Souviens-toi du jour
Encyclopedia
"Souviens-toi du jour" is a 1999 song recorded by French
singer-songwriter
Mylène Farmer
. It was the third single
from her fifth studio album Innamoramento
and was released on 2 September 1999. Inspired by Primo Levi
's book If This Is a Man
, the song deals with the theme of the Holocaust. Despite a music video which caused a controversy as it was generally viewed as disrespectful towards the issue it tackles, the song surprisingly became in France the best-selling single from the album.
. However, although promotional plans were already made, she changed her mind and preferred to release "Souviens-toi du jour", as her record label
Universal wanted to market a rhythmic single to obtain higher sales than that of the previous single, "Je te rends ton amour
".
The song was much broadcast on radio, reaching a peak of number eight on French aiplay chart four months after the promotional CD had been sent. Some radios stations, including NRJ, aired the 'sweet guitar mix' version of the song.
Among the various promotional formats, there was an orange envelope
released on 2 September 1999. This envelope contains a silvery pocket within which there are seven stones transparent. This is undoubtedly a "reference to the symbol of memory in the Jewish religion
".
's book If This Is a Man
, in which the author recounts his experience in the concentration camps. On the back of the cover of the various formats, words in Hebrew "Zokher eth Ayom" are written and are also part of the lyrics. Farmer explained in an interview : "It is in Hebrew and it means exactly "Remember the Day", it is in the Torah
. When I wrote this song, because (...) I have a bedside book called If This Is a Man precisely by Primo Levi, and which evokes the deportation and I wanted to talk about that (...), there are several possible readings but that's what I thought and to this idea, the need to remember these things." However, as stated by Instant-Mag, the song is "full of hope and resolutely turned towards the potentiality of human beings to overcome its hatred", while the book seeks to "prove that the concentration camps were able to make the man inhuman, removing the brotherhood and mutual aid". In its lyrics, "Souviens-toi du jour" is "the continuation and the antithesis of "Désenchantée
", and is a plea for an alternation, a sublimated power, held by an ideal". Some words of the song also refer to a poem by French author Pierre Reverdy
, Esprit pesant.
, who had previously worked with the singer on "XXL
", "L'Instant X
" and "Comme j'ai mal
". It was shot over the course of two days in Los Angeles
, and cost about 100,000 euros. The video was first broadcast on 21 September 1999, when the Mylenium Tour
started.
The video, which shows an apartment and its old furniture as they catch fire, was filmed in a building destined for destruction. Among the things that burn, there are a clock, a painting and some books, including Hitler's Mein Kampf
and other German
ideological books, and letters of the singer, as shows it the address on the envelopes. Farmer wore a dress in plastic made by Thierry Mugler
which had been worn by the singer when she performed "Ainsi soit-je...
" in August 1997, and which began to melt during the shooting of the video, as it had difficulty to withstand heat. Because of risks linked to the fire, there were firefighter
s present on the shooting. Images of the video do not follow the chronological order of events, as some furniture are shown intact after being burned.
This video is among the least appreciated by critics, partly due to its alleged "lack of respect" towards the Holocaust, as Farmer stands in suggestive positions, and her clothes are almost transparent. According to author Erwan Chuberre, the video "was made somewhat in haste and with modest means". French magazine Instant-Mag said about the video: "The quality, good taste and value of this short film are frankly debatable. Not only it doesn't contribute towards the work, but moreover, it has a certain vibe that it was shot in a hurry, with a cock-and-bull accumulation of colorful images, which also have very little to do with the theme of the song. The gap is rather embarrassing, even oppressive, and some people find it downright insulting and inappropriate". Farmer's position on a sofa, elbows resting on knees and head bowed as to protect herself from fire at the very end of the video, would be inspired by the text Le Brasier, written by French
poet
Guillaume Apollinaire
, in which it can be read: "Et pour toujours je suis assis dans un fauteuil (...) / Les flammes ont poussé sur moi comme des feuilles."
