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 rêves 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.
Les crocodiles
Charlotte Gainsbourg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
C'était au temps des crocodiles glissants
J'avais des airs de gosse si différents
Perplexe face à ces rêves récurrents
Le charme s'éteint un peu
Et je ferme les yeux
Revenez victorieux
Pas à moitié j'étais absolument
En garde et sans merci résolument
Mon âme me guidait infailliblement
Je parlais aux objets nécessairement
Le charme s'éteint un peu
Et je ferme les yeux
Revenez victorieux
Ô mes monstres odieux
Le charme s'éteint un peu
Et je ferme les yeux
Revenez victorieux
Ô mes monstres odieux
The lyrics of Charlotte Gainsbourg's song "Les crocodiles" tell a story of the singer reminiscing about her childhood and the dreams she used to have. In the first verse, she describes herself as a child who had different mannerisms and was perplexed by her recurring dreams of crocodiles. She then goes on to say that her charm has been diminished and that she closes her eyes, hoping her monsters (crocodiles) will return victorious.
As the song progresses, Gainsbourg describes her younger self as being fiercely resolute and guarded, guided by her soul and speaking to objects out of necessity. The chorus repeats the sentiment of the diminishing charm and the hope for the monsters to come back victorious.
The lyrics leave room for interpretation, but one possible meaning could be that Gainsbourg is longing for the sense of adventure and confidence she had as a child. The crocodiles could be a symbol for the challenges she faced in her youth and her desire to overcome them again. The closing phrase, "Ô mes monstres odieux" ("Oh, my odious monsters"), can be seen as a playful nod to the childhood fear of monsters under the bed.
Line by Line Meaning
Tentée d'sonder mes images d'avant
I am tempted to explore my past memories
C'était au temps des crocodiles glissants
It was during the time of slippery crocodiles
J'avais des airs de gosse si différents
I had a childish demeanor that was unique
Perplexe face à ces rêves récurrents
Confused by these recurring dreams
Le charme s'éteint un peu
The charm fades away a little bit
Et je ferme les yeux
And I close my eyes
Revenez victorieux
Come back victorious
Ô mes monstres odieux
Oh my terrible monsters
Pas à moitié j'étais absolument
I was absolutely committed and not halfway
En garde et sans merci résolument
Uncompromisingly on guard and mercilessly resolute
Mon âme me guidait infailliblement
My soul guided me unfailingly
Je parlais aux objets nécessairement
I necessarily talked to objects
Le charme s'éteint un peu
The charm fades away a little bit
Et je ferme les yeux
And I close my eyes
Revenez victorieux
Come back victorious
Ô mes monstres odieux
Oh my terrible monsters
Le charme s'éteint un peu
The charm fades away a little bit
Et je ferme les yeux
And I close my eyes
Revenez victorieux
Come back victorious
Ô mes monstres odieux
Oh my terrible monsters
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Connan Hosford, Sebastian Akchote
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thefly2045
Ho Charlotte,Tu Tiens de qui?
Jane,Ta Maman?
Ou Serge Ton Papa?
Concernant la musique,Serge,Le Padre est juste à côté de nous.Fantastique.
Gros merci à Sebastian qui a su recréer Musicalement l'Univers de Serge...
Grand Merci aussi à toi,Charlotte,Qui a su lui offrir les meilleurs conseils.....
Félicitations à Jane pour avoir réussi à nous proposer au monde entier notre plus belle pépite NATIONALE....
Bravo à Serge.
Bravo Jane.
Félicitations.
Et félicitations Charlotte.
Tu es class.....Hors pairs.....
@1viva
J'adore Charlotte Gainsboug! J'ai toujours aimé ses films et sa musique! ♥ :-)Merci!
@heathergundry7059
Fantastic use of synthesizer
@snapzloiYT
Люблю Вашу музыку! Спасибо!
@cincodemayo8801
Не за что
@jorgequinteros4489
No puedo parar de escuchar el disco Rest !!!! es hermoso, felicitaciones!!!!
@alehergutz
I’ve played this on my show! Great track!
@PetiteLicorne
Show us your show. There's videos ?
@carlarodrigues169
Très bel album...!
@hgob8082
Superbe Charlotte ! J'adore ce son
@endrizo
a little bit of ELO here and there.. loved it