Nouveau Français
Amel Bent Lyrics

In Amel Bent's song "Nouveau Français," she speaks about the struggles of being categorized and stereotyped in French society. She sings, "Casés dans des cases/Fiché sur des fiches/Aux discours de bases/Et frond sur la fiche" which can be translated to "Boxed in boxes/On file on files/With basic speeches/And criticism on the file." She addresses the fact that even though people are tired of being judged and categorized, it's still prevalent in society. "Même si y en a marre/Sans juger personne/Y a qu'a seulement voir les cliché qu'on donne," meaning "Even if everyone is fed up/Without judging anyone/We can only see the cliches that are given."

Bent also speaks about being a new French citizen and it not being an easy feat. She notes the constant battles faced, "Gêné par les gênes/Miné par les mines/Les casseroles qu'ont traînent/C'est le cœur qui souligne," translated to "Embarrassed by genes/Undermined by mines/The pots that we carry/It's the heart that emphasizes." She continues to say that despite all of this, she recognizes the privilege of being in this country and being considered a "new French citizen." "Nouveau français/Un français nouveau/Nouveau Français/Sous le même drapeau/Sans même un besoin de reconnaissance/Mais ni plus ni moins qu'un enfant de la France, un enfant de la France, de la France," meaning "New French/A new Frenchman/New French/Under the same flag/Without even needing recognition/But no more, no less than a child of France, a child of France, of France."

Overall, "Nouveau Français" addresses the issues of labeling and being stereotyped in French society. It also highlights the struggle of becoming a new citizen in a foreign land while recognizing the privilege that comes with it.