.
In Belgium, the single appeared for nine weeks in the Ultratop 40
, from 9 October to 4 December 1999, with a peak at number 18 in the third week and was ranked at number 99 on 1999 End of the year chart.
, and 100% Johnny, on 12 November 1999 on TF1
, as Farmer was personally invited by Johnny Hallyday
.
"Souviens-toi du jour" was performed during the 2000 concerts tour
with a simple choreography
referring to the universal sign language
, with her eight dancers. She wore a red dress with a very long train. After performing the song, Farmer congratulated the audience and said goodbye, then twice repeated twice the chorus with the audience. This performance was included on the live album and the DVD Mylenium Tour
.
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...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer
Mylène Farmer, , born Marie-Hélène Jeanne Gautier, , , is a French singer, songwriter, occasional actress and author....
. It was the third 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...
from her fifth studio album Innamoramento
Innamoramento
Innamoramento is the fifth studio album by Mylène Farmer, released on April 7, 1999.-Background and release:By 1999, Farmer had barely appeared in the media since her 1996 concerts at Paris-Bercy...
and was released on 2 September 1999. Inspired by Primo Levi
Primo Levi
Primo Michele Levi was an Italian Jewish chemist and writer. He was the author of two novels and several collections of short stories, essays, and poems, but is best known for If This Is a Man, his account of the year he spent as a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland...
's book If This Is a Man
If This Is a Man
If This Is a Man is a work by the Italian writer, Primo Levi, describing his 11 months—from February 21, 1944 until liberation on January 27, 1945—in the German concentration camp at Auschwitz in Poland, during the Second World War...
, the song deals with the theme of the Holocaust. Despite a music video which caused a controversy as it was generally viewed as disrespectful towards the issue it tackles, the song surprisingly became in France the best-selling single from the album.
Background, writing and release
Initially, Farmer wanted to release the ballad "Et si vieillir m'était conté" as third single from the album InnamoramentoInnamoramento
Innamoramento is the fifth studio album by Mylène Farmer, released on April 7, 1999.-Background and release:By 1999, Farmer had barely appeared in the media since her 1996 concerts at Paris-Bercy...
. However, although promotional plans were already made, she changed her mind and preferred to release "Souviens-toi du jour", as her record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Universal wanted to market a rhythmic single to obtain higher sales than that of the previous single, "Je te rends ton amour
Je te rends ton amour
"Je te rends ton amour" is a 1999 song recorded by the French artist Mylène Farmer. The second single from her fifth studio album Innamoramento, it was released on 8 June 1999...
".
The song was much broadcast on radio, reaching a peak of number eight on French aiplay chart four months after the promotional CD had been sent. Some radios stations, including NRJ, aired the 'sweet guitar mix' version of the song.
Among the various promotional formats, there was an orange envelope
Envelope
An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card....
released on 2 September 1999. This envelope contains a silvery pocket within which there are seven stones transparent. This is undoubtedly a "reference to the symbol of memory in the Jewish religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
".
Lyrics and music
The song openly refers to Primo LeviPrimo Levi
Primo Michele Levi was an Italian Jewish chemist and writer. He was the author of two novels and several collections of short stories, essays, and poems, but is best known for If This Is a Man, his account of the year he spent as a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland...
's book If This Is a Man
If This Is a Man
If This Is a Man is a work by the Italian writer, Primo Levi, describing his 11 months—from February 21, 1944 until liberation on January 27, 1945—in the German concentration camp at Auschwitz in Poland, during the Second World War...
