On est tous des imbéciles
Encyclopedia
"On est tous des imbéciles" (English: "We Are All Fools") is a 1984 song recorded by French
artist Mylène Farmer
. It was released in February 1985 as her second single
after "Maman a tort
" and its English-translated version "My Mum Is Wrong". Although the song was provocative and rather critical of the show business
, it was often well-received in the media. However, in spite of good reviews and an intense promotion on television by the singer, the sales of the single were disappointing.
", Farmer decided to record a new song. Jerôme Dahan had already wrote some songs for her including "Be Bip Bou Rock'n Roll / L'Amour au téléphone" and "I Do Love You" which, however, were never released. "Be Bip Bou Rock'n Roll" was just recorded as a demo
and Farmer said she often listened to this song. Finally, "On est tous des imbéciles" was released as a single under the RCA
label. In an interview, Jérôme Dahan said that he wrote the song at the same time as "Maman a tort", when Farmer had not yet began her singing career. Dahan, who composed both the song's lyrics and music, remains the only songwriter
to having entirely composed a song for Farmer.
In addition to the two traditional media (12" single
and 7" maxi
), a promotional vinyl was sent to radio stations, which displayed an entirely red cover with the words "Mylène Farmer est une imbécile, et vous ?" written on it. No music video was produced at the time.
Because of copyright
issues, this song remains not available on any Farmer's albums, including her first studio album Cendres de Lune
, and her best of
Les Mots. However, Farmer has apparently never disowned the song.
This single marked the end of the collaboration between the duo Farmer/Boutonnat and Jerôme Dahan, and also with RCA. François Dacla, then artistic director of the recording company, accepted the song in a contract that included only two singles with a requirement for success.
About the song's title, Farmer said in an interview: "I don't know if this is really aggressive. This is certainly provocative and I always 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." According to author Erwan Chuberre, the song criticizes the "superficial side of the entertainment universe", with "rather strange lyrics playing on the self-mockery, accompanied by a music tinged of rhythms and bells". Author Alice Novak considered this song as very different from other ones that made the success of Farmer, although the singer showed through it that she had a sense of humor. In March 1985, Farmer explained: "This is a tongue-in-cheek song. This means that life should certainly not be taken seriously, that we need to laugh, and that derision is good."
In the song, Farmer "extracted her complexes by spreading the error on the human race". According to Télé Poche
magazine, it has a "jazzy tone" and a "deep voice". In Farmer's career, the song is very original in many ways, as it was composed by someone outside of the Farmer / Boutonnat duo, in the music being very light, even a little simple, compared to Laurent Boutonnat
's subsequent productions, and which the lyrics include "familiar and vulgar lyrics, which is not the case in Farmer's other 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". Considered as a "funny lampooner" and a "provocative" song which "disconcerted journalists and public", "On est tous des imbéciles" is about the artist profession 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". However, Farmer tackles strong themes that "have yet structured her musical work even to the point of becoming cliché
s". For example, she criticized the tendency of some artists to melancholy
and romantic
, and often exacerbated and vapid. "On est tous des imbéciles" "is proving to be a very enlightened song on the show-biz world in which many coincidences appear". Moreover, some observers noted several words that seem to refer to Jeanne Mas
' universe, who was Farmer's great competitor at the time: evocation of style, ambiguity, dark atmosphere, sadness.
said: "This famous "On est tous des imbéciles" tastefully composed puts Farmer on the right track". Antenne considered the song as the "pleasant continuation of "Maman a tort
"", and added that "this new production won't let anyone indifferent" and that "Mylène is in the process of confirming her talent". According to Numéro 1, "this new song has this little 'trick' that makes it almost essential". Salut! deemed the song as "pleasant, funny", La Voix du Nord considered that "the music is very rhythmic, almost jerky, the melody is stripped, the lyrics are disillusioned", and Chanson qualified the song as "salubrious". Jacinthe deemed "On est tous des imbéciles" a "provocative" song that "easily fits in the head as a success". As for Podium, it stated: "The melody is beautiful, Mylène's voice and tone are charming. Everything is very nice".
There was also some criticism. According to Le Matin, "this refrain is too heavily rhythmic", and to Nice Matin, "Mylène Farmer will have a hard time doing again a hit with this 'pretty' song".
