After a huge success at the most famous French Festival in Bourges in 2004, Amélie-les-crayons then won the 2 Prizes of Montauban French Chanson Festival. In july, Quebec offered her the renowned Felix Leclerc Prize for her work and 6 months later, it was Belgium who congratulated Amélie with the Charleroi Festival Great Prize. The album "et pourquoi les crayons ?" released in June sold about 30 000 copies in a year, which is rather exceptional for a French independant band.
Sweet and serene in real life, Amélie metamorphoses on stage: the young girl becomes an astonishing show girl! And the boys show a great talent for playing the piano, tuba, clarinet (Heiko), accordion (Michel) or double bass (Laurent).
De nous non
Amélie-les-crayons Lyrics
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Des vieilles histoires et des martiens
Des lendemains d'soirées (mais de nous non)
De la guerre si, des bombes aussi
Du bruit, des trous, des pièges
Des gens, des poules, d'la pollution (mais de nous non)
Des fleurs qui meurent, la vaisselle casse
Du gris et des fillasses
Du cri du nourrisson (mais de nous non...)
De l'hiver, du ski, du soleil, du vent et des méchants
Des fantômes et des abeilles
Des bruits bizarres dans la maison (mais de nous non)
De la crotte de chien du pied droit, des angines et des clous
Du compte à sec, du ratafia,
Des beaux garçons
(mais de nous non...)
The lyrics of Amélie-les-crayons's song De nous non are a list of things that the singer is afraid of, but concludes that she is not afraid of "us" ("mais de nous non"). The list starts with typical fears such as spiders, acrobats, and old stories but then moves into more abstract fears such as war, noise, and pollution. The singer also includes some small and mundane things, like broken dishes and dead flowers, as well as more grandiose things like ghosts and winter sports. However, the chorus reassures the listener that despite all of these fears, she is not afraid of "us," whoever that may be.
The lyrics of "De nous non" have a whimsical and somewhat childlike quality to them, as if the singer is listing all of her fears in a stream-of-consciousness style. The repetition of "mais de nous non" at the end of each line draws the listener's attention to the fact that despite all of these fears, the singer is not afraid of "us," creating a sense of comfort and safety.
Overall, the lyrics of "De nous non" are a playful exploration of fear and security, urging the listener to focus on the things that bring them comfort and not to be consumed by their fears.
Line by Line Meaning
J'ai peur des araignées, des trapézistes, des arriérés
I am afraid of spiders, trapeze artists, and people who are behind in life.
Des vieilles histoires et des martiens
I am afraid of old stories and aliens.
Des lendemains d'soirées (mais de nous non)
I am afraid of the aftermath of parties (but not of us).
De la guerre si, des bombes aussi
I am afraid of war and bombs too.
Du bruit, des trous, des pièges
I am afraid of noise, holes, and traps.
Des gens, des poules, d'la pollution (mais de nous non)
I am afraid of people, chickens, and pollution (but not of us).
Des fleurs qui meurent, la vaisselle casse
I am afraid of flowers dying and dishes breaking.
Du gris et des fillasses
I am afraid of grayness and foolishness.
Des pies qui jacassent
I am afraid of chatty magpies.
Du cri du nourrisson (mais de nous non...)
I am afraid of a baby's crying (but not of us).
De l'hiver, du ski, du soleil, du vent et des méchants
I am afraid of winter, skiing, sun, wind, and villains.
Des fantômes et des abeilles
I am afraid of ghosts and bees.
Des bruits bizarres dans la maison (mais de nous non)
I am afraid of strange noises in the house (but not of us).
De la crotte de chien du pied droit, des angines et des clous
I am afraid of dog poop on my right foot, tonsillitis, and nails.
Du compte à sec, du ratafia,
I am afraid of being broke and of a strong alcoholic drink.
Des beaux garçons (mais de nous non...)
I am afraid of handsome boys (but not of us).
Contributed by Xavier K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.