She began her musical education at a French conservatory at seven years old. By age 18, she was studying Musicology at the University in Montpellier, France, and then obtained her Master in Musicology at the Sorbonne in Paris. Émilie was intrigued by the idea of combining her traditional musical education with new music technologies and studio experimentations. She developed these interests into unique skills at the cutting edge new technology music school, the IRCAM in Paris, which to this day remains the only center in the world dedicated to contemporary musical research and production, bringing science and art together in order to widen instrumentation and rejuvenate musical language.
Here she met Cyrille Brissot who she still works with today to develop and build specific instruments adapted to Émilie’s needs, both in the studio and on stage, including the “Brissot” - a breathtaking arm controller that allows her to remotely control, modulate and transform her live voice through a series of controlled effects. Émilie uses a variety of other new technology devices including Yamaha’s “Tenori-on” and a variety of other new hardware and software. Émilie uses this technology to give herself a wide range of versatility on stage, including being able to control everything – from beats to multiple instruments to vocal harmonies and modulation simultaneously while alone on stage.
Shortly after Ircam, Émilie Simon signed a record deal with Barclay/Universal France. Since then, she has written, arranged, performed and produced her two records and the original music for the French (original) version of March of the Penguins. There, Émilie used many diverse and inventive techniques including rubbing pieces of ice together to produce beats and sounds, and blended them with her electronic machinery and inviting lyrics.
Despite garnering best album honors in the electronic category at France’s
“Victoires de la Musique” Awards for her debut, and being touted as one of the most promising female artists, the Montpellier-bred chanteuse is quick to champion her independence as an artist over such acclaim. “[Awards] are nice, but it’s like a cherry on top, really,” the singer/songwriter insists. “It’s great when you have the feeling you are doing something important or that you’re understood. But it doesn’t alter the way I work in any way. I’m always thinking back on what I have done, because I don’t want to be redundant. I want to make music without rules, without anybody telling me what I have to do.”
Émilie Simon first made her mark on the U.S. in the fall of 2006 with her debut U.S. release, The Flower Book on Nov. 7, 2006. Her plush, artful soundscapes had already yielded her significant praise and awards in her French homeland, as well as acclaim across the rest of Europe and Japan. Singing in both French and English, Émilie allows her music to flow naturally, rewarding her with devoted fans worldwide. A year and a half after The Flower Book’s release, Émilie is currently residing in New York City and writing her next record. She will be performing shows in NYC this Fall to preview her new material. Having always begun the creative process in the recording studio, and then following with live performances, Émilie is trying a new approach. For the new record, she will let the songs breathe and evolve in a live environment before heading into the studio.
Franky's Princess
Émilie Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not scared
I know that you're gone
but I'm still here
Franky!
I know you can hear me
I'm hanging onto you and
Tell me why I'm still here
When you're not, what's the deal?
I'm still your princess
Still your princess
I don't want you to go
I try so hard but I miss you so
I'm still your princess
Still your princess
Still your princess
Franky!
Where did you go
It's stormy on this road
And I'm alone
Help!
Franky!
Get back here with me
I won't let go of your hand
Because I need you here with me
The song "Franky's Princess" by Emilie Simon is emotional and haunting. The lyrics evoke a sense of loss and longing for someone who has gone away, presumably died. The singer, "Franky," is missing and the singer of the song is left alone, searching for answers and a way to keep their connection alive.
The singer addresses Franky directly, telling him that she's not scared, but is still holding on to him despite his absence. She wonders why she's still here without him and why he had to leave. She affirms that she is Franky's princess, no matter what, and wishes that he had not gone. The line "It's stormy on this road" suggests that the singer is lost and struggling to find her way without Franky. She pleads with him to come back and stay with her because she needs him.
The song is an expression of grief and the struggle to move on after losing someone special. The chorus "I'm still your princess" is a reminder that the bond between the singer and Franky is strong, and that the loss is still deeply felt. The lyrics of "Franky's Princess" are simple and direct, yet they convey deep emotions and create a powerful connection with the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Franky!
The singer invokes the person she's addressing, who is Franky.
I'm not scared
The singer is not scared despite Franky's absence.
I know that you're gone
The singer is aware that Franky is no longer around.
but I'm still here
Despite Franky's absence, the singer is still present and alive.
Franky!
The singer addresses Franky again, communicating that he can hear her.
I know you can hear me
The singer believes that Franky can hear her, implying that he is not entirely gone.
I'm hanging onto you and
The singer is clinging to Franky's memory and what he meant to her.
I don't think I'm crazy
The singer is not delusional even though she is keeping Franky's memory alive in her heart and mind.
Tell me why I'm still here
The singer is questioning why she is still alive and Franky is not.
When you're not, what's the deal?
The singer is frustrated with life's unfairness since she is still alive and Franky isn't.
I'm still your princess
The singer still considers herself Franky’s princess, even though he is not around anymore.
I don't want you to go
The singer doesn't want Franky to leave her and wishes he was here next to her.
I try so hard but I miss you so
Despite trying hard to move on, the singer misses Franky deeply.
Franky!
The singer is still addressing Franky, expressing her feeling of being lost without him.
Where did you go
The singer is asking where Franky went and how she can find him again.
It's stormy on this road
The singer is going through a tough time and struggling without Franky by her side.
And I'm alone
The singer is feeling lonely without Franky and seeks comfort and help.
Help!
The singer is calling for help and support in dealing with Franky's loss.
Franky!
The singer addresses Franky again, looking for his presence to deal with her emotions.
Get back here with me
The singer wants Franky to return and be with her again.
I won't let go of your hand
The singer wants to hold on to Franky's memory and the life they had together.
Because I need you here with me
The singer needs Franky's presence to cope with the pain of his absence.
Contributed by Skyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.