, in which the author recounts his experience in the concentration camps. On the back of the cover of the various formats, words in Hebrew "Zokher eth Ayom" are written and are also part of the lyrics. Farmer explained in an interview : "It is in Hebrew and it means exactly "Remember the Day", it is in the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
. When I wrote this song, because (...) I have a bedside book called If This Is a Man precisely by Primo Levi, and which evokes the deportation and I wanted to talk about that (...), there are several possible readings but that's what I thought and to this idea, the need to remember these things." However, as stated by Instant-Mag, the song is "full of hope and resolutely turned towards the potentiality of human beings to overcome its hatred", while the book seeks to "prove that the concentration camps were able to make the man inhuman, removing the brotherhood and mutual aid". In its lyrics, "Souviens-toi du jour" is "the continuation and the antithesis of "Désenchantée
Désenchantée
"Désenchantée" is a 1991 song recorded by the French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer. First single from her third studio album L'Autre..., it was released on 18 March 1991 and achieved a great success in France, topping the chart for more than two months...
", and is a plea for an alternation, a sublimated power, held by an ideal". Some words of the song also refer to a poem by French author Pierre Reverdy
Pierre Reverdy
Pierre Reverdy was a French poet associated with surrealism and cubism.Pierre Reverdy was born in Narbonne and grew up near the Montagne Noire in his father's house. Reverdy came from a family of sculptors. His father taught him to read and write. He studied at Toulouse and Narbonne.Reverdy...
, Esprit pesant.
Music video
The video's screenplay was written by Farmer, and is a Requiem Publishing and Stuffed Monkey production, like all her previous singles, and was directed by Marcus NispelMarcus Nispel
Marcus Nispel is a German–American feature film director and producer, and formerly a director of television commercials and music videos. Many of his films have been remakes, all of which have met with a negative critical reception....
, who had previously worked with the singer on "XXL
XXL (Mylène Farmer song)
"XXL" is a 1995 song recorded by French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer. The song was the lead single from her fourth studio album Anamorphosée and was released on 19 September 1995. It marked an important change in the singer's career, with more rock sonorities, easier lyrics to understand and a...
", "L'Instant X
L'Instant X
"L'Instant X" is a 1995 song recorded by the French artist Mylène Farmer. It was the second single from her fourth album Anamorphosée and was released on 12 December 1995. Directed by Marcus Nispel in New York, the music video depicts with humour the apocalypse and shows Farmer bathing in the foam...
" and "Comme j'ai mal
Comme j'ai mal
"Comme j'ai mal" is a 1995 song recorded by French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer. Fourth single from her fourth album Anamorphosée, it was released on 1 July 1996...
". It was shot over the course of two days in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and cost about 100,000 euros. The video was first broadcast on 21 September 1999, when the Mylenium Tour
Mylenium Tour (tour)
Mylenium Tour is Mylène Farmer's 1999-2000 concert tour in support of her fifth studio album, Innamoramento.-Critical reception and commercial success:...
started.
The video, which shows an apartment and its old furniture as they catch fire, was filmed in a building destined for destruction. Among the things that burn, there are a clock, a painting and some books, including Hitler's Mein Kampf
Mein Kampf
Mein Kampf is a book written by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. It combines elements of autobiography with an exposition of Hitler's political ideology. Volume 1 of Mein Kampf was published in 1925 and Volume 2 in 1926...
and other German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
ideological books, and letters of the singer, as shows it the address on the envelopes. Farmer wore a dress in plastic made by Thierry Mugler
Thierry Mugler
Thierry Mugler is a French fashion designer and creator of several perfumes.-Childhood:Mugler was born in Strasbourg, France on 21 December 1948. His passion led him to focus more on drawing than on school and at the age of 9, he began to study classical dance...
which had been worn by the singer when she performed "Ainsi soit-je...
Ainsi soit je... (song)
"Ainsi soit je..." is a 1988 song recorded by the French artist Mylène Farmer. The song was released as a single twice: as the second single from her second studio album Ainsi soit je... on 4 April 1988, and as the second single in a live version from her second live album Live à Bercy on 20...
" in August 1997, and which began to melt during the shooting of the video, as it had difficulty to withstand heat. Because of risks linked to the fire, there were firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s present on the shooting. Images of the video do not follow the chronological order of events, as some furniture are shown intact after being burned.
