Belle
Alif Tree Lyrics
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Je suis très cruelle
Mais c'est un engrenage
Parce que je suis très...
Belle
[Translation]
I am not wise
But it's a gear
Because I am very...
Beautiful
The song "Belle" by Alif Tree is a haunting and introspective exploration of the complexities of beauty and its relationship with cruelty. The song is sung in French and in a melancholic tone, with the lyrics expressing a sense of resignation and even shame about the singer's beauty and the power it holds over others. The phrase "Je suis très cruelle" (I am very cruel) is particularly striking, as it suggests that the singer is aware of the ways in which they use their beauty to manipulate and hurt others.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer is aware of the ways in which their beauty is not entirely under their control - the phrase "C'est un engrenage" (It's a gear) suggests that beauty and cruelty are intertwined and almost mechanistic, as though the singer is caught in a cycle that they cannot escape. The repetition of the word "Belle" at the end of the song is both disarming and unsettling, as it reinforces the idea that the singer's beauty is their defining characteristic, the thing that sets them apart from others even as it causes them pain.
Overall, "Belle" is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the darker aspects of beauty and its relationship with power and control.
Line by Line Meaning
Je ne suis pas sage
I am not knowledgeable or sensible
Je suis très cruelle
I exhibit behavior that causes pain and suffering to others
Mais c'est un engrenage
But it is a cycle or mechanism
Parce que je suis très...
Because I possess a certain quality or characteristic
Belle
That quality or characteristic is physical beauty
Contributed by Alyssa D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.