Gainsbourg made her motion picture debut playing Catherine Deneuve's daughter in the film Paroles et musique (1984). In 1986, Gainsbourg won a César Award for "Most Promising Actress" for L'effrontée, and, in 2000, she won "Best Supporting Actress" for the film La Bûche.
Gainsbourg made her musical debut with her father on the song "Lemon Incest" in 1984. Two years later, she released her debut album Charlotte for Ever, which was produced by her father.
In 2007, Gainsbourg appeared alongside Gael Garcia Bernal in Michel Gondry's La Science des rĂŞves and as Claire in the Todd Haynes directed Bob Dylan biopic I'm Not There, also contributing a cover of the Dylan song "Just Like A Woman" to the film's soundtrack.
In 2006, Gainsbourg released her second album 5:55 to critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching the top spot on the French charts and achieving platinum status in the country. In the UK, the album was moderately successful, reaching #78 (The single The Songs That We Sing only made #129).
Gainsbourg has recently released her third studio album, IRM, which was produced by Beck. One of the influential factors in the album's creative process was her time spent filming Antichrist.
Dandelion
Charlotte Gainsbourg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been a long time since I let my hair hang down
I'll take my time before I go under the ground
Oh dandelion, tell me what you're thinking now
Shape I'm in, I better get back home soon
I got one eye on the road and one eye on the big black moon
Dandelion, won't you tell me what to do
Iron-sides rusting in the railroad rain
Now I found out what the Captain of the Morning was saying
Dandelion, better hope your mother's praying
Dumb luck is only the luck I ever knew
I'd make a wish but I don't think it'd ever come true
Dandelion, I guess I'll leave it up to you
Belle Starr, she doesn't have any shoes
She walks crooked and paints her eyelids blue
Dandelion, I wanna go there too
The first line of the song, "Red River, keep on rolling down," acts as a metaphor for life's inevitable and unstoppable passage. The song's narrator appears to be reflecting on the urgency of time and the knowledge that death is approaching. Charlotte Gainsbourg's use of "letting her hair hang down" as a metaphor for living fully is particularly interesting. Throughout history, women have been socialized to keep their hair contained or hidden, so the act of "letting it hang down" can be seen as an expression of freedom and independence.
The line, "Iron-sides rusting in the railroad rain," is a direct reference to the USS Constitution, which is most commonly referred to as "Old Ironsides." This ship saw heavy use during the War of 1812 and is still commissioned by the US Navy today. However, the singer juxtaposes the ship's impressive history with the fact that it is now rusting away in the rain. This image can be seen as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of all great accomplishments and the inevitability of decay.
The repetition of the phrase "oh dandelion, won't you tell me what to do" throughout the song reveals the singer's sense of confusion and longing for guidance. The dandelion, a plant often associated with wishes and dreams, acts as a symbol of hope and optimism in the midst of life's uncertainties. Belle Starr's mention in the final verse adds a sense of adventure and yearning to the song's overall theme of fleeting time and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
Red River, keep on rolling down
The passing of time never stops, constantly moving forward.
It's been a long time since I let my hair hang down
It's been a while since I've let loose and experienced the freedom that comes with letting go.
I'll take my time before I go under the ground
I'll live my life to the fullest and take every opportunity I can before I die.
Oh dandelion, tell me what you're thinking now
As a symbol of childhood wonder, the dandelion personifies the desire for guidance when one cannot make a decision on their own.
Shape I'm in, I better get back home soon
My current state is not ideal, so it's critical for me to return to the place that feels familiar.
I got one eye on the road and one eye on the big black moon
I have to be on the lookout for any signs of danger and pay attention to any potential threats.
Dandelion, won't you tell me what to do
Again seeking guidance, the dandelion is called upon to make a decision on behalf of the person experiencing angst.
Iron-sides rusting in the railroad rain
The heavy machinery sitting neglected and abandoned in the rain is symbolic of the loss of control and inevitability of aging and decay.
Now I found out what the Captain of the Morning was saying
The mysteries of death have finally been revealed, and the morning's captain, who represents the onset of a new day, should be listened to for guidance.
Dandelion, better hope your mother's praying
The fragility of life is emphasized, and the need for continued support is expressed.
Dumb luck is only the luck I ever knew
The singer has had few opportunities for success and instead attributes fortune to mere coincidence.
I'd make a wish but I don't think it'd ever come true
The artist lacks hope and doesn't believe in the concept of wishes coming true.
Dandelion, I guess I'll leave it up to you
With decisions still to be made, the singer places their trust in the dandelion to guide them along the way.
Belle Starr, she doesn't have any shoes
The reference to infamous female outlaw Belle Starr is used to illustrate the idea that even someone who seems powerful and in control has their own hardships.
She walks crooked and paints her eyelids blue
Belle Starr has her own unique identity, and she boldly embraces it by disregarding societal norms and expectations.
Dandelion, I wanna go there too
The artist wants to break free from the restrictions placed upon them and join Belle Starr in self-expression and individuality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BECK HANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Josh
Lyric:
"Red River, keep on rolling down
It's been a long time since I let my hair hang down
I'll take my time before I go under the ground
Oh dandelion, tell me what you're thinking now
Shape I'm in, I better get back home soon
I got one eye on the road and one eye on the big black moon
Dandelion, won't you tell me what to do
Iron-sides rusting in the railroad rain
Now I found out what the Captain of the Morning was saying
Dandelion, better hope your mother's praying
Dumb luck is only the luck I ever knew
I'd make a wish but I don't think it'd ever come true
Dandelion, I guess I'll leave it up to you
Belle Starr, she doesn't have any shoes
She walks crooked and paints her eyelids blue
Dandelion, I wanna go there too"
Rudy Wilson
love this and EVERYTHING SHE DOES!!!!! Every frame!!!!!!!!!!! CEMENT GARDEN TO MELANCHOLIA..... / so wonderful/beautiful....
Mechelle C
Great song. Rich with metaphor...and meaning ;-)
SS
strange_invitation
I've always considered IRM the album Beck made between Modern Guilt and Morning Phase. He wrote it, produced it, recorded it... he just didn't sing on it. His stamp is recognisable all over it.
Peter Josh
Lyric:
"Red River, keep on rolling down
It's been a long time since I let my hair hang down
I'll take my time before I go under the ground
Oh dandelion, tell me what you're thinking now
Shape I'm in, I better get back home soon
I got one eye on the road and one eye on the big black moon
Dandelion, won't you tell me what to do
Iron-sides rusting in the railroad rain
Now I found out what the Captain of the Morning was saying
Dandelion, better hope your mother's praying
Dumb luck is only the luck I ever knew
I'd make a wish but I don't think it'd ever come true
Dandelion, I guess I'll leave it up to you
Belle Starr, she doesn't have any shoes
She walks crooked and paints her eyelids blue
Dandelion, I wanna go there too"
Rudy Wilson
mAN! WHAT A WILD, BIZZARE , BEAUTIFUL LIFE SHE HAS HAD....FANTASTIC ACTRESS///// SEE HER IN 'JANE EYRE'--amazing...
MA -YA COOKY ABBYPOPSY
đź–¤
CarmelBully
I thought Marc Bolan (T-Rex) had been reincarnated when I heard this song!
Warp75
Just saw a T-Rex 🦖 raise from the dead & started dancing in my lounge
Leah Emerson
My thoughts exactly...long live Marc via Charlotte...and innumerable others!
SĂ©bastien BARBET
Too short pleaaaase give me more <3 <3 <3