He first came to the music industry's attention with his collaboration with, and arrangements for, Keren Ann and his sister Coralie Clément. Finally earning a solo contract after many years of struggle, Biolay released his debut album, Rose Kennedy, in 2002. A concept album, Rose Kennedy looks at early 1960s America through the cataractic eyes of the late matriarch, who went from attending dinner parties to suffering the assassination of two of her sons.
Next up was Négatif, a double CD full of sometimes violent imagery surrounding a group of drifters, which included a disaffected, oddly sympathetic, american named Billy Bob. Biolay released two albums in 2005, A L'origine (translated: In The Beginning) is a darker, denser work than his previous outings, while Home is a light, sunny duet album with his wife, started when they noticed that they needed good road trip CD to listen to while on vacation. He has also written film scores, songs and arrangements for such beloved french stars as Francoise Hardy, Juliette Greco and Henri Salvador.
He worked with Elodie Frégé on her second album Le Jeu des 7 erreurs
(including lead single "La Ceinture") which was released in autumn 2006.
Douloureux dedans
Benjamin Biolay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comment as-tu pu... par derrière ?
Comment l'ai-je su, comment l'ai-je su ?
Comment l'ai-je su ? Les vipères
Comment as-tu cru, comment as-tu cru ?
Comment as-tu cru... me la faire ?
Qu'avait-il de plus, qu'avait-il de plus ?
Qu'avait-il de plus... pour te plaire ?
Comment as-tu pu, comment as-tu pu ?
Comment as-tu pu... par derrière ?
Ta jupe est fendue. Ta jupe est fendue.
Ta jupe est fendue, tu as l'air...
D'une fille des rues, d'une fille des rues
D'une fille des rues... sans mystère.
À cette heure indue, je sais j'aurais dû
Je sais j'aurais dû, me taire.
C'est douloureux dedans
C'est douloureux dedans
C'est délicieux pourtant
Je manque un peu de cran
C'est contagieux, va-t’en
C'est contagieux, va-t’en
Est-ce les mots crus, est-ce les mots crus ?
Est-ce les mots crus... le savoir-faire ?
Dis-moi si l'élu, dis-mois si l'élu
Dis-moi si l'élu... passera l'hiver
Ce qu'on fait n'est plus, ce qu'on fait n'est plus
Ce qu'on fait n'est plus... à faire
Je n’te suivrai plus dans la neige écrue
Dans la neige écrue... en enfer, car
C'est douloureux dedans
C'est douloureux dedans
C'est délicieux pourtant
Je manque un peu de cran
C'est douloureux dedans
J'ai les yeux plein de sang
C'est contagieux, va-t’en
C'est contagieux, va-t’en
C'est douloureux dedans
C'est douloureux dedans
C'est délicieux pourtant
Je manque un peu de cran
C'est douloureux dedans
J'ai les yeux plein de sang
C'est contagieux, va-t’en
C'est contagieux, va-t’en
C'est douloureux dedans
C'est douloureux dedans
Mon amour écoeurant
Je t'aimais mieux avant
C'est douloureux, va-t’en
Va-t'en
The lyrics of Benjamin Biolay's song "Douloureux dedans" (Painful Inside) tell a story of betrayal and heartache. The song seems to be addressing a lover who has cheated and been caught, with the singer questioning how they could have done such a thing and how they could have been so blind. At the heart of the song is the painful realization that love can be both beautiful and terrible, and that even when we know it's hurting us, it can be hard to let go.
The opening lines "Comment as-tu pu, comment as-tu pu? Comment as-tu pu...par derrière?" (How could you have done it, how could you have... from behind?) suggest that the singer has discovered their lover cheating in a particularly hurtful and deceitful way. As the song continues, the singer asks how they could have been so blind to the betrayal, and questions what the other person saw in their partner's new love interest. The repeated refrain "C'est douloureux dedans" (It's painful inside) underlines the central theme of the song - that love can cause immense emotional pain even when it's also pleasurable.
The song's ambiguous lyrics and sparse instrumentation (just a repeating bass line and occasional keyboard flourishes) give it a haunting quality, underscoring the sense of unease and confusion at the heart of the story. Overall, "Douloureux dedans" is a powerful and complex exploration of love and betrayal, and the ways in which they can both delight and destroy us.
Line by Line Meaning
Comment as-tu pu, comment as-tu pu ?
Asking how one could have done something, especially with a sense of disbelief and maybe even anger. In this case, asking how the person could have done something deceitful from behind.
Comment l'ai-je su, comment l'ai-je su ?
Asking how one found out about something. In this case, how the singer found out about the deceitful act.
Comment as-tu cru, comment as-tu cru ?
Asking how one could have believed something. In this case, how the person could have thought they could deceive the singer.
Qu'avait-il de plus, qu'avait-il de plus ?
Asking what the other person had that the artist didn't. In this case, the artist is trying to understand why the other person was chosen over them.
Ta jupe est fendue. Ta jupe est fendue.
Informing the person that their skirt is split. This could be seen as a metaphor for something that is revealing or inappropriate.
D'une fille des rues, d'une fille des rues
Comparing the person to a girl from the streets, suggesting they look unkempt, unrefined, or at the very least, not appropriate for the situation.
À cette heure indue, je sais j'aurais dû
Admitting fault, realizing that they shouldn't have done or said something at this late hour.
C'est douloureux dedans
Something is causing pain or discomfort inside. This line is repeated throughout the song and seems to indicate that the situation or relationship is not healthy.
C'est délicieux pourtant
Despite the pain, there is still an element of pleasure or enjoyment. This could mean that the artist is addicted to the situation or the other person despite the pain it causes.
Je manque un peu de cran
Admitting to a lack of courage or bravery. Despite enjoying the situation, the artist may not have the guts to do what they really want.
C'est contagieux, va-t’en
Something is spreading, and the singer is telling someone to leave to avoid catching it. It could be interpreted in a literal or metaphorical sense, but it seems to mean that the situation is harmful or toxic.
Est-ce les mots crus, est-ce les mots crus ?
Asking if the other person was turned on by vulgar or explicit language. This line could suggest that the relationship is more physical than emotional.
Dis-moi si l'élu, dis-mois si l'élu
Asking if the person chosen by the other will stay with them throughout the winter. This could be seen as an analogy for a long-term commitment or loyalty.
Ce qu'on fait n'est plus, ce qu'on fait n'est plus
Admitting that what the people involved are doing is no longer acceptable or appropriate. This could mean that they are crossing a line or that they are tired of the situation.
Je n’te suivrai plus dans la neige écrue
Indicating that the singer will no longer follow the other person into the unknown, the difficult, or into harsh conditions. It could be interpreted literally or metaphorically.
Mon amour écoeurant
Describing love as sickening, disgusting, or nauseating. This could mean that the artist has fallen out of love or that the relationship is no longer healthy.
Je t'aimais mieux avant
Expressing regret for the current state of the relationship. The artist remembers when things were better between them but acknowledges that it's no longer the case.
Va-t'en
A command to leave or to go away. This could suggest that the singer has decided to end the relationship or that they want to put some distance between themselves and the other person.
Contributed by Kaelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.