Brigitte Fontaine, born in 1939 in Morlaix, France is a singer of avant-gar… Read Full Bio ↴Brigitte Fontaine, born in 1939 in Morlaix, France is a singer of avant-garde music. Her narrative music is experimental. She is also a writer, comedienne, playwright, and poet.

During the course of her career she employed numerous unusual musical styles, melting rock and roll, folk, free jazz, spoken word poetry and world rhythms. She collaborated with such celebrated musicians as Jean-Claude Vannier, Areski, Jacques Higelin, Sonic Youth, Stereolab, Noir Désir, Grace Jones, Gotan Project, Archie Shepp, Arno, Georges Moustaki and Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Tanka II
Brigitte Fontaine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

— Bon...
— Bon...
— Bon...

J'ai dessiné dans l'air
Un beau dessin pour toi
Quand tu n'étais pas là
Mon amour

Je t'ai appelé d'un nom très doux
Très tendrement très bas
Quand tu étais au loin
Mon amour

Mais je n'ai jamais pu te voir
Car dès que tu viens
Je baisse les yeux
Je regarde mes ongles
Et je dis
Que je dois aller voir
Des amis... malades

Mon Dieu, mon Dieu

Merci d'avoir inventé Marx
Vous étiez pas forcék

Overall Meaning

In Brigitte Fontaine's song Tanka II, the opening lines "Bon... Bon... Bon..." could be interpreted as a reflection of a sense of awkwardness or hesitation. The singer then describes how they have drawn a beautiful picture in the air for their lover when they were not around. They also confess to calling them a sweet and gentle name when they were far away.

However, when their lover is present, the singer is unable to look at them directly. Whenever the lover comes around, the singer becomes nervous and decides to look at their nails and make an excuse to go see sick friends. This inability to directly confront their feelings suggests a sense of insecurity or fear of rejection.

The final lines of the song invoke the name of Marxist philosopher Karl Marx, thanking God for having "invented" him. This unexpected mention of Marx may be seen as a nod towards Fontaine's own Marxist beliefs, or could be interpreted as a humorous quip about the singer's own inability to confront their feelings, instead seeking solace in philosophies and ideologies.

Line by Line Meaning

Bon...
Repetition of 'bon' depicts a sense of ambiguity and restlessness

J'ai dessiné dans l'air
The singer drew an imaginary picture in the air

Un beau dessin pour toi
It was a beautiful picture meant for the listener

Quand tu n'étais pas là
The picture was drawn when the listener was absent

Mon amour
The listener is addressed as 'my love'

Je t'ai appelé d'un nom très doux
The singer used a very sweet name to address the listener

Très tendrement très bas
It was said very lovingly and in a low tone

Quand tu étais au loin
The listener was far away when the artist called out

Mais je n'ai jamais pu te voir
The artist has never been able to see the listener

Car dès que tu viens
The listener arrives, but the artist's behavior changes

Je baisse les yeux
The singer avoids eye contact