"On est tous des imbéciles" was only released in France, and did not meet the same success as the previous single "Maman a tort", failing to reach the French SNEP Singles Chart
(until 1998, it was only a top 50 hit). About 40,000 units were sold in 1985. Along with the singer's live singles, the song remains one of the lowest-selling single throughout Farmer's career. However, the two vinyl formats are today highly sought after by collectors, especially as this song and "L'Annonciation" are not included on Farmer's albums. In 1998, the value of the 7" reached about 1,500 euros, and the maxi vinyl's one 2,000 euros.
, Antenne 2
and FR3
, including Patatoès patatorum, Pour le plaisir, Jour J, Paris kiosque, L'Année du Zèbre, La Vie à plein temps, Platine 45, L'Écho des ados, Les Jeux de 20 Heures, Cadence 3, L'Académie des 9, 4C+, Zénith, Hit des clubs, Aujourd'hui la vie, Chanson témoin, Chanson miroir, La Grande Suite, La Clé des champs, C'est encore mieux l'après-midi, Super Platine, Eurexporythmes and Ring parade. On these occasions, she performed a choreography which author Erwan Chuberre qualified as one of the "most astounding uncoordinated dance[s]"; however, journalist Benoît Cachin considered that Farmer was smiling then and appeared more at ease than when she promoted her previous single.
The song was never performed on tours.
announcing to the Virgin Mary
that she is pregnant. The song is dedicated to St. Theresa of Avilla, a Spanish Catholic nun of the sixteenth century, as the singer was fascinated by this saint at the time, and to Farmer's father because of the religious education he gave to her.
"L'Annonciation" was the first song to be entirely composed by Laurent Boutonnat. It has "obscure lyrics" and "is disturbing in more than one way", according to journalist Caroline Bee. It deals with the issues of rape
and abortion
, but incest
and mystical possession may also be possible meanings of this song. The music is throbbing, moving and melancholy, with a musical background from the Romany folklore using many violin
s and cello
s. Farmer said in an interview that she had cried a lot when she recorded the song.
The song was never performed on tours and does not appear on any album.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
artist Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer, , born Marie-Hélène Jeanne Gautier, , , is a French singer, songwriter, occasional actress and author....
. It was released in February 1985 as her second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
after "Maman a tort
Maman a tort
"Maman a tort" is a 1984 song recorded by French artist Mylène Farmer. It was the debut single from Farmer's first studio album Cendres de Lune, and marked the beginning of her collaboration with her long-time composer, Laurent Boutonnat. With lyrics by Jérôme Dahan, who also helped compose the...
" and its English-translated version "My Mum Is Wrong". Although the song was provocative and rather critical of the show business
Show business
Show business, sometimes shortened to show biz, is a vernacular term for all aspects of entertainment. The word applies to all aspects of the entertainment industry from the business side to the creative element ....
, it was often well-received in the media. However, in spite of good reviews and an intense promotion on television by the singer, the sales of the single were disappointing.
Background and writing
After the moderate success of her first single "Maman a tortMaman a tort
"Maman a tort" is a 1984 song recorded by French artist Mylène Farmer. It was the debut single from Farmer's first studio album Cendres de Lune, and marked the beginning of her collaboration with her long-time composer, Laurent Boutonnat. With lyrics by Jérôme Dahan, who also helped compose the...
", Farmer decided to record a new song. Jerôme Dahan had already wrote some songs for her including "Be Bip Bou Rock'n Roll / L'Amour au téléphone" and "I Do Love You" which, however, were never released. "Be Bip Bou Rock'n Roll" was just recorded as a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
and Farmer said she often listened to this song. Finally, "On est tous des imbéciles" was released as a single under the RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
label. In an interview, Jérôme Dahan said that he wrote the song at the same time as "Maman a tort", when Farmer had not yet began her singing career. Dahan, who composed both the song's lyrics and music, remains the only songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
to having entirely composed a song for Farmer.
In addition to the two traditional media (12" single
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
and 7" maxi
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
), a promotional vinyl was sent to radio stations, which displayed an entirely red cover with the words "Mylène Farmer est une imbécile, et vous ?" written on it. No music video was produced at the time.
Because of copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
issues, this song remains not available on any Farmer's albums, including her first studio album Cendres de Lune
Cendres de Lune
Cendres de Lune is the debut album by the French singer/songwriter Mylène Farmer, released on April 1, 1986. The album was precedeed by the hit single "Libertine", and the album was rereleased in 1987 preceded by the song "Tristana"...
, and her best of
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
Les Mots. However, Farmer has apparently never disowned the song.
