When Alain Bashung was one year old he was sent to the Strasbourg area, in Wingersheim, to stay with his grandparents. He spent his childhood in the country in a conservative environment. When he was five years old he discovered Music most notably Kurt Weill, as he played harmonica. He was also a Choirboy in the church at Wingersheim and played basket-ball. At School he was regarded serious child.
He returned to Paris in 1959, where he discovered the great names of Chanson Française, the radio, American Rock with Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley. Whilst studying to become an accountant, he started a short lived Band with friends “les Dunces” whose style swong between Folk and Rockabilly. He quickly dropped his studies.
Bashung started a band with musicians met in Royan, a new band playing in Restaurants, Hotels and most of all the American bases. his career started with some difficulties with the release of his first single at 19 years of age “Pourquoi rêvez-vous des États-Unis ?” in 1966. He released a dozen singles, one using the pseudonym David Bergen, and two others. In 1971/1972 under the pseudonym "Hendrick Darmen" compositor and singer of the band “Monkey Bizness”. He wrote a number of songs for stars of the time like Noël Deschamps, but doesn't appear to have reached success.
In 1973, he played Robespierre in the Musical “La Révolution française” written by Claude-Michel Schönberg. He met Dick Rivers the singer of Les Chats Sauvages, for whom he composed and produced music.
He met musician Andy Scott and the songwriter Boris Bergman, and in 1977 wrote his first innovative LP “Romans photos”, though it was a Commercial failure in the context of Punk storming music.
In 1979, he released “Roulette russe”, a very dark and more Rock orientated album.
He confirmed his talent with critical acclaim and public success in 1981, with the rock influenced album “pizza”, mainly with one single from the album “Gaby, oh Gaby” that finally got Bashung success in the charts in 1981 followed by the single “Vertige de l'amour”, and started touring the bigger venues Notably “l'Olympia” in Paris.
In 1982, Bashung collaborated with Serge Gainsbourg on the complex album “Play blessures”, that did not achieve commercial success.
In 1983, he confused his fan base with an album deviating from the previous rock style, “Figure imposée”. In 1985, he came back with a number of titles written for “SOS Racisme” (anti-racism organisation).
In 1986, he released “Passé le Rio Grande”, which won him a “Victoire de la Musique”. Two singles achieved some success over the airwaves: “Malédiction” and “L'arrivée du tour”. However the album itself did not sell much.
In 1992, he started a long partnership with writer Jean Fauque, for “Osez Joséphine”, an album which also contains some cover of classic Rock such as “Night in White Satin”. His fan base grew and the album sold 350 000 copies. In 1994, he followed up with “Chatterton,” collaborating with Sonny Landreth, Ally McErlaine, Link Wray, Marc Ribot and Stéphane Belmondo. The key single extracted from this album is “Ma petite entreprise.” He started a two-year tour that results in the 1995 live album, “Confessions publiques.”
After recording a duet with Brigitte Fontaine "City" for her album "Les Palaces", Bashung returned to the musical world following a stint acting and in 1998 with “Fantaisie militaire”. While making this album in collaboration with Rodolphe Burger, Les Valentins and Jean-Marc Lederman. He will receive three Victoires de la Musique for the Album in 1999.
In 2002, he released the “L'imprudence” album to further critical acclaim. During the same year, he recorded with his wife, actress and comedian Chloé Mons “le Cantique des cantiques”. They created this title for their wedding in 2001, on a music written by Rodolphe Burger and on the basis a a new translation of the “Cantique des cantiques” from the Bible by the Author Olivier Cadiot.
In 2004, he released live double album “La tournée des grands espaces."
In 2005, for the twentieth Victoires de la Musique, he received an award for the best album of the last 20 years for “Fantaisie militaire.”
In the beginning of 2007, he participates in the tour “Les Aventuriers d'un autre Monde” with Jean-Louis Aubert (Téléphone), Cali, Daniel Darc, Richard Kolinka (Téléphone) and Raphaeël.
In March 2009, he recieved three Victoires de la Musique for his last album "Bleu Pétrol".
He passed away on March 14th, 2009 of complications of metastatic lung cancer.
Poisson D'Avril
Alain Bashung Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I'm ready for love
Nothing's ever planned when I decide
Come on
Eddy's in love
Sally double-locked my soul
Help you God
You bet we eat together
I'm just cleaning clouds
Wild people have reaction
On wedding day
Even though a plane may never land
We are commonly down
Nothing ever goes out of my shoes
Come on
Ladies in gown
Nothing in this precious tale
Can hold you
Now now now
You bet we bet together
I'm just cleaning clowns
No one lives without a secret
On wedding day
No one ever goes out of my shoes
Come on
Sally, come on
No one ever dreams instead of us
Come on
Sally, come on
Nothing in this precious tale
Can hold you
Now now now
You bet we bet together
I'm just cleaning clowns
Wild people have reaction
On wedding day
Nothing ever goes out of my shoes
When I'm ready for love
Nothing's ever planned when I decide
Come on
Eddy's in love
Sally double-locked my soul
Help you God
Now now now
The lyrics of Alain Bashung's song "Poisson D'Avril" appear quite enigmatic at first glance. The track revolves around the themes of love, secrets, and emotional claustrophobia. Bashung's lyrics skillfully capture the emotional turmoil and vulnerability of being in love, while also hinting at the contradictory nature of human relationships.
