Lulu
Alain Souchon Lyrics

The lyrics of Alain Souchon's song "Lulu" paint a complex picture of conflicting emotions and experiences in a relationship. The song opens with the line "Je t'aime beaucoup mais je t'aime pas" which translates to "I love you a lot but I don't love you." This immediately sets the tone of a love that is paradoxical and filled with ambivalence.

The next line, "On le fait beaucoup puis on le fait pas," refers to making love frequently and then abruptly stopping. This could suggest a pattern of inconsistency and unreliability in the relationship, where passion and intimacy are present at times but disappear just as quickly. Similarly, "Je te trompe beaucoup mais je te trompe pas" reveals infidelity within the relationship, further emphasizing a lack of commitment and trust.

The chorus poses a fundamental question: "L'amour c'est quoi Lulu? Qu'est-ce qui t'a plu beaucoup et puis plus?" This translates to "What is love Lulu? What pleased you a lot and then disappeared?" These lines encapsulate the main theme of the song, questioning the nature of love, its transient nature, and the puzzling aspects of attraction and desire.

The following lines, "Roulez, boules tombées, Des branches de mimosas fanés," provide a metaphorical image of fallen mimosa branches, symbolizing faded romance and forgotten memories. This imagery reflects the cycle of love that has wilted and lost its vibrancy, leaving behind a sense of sadness and nostalgia.

The song continues to explore the theme of inconsistency and uncertainty. The lyrics mention friends who used to call but no longer do so, highlighting the transitory nature of relationships and the feeling of being left behind. This pattern extends to the singer themselves, who claims to live and laugh a lot but suggests a lack of true fulfillment and happiness.

In the final verse, "Je sors beaucoup mais je sors pas, Tu t'en fais pour moi mais t'en fais pas," the singer reveals a paradoxical behavior of going out frequently but not really going out, suggesting a desire for freedom and independence while simultaneously needing reassurance and concern from their partner. This contradiction echoes the earlier lines, expressing a struggle between wanting love and emotional involvement while also fearing its potential complications.

As a whole, "Lulu" provides a reflection on the complexities of love, exploring themes of ambivalence, inconsistency, and the transient nature of relationships. The song captures the bittersweetness of love, highlighting the struggles and contradictions that often come with it.