This single marked the end of the collaboration between the duo Farmer/Boutonnat and Jerôme Dahan, and also with RCA. François Dacla, then artistic director of the recording company, accepted the song in a contract that included only two singles with a requirement for success.
Lyrics and music
 On est tous des imbécilesOn est bien, très bien débiles C'qui nous sauve c'est le style...  |
| — Beginning of the chorus |
About the song's title, Farmer said in an interview: "I don't know if this is really aggressive. This is certainly provocative and I always 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." According to author Erwan Chuberre, the song criticizes the "superficial side of the entertainment universe", with "rather strange lyrics playing on the self-mockery, accompanied by a music tinged of rhythms and bells". Author Alice Novak considered this song as very different from other ones that made the success of Farmer, although the singer showed through it that she had a sense of humor. In March 1985, Farmer explained: "This is a tongue-in-cheek song. This means that life should certainly not be taken seriously, that we need to laugh, and that derision is good."
In the song, Farmer "extracted her complexes by spreading the error on the human race". According to Télé Poche
Télé Poche
Télé Poche is a weekly television listings magazine published by Mondadori France. Envisioned by the Franco-Italian editor Cino Del Duca , Télé Poche was launched on 12 January 1966 by the Mondiales branch of the Cora-Révillon group...
magazine, it has a "jazzy tone" and a "deep voice". In Farmer's career, the song is very original in many ways, as it was composed by someone outside of the Farmer / Boutonnat duo, in the music being very light, even a little simple, compared to Laurent Boutonnat
Laurent Boutonnat
Laurent Pierre Marie Boutonnat is a French composer and film and music video director, best known as the songwriting partner of Mylène Farmer and the director of moody, provocative and literature-inspired music videos.- Career :...
's subsequent productions, and which the lyrics include "familiar and vulgar lyrics, which is not the case in Farmer's other 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". Considered as a "funny lampooner" and a "provocative" song which "disconcerted journalists and public", "On est tous des imbéciles" is about the artist profession 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". However, Farmer tackles strong themes that "have yet structured her musical work even to the point of becoming cliché
Cliché
A cliché or cliche is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel. In phraseology, the term has taken on a more technical meaning,...
s". For example, she criticized the tendency of some artists to melancholy
Melancholia
Melancholia , also lugubriousness, from the Latin lugere, to mourn; moroseness, from the Latin morosus, self-willed, fastidious habit; wistfulness, from old English wist: intent, or saturnine, , in contemporary usage, is a mood disorder of non-specific depression,...
and romantic
Romance (music)
The term romance has a centuries-long history. Applied to narrative ballads in Spain, it came to be used by the 18th century for simple lyrical pieces not only for voice, but also for instruments alone. During the 18th and 19th centuries Russian composers developed the French variety of the...
, and often exacerbated and vapid. "On est tous des imbéciles" "is proving to be a very enlightened song on the show-biz world in which many coincidences appear". Moreover, some observers noted several words that seem to refer to Jeanne Mas
Jeanne Mas
Jeanne Mas, born on 28 February 1958 in Alicante, Spain, is a French pop singer and actress.She was well known in France, Switzerland and Belgium for a number of hit singles released in the 1980s. From the late eighties onwards her career slid into the has-been category. Her first success was...
' universe, who was Farmer's great competitor at the time: evocation of style, ambiguity, dark atmosphere, sadness.
Critical reception
"On est tous des imbéciles" was generally well received by contemporary pop music critics. For example, Boys and Girls said: "A new hit into perspective, and especially evidence that Mylène has real talent". Ici Paris praised the song, stating: ""On est tous des imbéciles" seems to confirm the talent of the trio [Boutonnat-Dahan-Farmer]". L'Est RépublicainL'Est Républicain
L'Est Républicain is a daily regional French newspaper based in Nancy. As of 2003, its daily circulation was 206,970....
said: "This famous "On est tous des imbéciles" tastefully composed puts Farmer on the right track". Antenne considered the song as the "pleasant continuation of "Maman a tort
Maman a tort
"Maman a tort" is a 1984 song recorded by French artist Mylène Farmer. It was the debut single from Farmer's first studio album Cendres de Lune, and marked the beginning of her collaboration with her long-time composer, Laurent Boutonnat. With lyrics by Jérôme Dahan, who also helped compose the...
