Terminus
Ariane Moffatt Lyrics

In Ariane Moffatt's song Terminus, the lyrics paint a picture of the difficulties and sacrifices that come with prioritizing music before anything else in life. The lines "J'ai fait passer la musique avant moi et toi, avant la musique" (I put music before myself and you, before music) describe the choice that the singer made to put their passion for music above personal relationships. The following lines "Les doigts tachés par le fric" (Fingers stained by money) indicate the tradeoffs they have made to pursue a career in music.

The second verse continues this theme of sacrifice with the lines "Clouée sur piédestal, je laisse ma peau pour pas cher" (Nailed to a pedestal, I give away my skin for cheap). The singer feels trapped in their success and has lost their sense of identity in the pursuit of it. They are also realistic about the consequences of success, acknowledging that "le succès peut être amer" (success can be bitter).

The chorus "Je me réveille au terminus, sans caresses, sans chorus" (I wake up at the terminus, without caresses, without chorus) portrays the loneliness and emptiness that comes with the singer's choice to prioritize music over everything else. The final line "Perdue dans le premier autobus" (Lost on the first bus) suggests that the singer is adrift and directionless.

Overall, Terminus is a poignant reflection on the costs of success and the difficulty of pursuing one's passion at the expense of personal connections and identity.