The song opens with the lines "Nothing ever goes out of my shoes, when I'm ready for love." Here, the metaphorical reference to shoes suggests the inescapable nature of love and implies that once someone falls in love, the feeling never leaves them. The repeated use of phrases like "now now now" and "Come on" can be interpreted as a plea for immediate action or a desire for something to happen.
The lines "Sally double-locked my soul, help you God" could be a reference to a past relationship, where the singer felt trapped and couldn't escape the emotional turmoil. The lines "You bet we eat together, I'm just cleaning clouds wild people have reaction on wedding day," evoke the image of social rituals, like marriage, which are often observed in society but are challenging to comprehend.
Overall, "Poisson D'Avril" is a thought-provoking song that can mean different things to different listeners. It's an exceptional piece of lyricism that captures the elusive and complex nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing ever goes out of my shoes
No matter what happens, my essence remains unchanged in the face of any situation.
When I'm ready for love
I only express myself when I am confident and truly genuine in my feelings.
Nothing's ever planned when I decide
My choices and actions are never predetermined and carefully thought out. I live in the moment and trust my instincts.
Come on
An invitation to others to join me in my carefree ways, to let loose and enjoy life together.
Eddy's in love
A reference to a friend or someone I know who is currently in a romantic relationship.
Sally double-locked my soul
A metaphor for feeling trapped or in a state of emotional vulnerability due to a past romantic relationship or personal trauma.
Help you God
An expression of desperation or surrender to a higher power for guidance or relief from emotional pain.
You bet we eat together
I am confident in our friendship/relationship and that we will continue to share experiences and moments together.
I'm just cleaning clouds
I am clearing my mind and letting go of any stresses or worries.
Wild people have reaction
People who live uninhibited and freely may have unexpected responses or emotions that may surprise others.
On wedding day
A significant moment of celebration and commitment, where emotions and reactions may be heightened.
Even though a plane may never land
Despite the uncertainty of the future or the possibility of failure or disappointment, I live in the present and embrace the unknown.
We are commonly down
We share common experiences of struggle and hardship in life.
Ladies in gown
A reference to the elegance, beauty, and grace of women dressing up for special occasions.
Nothing in this precious tale
No external factors or obstacles can interfere with the true essence of our story and our emotions.
Can hold you
You are unbreakable, unshakeable, and unstoppable in your pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.
You bet we bet together
I have complete trust and faith in our bond and partnership, and together we will achieve greatness.
No one lives without a secret
Everyone has a hidden aspect or dimension of their personality, desires, or past that they keep hidden from others.
No one ever dreams instead of us
No one can replace the unique and special connection we share, and no one can dream the same dreams or see the world in the same way we do.
Sally, come on
A personal plea or request directed towards someone named Sally to open up and let go of their emotional walls.
Lyrics © SM PUBLISHING FRANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Chantal Baschung, Alain Bashung, Pascal Jacquemin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alain B.
on La fille de la maison des dunes
Elle verra la vie qu’il me faut
Dans du marc de thé chaud
Car elle sait tous les secrets du tarot
Je me noie dans ses cheveux noirs
(je) Suis enfin au pouvoir
Car elle m’apprend à aimer et à voir
Elle m’apprend à aimer et à voir
La fille de la maison des dunes
La fille des brumes
La fille de la maison des dunes
La fille des brumes
Je me vois comme un bout d’étoile
Dans sa boule de cristal
Et je ne vois pas bien ou est le mal
Où est le mal
D’accord elle est un peu sorcière
La fille aux mains de pierre
Mais elle m’apprend à aimer et à voir
Elle m’apprend à aimer et à voir
La fille de la maison des dunes
La fille des brumes
La fille de la maison des dunes
La fille des brumes
Plus je me la mets dans la tête
Plus j’deviens une sorte de mouette
Plus je vole dans son monde de flou
Plus je m’éloigne de vous
Je me brûle à son soleil noir
Terriens, bonsoir…
Oui elle m’apprend à aimer et à voir
Elle m’apprend à aimer et à voir
La fille de la maison des dunes
La fille des brumes
La fille de la maison des dunes
La fille des brumes
…