This video is among the least appreciated by critics, partly due to its alleged "lack of respect" towards the Holocaust, as Farmer stands in suggestive positions, and her clothes are almost transparent. According to author Erwan Chuberre, the video "was made somewhat in haste and with modest means". French magazine Instant-Mag said about the video: "The quality, good taste and value of this short film are frankly debatable. Not only it doesn't contribute towards the work, but moreover, it has a certain vibe that it was shot in a hurry, with a cock-and-bull accumulation of colorful images, which also have very little to do with the theme of the song. The gap is rather embarrassing, even oppressive, and some people find it downright insulting and inappropriate". Farmer's position on a sofa, elbows resting on knees and head bowed as to protect herself from fire at the very end of the video, would be inspired by the text Le Brasier, written by French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
Guillaume Apollinaire
Guillaume Apollinaire
Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary Kostrowicki, known as Guillaume Apollinaire was a French poet, playwright, short story writer, novelist, and art critic born in Italy to a Polish mother....
, in which it can be read: "Et pour toujours je suis assis dans un fauteuil (...) / Les flammes ont poussé sur moi comme des feuilles."
Chart performances
In France, "Souviens-toi du jour" debuted at a peak position in the French SNEP Singles Chart, on 2 October 1999 when it directly entered the chart at number four. Despite its initial success, the single fell rather quickly the next weeks, although it managed to have a longer stretch in the top 50 (15 weeks) than the two previous singles from the album. It spent a total of 22 weeks in the top 100 and ranked at number 79 in the 1999 Annual Chart. Certified silver single by the SNEP, "Souviens-toi du jour" was the best-selling single released from the album InnamoramentoInnamoramento
Innamoramento is the fifth studio album by Mylène Farmer, released on April 7, 1999.-Background and release:By 1999, Farmer had barely appeared in the media since her 1996 concerts at Paris-Bercy...
.
In Belgium, the single appeared for nine weeks in the Ultratop 40
Ultratop 40
Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization...
, from 9 October to 4 December 1999, with a peak at number 18 in the third week and was ranked at number 99 on 1999 End of the year chart.
Live performances
Farmer promoted the song in two French television shows : Tapis rouge, broadcast on 11 September 1999 on France 2France 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 100% Johnny, on 12 November 1999 on TF1
TF1
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...
, as Farmer was personally invited by Johnny Hallyday
Johnny Hallyday
Johnny Hallyday is a French singer and actor. An icon in the French-speaking world since the beginning of his career, he was considered by some to have been the French Elvis Presley. He was married for 15 years to one of the most popular French female singers: Sylvie Vartan...
.
"Souviens-toi du jour" was performed during the 2000 concerts tour
Mylenium Tour (tour)
Mylenium Tour is Mylène Farmer's 1999-2000 concert tour in support of her fifth studio album, Innamoramento.-Critical reception and commercial success:...
with a simple choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
referring to the universal sign language
Sign language
A sign language is a language which, instead of acoustically conveyed sound patterns, uses visually transmitted sign patterns to convey meaning—simultaneously combining hand shapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, and facial expressions to fluidly express a speaker's...
, with her eight dancers. She wore a red dress with a very long train. After performing the song, Farmer congratulated the audience and said goodbye, then twice repeated twice the chorus with the audience. This performance was included on the live album and the DVD Mylenium Tour
Mylenium Tour
Mylènium Tour is the third live album by Mylène Farmer, released on December 5, 2000.-Background:After having ending her third successful tour whose last shows were held in Russia on March 7, 2000, Farmer rested, and then decided to release an album and a DVD retracing her concert...
.
Formats and track listings
These are the formats and track listings of single releases of "Souviens-toi du jour":- CD single
- CD maxi - Digipack
- 12" maxi / 12" maxi - Promo
- Digital download
- CD single - Promo / CD single - Promo - Luxurious envelope
- DVD - Promo
Release history
| Date | Label | Region | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 August 1999 | Polydor | France, Belgium | CD single - Promo | 9214 |
| 7" maxi - Promo | 0218 | |||
| Early September 1999 | VHS - Promo | — | ||
| 28 September 1999 | CD single | 561 444-2 | ||
| 7" maxi | 561 445-1 | |||
| CD maxi | 561 445-2 | |||
Official versions
| Version | Length | Album | Remixed by | Year | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Album / Single version | 4:55 | Innamoramento Innamoramento Innamoramento is the fifth studio album by Mylène Farmer, released on April 7, 1999.-Background and release:By 1999, Farmer had barely appeared in the media since her 1996 concerts at Paris-Bercy... , Les Mots |
— | 1999 | See the previous sections |
| Radio edit | 4:20 | — | 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 :... |
1999 | This version is shorter on the end. |
| Royal G's radio mix | 3:58 | — | Royal Garden Sound | 1999 | Farmer's voice is put forward. This version is slower than the album one. |
| Royal G's club mix | 6:55 | — | Royal Garden Sound | 1999 | This dance Dance music Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement... and techno Techno Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988... version includes the whole lyrics from the original version. |
| Sweet guitar mix | 4:11 | — | Royal Garden Sound | 1999 | This jazzy version, accompanied by guitar Guitar The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... s, includes the whole of lyrics from the original version. |
| Sweet guitar mix (short version) | 3:45 | — | Royal Garden Sound | 1999 | It is the same version than the 'sweet guitar mix', with one refrain is deleted. |
| Remember mix | 5:18 | — | Stray Dog Music | 1999 | This version is the most rhythm one of all the remixes of "Souviens-toi du jour". Farmer sings in Hebrew during the musical bridge Bridge (music) In music, especially western popular music, a bridge is a contrasting section which also prepares for the return of the original material section... . |
| Music video | 5:07 | Music Videos III Music Videos III Music Videos III is a VHS recorded by the French singer Mylène Farmer, containing all the singer's videoclips from 1999 to 2000. It was released in November 2000 in France.... , Music Videos II & III Music Videos II & III Music Video II & III is a DVD recorded by the French singer Mylène Farmer, containing all the singer's videoclips from 1992 to 2000. It was released in March 2001 in France.... |
— | 1999 | |
| Live version (recorded in 2000) |
5:17 (audio) 7:48 (video) |
Mylenium Tour Mylenium Tour Mylènium Tour is the third live album by Mylène Farmer, released on December 5, 2000.-Background:After having ending her third successful tour whose last shows were held in Russia on March 7, 2000, Farmer rested, and then decided to release an album and a DVD retracing her concert... |
— | 2000 | This live version is very similar to that of the album. On the DVD and VHS, there is one refrain added. (see Mylenium Tour Mylenium Tour (tour) Mylenium Tour is Mylène Farmer's 1999-2000 concert tour in support of her fifth studio album, Innamoramento.-Critical reception and commercial success:... ) |
Credits and personnel
These are the credits and the personnel as they appear on the back of the single:- Mylène Farmer – lyrics
- Laurent Boutonnat – music
- Requiem Publishing – editions
- Polydor – recording company
- Claude Gassian – photo
- Henry Neu / Com'N.B – design
- Made in the E.U.
Peak positions
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop 40 Ultratop 40 singles, often just Ultratop 40, is the weekly chart of best-selling singles in Wallonia and Brussels Capital Region, the french-speaking parts of Belgium. Its equivalent covering the Flanders region is Ultratop 50. Both charts are produced and published by the Ultratop organization... |
18 |
| French Airplay Chart | 8 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 4 |
Certifications and sales
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Silver | 15 December 1999 | 125,000 | 130,000 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1999) | Position |
|---|---|
| Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart | 99 |
| French Singles Chart | 79 |