"", and added that "this new production won't let anyone indifferent" and that "Mylène is in the process of confirming her talent". According to Numéro 1, "this new song has this little 'trick' that makes it almost essential". Salut! deemed the song as "pleasant, funny", La Voix du Nord considered that "the music is very rhythmic, almost jerky, the melody is stripped, the lyrics are disillusioned", and Chanson qualified the song as "salubrious". Jacinthe deemed "On est tous des imbéciles" a "provocative" song that "easily fits in the head as a success". As for Podium, it stated: "The melody is beautiful, Mylène's voice and tone are charming. Everything is very nice".
There was also some criticism. According to Le Matin, "this refrain is too heavily rhythmic", and to Nice Matin, "Mylène Farmer will have a hard time doing again a hit with this 'pretty' song".
"On est tous des imbéciles" was only released in France, and did not meet the same success as the previous single "Maman a tort", failing to reach the French SNEP Singles Chart
Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique
The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry...
(until 1998, it was only a top 50 hit). About 40,000 units were sold in 1985. Along with the singer's live singles, the song remains one of the lowest-selling single throughout Farmer's career. However, the two vinyl formats are today highly sought after by collectors, especially as this song and "L'Annonciation" are not included on Farmer's albums. In 1998, the value of the 7" reached about 1,500 euros, and the maxi vinyl's one 2,000 euros.
Promotion and live performances
From April to December 1985, the singer actively promoted the song performing it in 19 French television shows broadcast on TF1TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
, Antenne 2
France 2
France 2 is a French public national television channel. It is part of the state-owned France Télévisions group, along with France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô...
and FR3
France 3
France 3 is the second largest French public television channel and part of the France Télévisions group, which also includes France 2, France 4, France 5, and France Ô....
, including Patatoès patatorum, Pour le plaisir, Jour J, Paris kiosque, L'Année du Zèbre, La Vie à plein temps, Platine 45, L'Écho des ados, Les Jeux de 20 Heures, Cadence 3, L'Académie des 9, 4C+, Zénith, Hit des clubs, Aujourd'hui la vie, Chanson témoin, Chanson miroir, La Grande Suite, La Clé des champs, C'est encore mieux l'après-midi, Super Platine, Eurexporythmes and Ring parade. On these occasions, she performed a choreography which author Erwan Chuberre qualified as one of the "most astounding uncoordinated dance[s]"; however, journalist Benoît Cachin considered that Farmer was smiling then and appeared more at ease than when she promoted her previous single.
The song was never performed on tours.
B-side: "L'Annonciation"
The vinyl's B-side contains another new song, "L'Annonciation". The title refers to the Archangel GabrielGabriel
In Abrahamic religions, Gabriel is an Archangel who typically serves as a messenger to humans from God.He first appears in the Book of Daniel, delivering explanations of Daniel's visions. In the Gospel of Luke Gabriel foretells the births of both John the Baptist and of Jesus...
announcing to the Virgin Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
that she is pregnant. The song is dedicated to St. Theresa of Avilla, a Spanish Catholic nun of the sixteenth century, as the singer was fascinated by this saint at the time, and to Farmer's father because of the religious education he gave to her.
"L'Annonciation" was the first song to be entirely composed by Laurent Boutonnat. It has "obscure lyrics" and "is disturbing in more than one way", according to journalist Caroline Bee. It deals with the issues of rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
and abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, but incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
and mystical possession may also be possible meanings of this song. The music is throbbing, moving and melancholy, with a musical background from the Romany folklore using many violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
s and cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
s. Farmer said in an interview that she had cried a lot when she recorded the song.
The song was never performed on tours and does not appear on any album.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of single releases of "On est tous des imbéciles":- 7" single
- 7" maxi
- 7" single - Promo
Official versions
| Version | Length | Remixer | Year | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single version | 3:49 | — | 1985 | See the previous sections |
| Long version | 6:14 | Jérôme Dahan | 1985 | This version, also composed by Jérôme Dahan, includes an 1:30 introduction mainly composed of drum machine Drum machine A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music... s. A long instrumental passage is played on the piano Piano The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... . A new chorus and a passage almost a cappella A cappella A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato... with the choristers are added in this extended version. |
Credits and personnel
These are the credits and the personnel as they appear on the back of the single:- Jérôme Dahan – lyrics, music, producer
- E. Persin /RCA – demo
- Recording at "Le matin calme" studio
- Hervé Le Coz – mixing
- Bertrand Le Page – editions, management
- RCARCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
– recording company - Schachmes / Sygma – photo
- Valérie Pozzo – design
- Laurent Boutonnat – producer
Release history
| Region | Date | Format |
|---|---|---|
| France | February 1985 | 7" single, 7" maxi |