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.
Lise
Émilie Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qui déstabilisent
Les valises de Lise sont pleines d'air
Que veux-tu que je lui dise?
Elle fait tout de travers
Elle fonctionne à l'enver ssous ses airs de marquises
Se lisent autour d'un verre
(Se lisent autour d'un verre)
Les vers de Lise
Se lisent autour d'un verre
(Se lisent autour)
Elle ne manque pas d'air
Il faudrait que tu lises
Un ou deux de ses vers légers comme une brise
Lise, elle n'est jamais acquise
Ton cœur, elle te le brise
Ton âme, elle te la perd, en écrivant ses vers
Les vers de Lise
Se lisent autour d'un verre
(Vers de Lise)
(Se lisent autour d'un verre)
Les vers de Lise
Se lisent autour d'un verre
De Lise
Lise, une fille singulière
Elle te tourne à l'envers, elle n'est pas si soumise
Elle te fait changer d'air
Lise, elle déguise ses vers
Pour ne pas être comprise, pour ne pas être prise
Pour une terre à terre
Les vers de Lise
Se lisent autour d'un verre
(Vers de Lise)
(Se lisent autour d'un verre)
Les vers de Lise
Se lisent autour d'un verre
(Se lisent autour)
(De Lise)
The lyrics of Emilie Simon's song, "Lise," portray the character of Lise as being unpredictable and constantly destabilizing. The singer describes Lise as having a different way of functioning, which causes confusion and frustration. Despite her seemingly carefree attitude, Lise possesses a talent for writing, and her verses are described as light and breezy. The song emphasizes the emotional toll that Lise's behavior can take on those around her, particularly in regards to matters of the heart and soul.
The chorus of the song speaks to Lise's unique personality, which is not easily understood by others. She is described as being "singulière," or singular, and not at all submissive. Lise is able to make those around her feel as though they are in a different world, which can be both exhilarating and disorienting. The final lines of the song suggest that Lise may intentionally obscure the meaning of her verses to avoid being seen as ordinary or mundane.
Overall, "Lise" is a song that explores the complexities of personality and the impact one can have on others through their individuality. Through the lens of Emilie Simon's poetic lyrics, Lise is depicted as both fascinating and frustrating, leaving listeners to decide for themselves whether or not her efforts to be unique are worth the emotional turmoil they may cause.
Line by Line Meaning
Lise prend des airs
Lise puts on airs, projecting an image that may not be true to who she really is.
Qui déstabilisent
These airs are unsettling, causing others to feel uneasy or uncertain around her.
Les valises de Lise
Lise's suitcases, metaphorically representing her baggage, history, or identity.
Sont pleines d'air
These suitcases are full of air or nothingness, suggesting that Lise may lack substance or depth.
Que veux-tu que je lui dise
What can I possibly say to her, given her elusive nature or enigmatic personality?
Elle fait tout de travers
She does everything the wrong way, suggesting that Lise may be unconventional or unorthodox in her approach to life.
Elle fonctionne à l'envers
She operates in reverse, suggesting that Lise may go against the norm or challenge the status quo.
Sous ses airs de marquises
Beneath her airs of sophistication or aristocracy, implying that Lise may have a facade that hides her true self.
Les vers de Lise
Lise's verses, her creative expression or art form.
Se lisent autour d'un verre
They are read or shared in a casual, social setting, suggesting that Lise's poetry may be accessible or relatable to others.
Elle ne manque pas d'air
She's not lacking audacity or confidence, implying that Lise may be bold or daring in her actions or words.
Il faudrait que tu lises
You should read her work, suggesting that Lise's poetry may have value or merit.
Un ou deux de ses vers
A few of her lines, enough to give you a taste or a glimpse of her art.
Légers comme une brise
Light as a breeze, indicating that Lise's poetry may have a delicate or subtle touch.
Lise, elle n'est jamais acquise
Lise is never yours to keep, suggesting that she is elusive or unpredictable in her relationships or interactions.
Ton cœur elle te le brise
She breaks your heart or your expectations, implying that Lise may be emotionally distant or detached.
Ton âme elle te la perd
She makes you lose your soul or your identity, suggesting that Lise may have a profound impact on others.
En écrivant ses vers
Through writing her poetry, hinting that Lise may use her art to express herself or to influence others.
Lise, une fille singulière
Lise, a unique or unconventional girl, suggesting that she stands out or deviates from the norm.
Elle te tourne à l'envers
She turns you upside down, implying that Lise may have a disorienting or transformative effect on you.
Elle n'est pas si soumise
She's not so submissive or compliant, suggesting that Lise may be rebellious or independent in her thinking or behavior.
Elle te fait changer d'air
She makes you change your mind or your environment, implying that Lise may have a refreshing or inspiring influence on you.
Lise, elle déguise ses vers
Lise disguises her poetry, hiding its true meaning or intention.
Pour ne pas être comprise
So as not to be understood, suggesting that Lise may deliberately obscure or obscure her message.
Pour ne pas être prise
So as not to be taken or captured, indicating that Lise may resist or reject attempts to define or control her.
Pour une terre à terre
For a down-to-earth or realistic interpretation, implying that Lise may be critiquing or questioning conventional wisdom or values.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Emilie Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind