition, some observers have noted several words seeming to refer to Jeanne Mas' universe (who was great Farmer's competitor at the time) : evocation of style, ambiguity, dark atmosphere, sadness.[9]
[edit] Critical reception
"On est tous des imbéciles" was generally well-received by contemporary pop music critics (this was quite rare in Farmer's career). For example :
"A new hit into perspective, and especially evidence that Mylène really has talent" (Girls).[13] ""On est tous des imbéciles" seems to confirm the talent of the trio [Boutonnat-Dahan-Farmer]" (Ici Paris).[14] "This famous "On est tous des imbéciles" tastefully composed puts Farmer on the right track" (L'Est Républicain).[15] "Pleasant continuation of "Maman a tort", this new production won't let anyone indifferent". "Mylène is in the process of confirming her talent" (Antenne).[16] [17] "This new song has this little 'trick' that makes it almost essential" (Numéro 1).[18] "It's pleasant, funny" (Salut).[19] "The music is very rhythmic" (La Voix).[20]
There was also some criticism : "This refrain is too heavily rhythmic" (Le Matin).[21] "Mylène Farmer will have a hard time doing again a hit with this 'pretty' song" (Nice Matin)[22]
[edit] TV and chart performances
Besides, the singer performed the song in no fewer than 19 television shows : Patatoès patatorum (April 1985, FR3), Pour le plaisir (February 23, 1985, FR3), Jour J, Paris kiosque (May 25, 1985, FR3), L'Année du Zèbre (February 13, 1985, TF1), La Vie à plein temps (February 14, 1985, FR3), Platine 45 (February 27, 1985, Antenne 2), L'Écho des ados, Les Jeux de 20 Heures (March 13, 1985, FR3), Cadence 3, L'Académie des 9 (March 15, 1985, Antenne 2), 4C+, Zénith, Hit des clubs, Aujourd'hui la vie (May 13, 1985, Antenne 2), Chanson témoin, Chanson miroir, La Grande Suite (May 14, 1985, TF1), La Clé des champs (August 15, 1985, FR3), C'est encore mieux l'après-midi, Super Platine (December 21, 1985, Antenne 2), Eurexporythmes (March 23, 1985, FR3), and Ring parade (March 20, 1985, FR3).[4]
However, "On est tous des imbéciles", released only in France, didn't meet the same success as that of the previous single and failed to reach the Top 50 (the French SNEP Singles Chart, a Top 100 only since 1998). About 40,000 copies of the song were sold in 1985.[6] Except the live singles, it was the lowest-selling single throughout the singer's career. However, today, the two vinyl media are highly sought after by collectors, especially as this song and "L'Annonciation" are not included on Farmer's albums (problem of copyright).[1]
[edit] Formats and track listings
A-side :
B-side :
A-side :
B-side :
|
A-side :
B-side :
|
[edit] Versions
- Official versions
| Version | Length | Album | Remixed by | Year | Comment[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single version | 3:49 | 1985 | |||
| Long version | 6:14 | Jérôme Dahan | 1985 | This version, also composed by Jérôme Dahan, includes an 1:30 introduction mainly composed of drum machines. A long instrumental passage is played on the piano. A new chorus and a passage almost a cappella with the choristers are added in this extended version. |
[edit] B-side : "L'Annonciation"
The vinyl's B-side contains another new song, "L'Annonciation". The title refers to the angel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she is pregnant.[23] The song is dedicated to St. Theresa of Avilla, because Farmer was fascinated by this saint at the time.[24]
First song composed entirely by Laurent Boutonnat, "L'Annonciation" deals with the issues of rape and abortion. Incest and mystical possession may also be possible meanings of this song.[25] The music is throbbing, moving and melancholy, with a musical background from the Romany folklore using many violins and cellos. Farmer said in an interview that she had cried a lot when she recorded the song.[26] [27]
The song was never performed on tours and doesn't appear on any album.
[edit] Credits and personnel
- Text : Jérôme Dahan
- Music : Jérôme Dahan
- Editions : Bertrand Le Page
- Recording company : RCA
- Photography : Schasmes
[edit] External link
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "On est tous des imbéciles" Sans-logique.com (Retrieved December 28, 2007)
- ^ Platine, No. 11, April / May 1994
- ^ a b Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 181-183
- ^ a b "On est tous des imbéciles", L'histoire de la chanson : le premier (et seul) bide musical de Mylène... Mylenefarmeriscalled.net (Retrieved December 28, 2007)
- ^ L'Intégrale Mylene Farmer, Erwan Chuberre, 2007, City Ed., p. 234 (ISBN 978-2-35288-108-7)
- ^ a b Mylène Farmer de A à Z, Florence Rajon, 2005, MusicBook Ed., p. 81
- ^ Télé Star, November 10, 1986, "Mylène Farmer, fantasmes en technicolor", M.L. Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Télé Poche, February 25, 1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ a b c Instant-Mag, No. 3, 2000, p. 5
- ^ Chanson, 4/1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ "On est tous des imbéciles", analysis of lyrics Mylenefarmeriscalled.net (Retrieved December 28, 2007)
- ^ Instant-Mag, No. 3, 2000, p. 7
- ^ Girls, February 7, 1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Ici Paris, May 30, 1985, "Mylène Farmer a tout à gagner avec les imbéciles", Dominique Lozac'h Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ L'Est Républicain, May 9, 1985, "Mylène Farmer le charme adolescent", Jean-Paul Germonville Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Antenne, 3/1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Antenne, 3/1985, another article Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Numéro 1, 3/1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Salut, February 15, 1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ La Voix, February 16, 1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Le Matin, February 22, 1985 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Nice Matin, February 19, 1985, "Un 45 tours", Jean-Marc Tardy Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 44-45
- ^ Le Matin, January 18, 1985, "Crise mystique pour Mylène Farmer" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved March 20, 2008)
- ^ Instant-Mag, No. 7, 2001, p. 5
- ^ L'Intégrale Mylene Farmer, Erwan Chuberre, 2007, City Ed., p. 42 (ISBN 978-2-35288-108-7)
- ^ Mylène Farmer Phénoménale, Erwan Chuberre, 2006, City Ed., p. 44
