Letissier has used numerous personal and stage names, and remarked that he "just ha many names for all the layers". He began his career as Christine and the Queens. For his second studio album, he shortened it to Chris, which was accompanied by a shift to a persona described as "a woman playing with masculine tropes". In October 2021, he was using the name Rahim. This sparked a debate around cultural appropriation due to the name's Arabic origin. He eventually began using a succession of different names such as Sam le pompier (the French title of Fireman Sam) and a full stop before settling on Redcar, sometimes shortened as Red. In August 2022, he updated his pronouns to he/him across social media platforms. In 2023, with the release of fourth album Paranoïa, Angels, True Love, he seemed to have reverted to simply Chris. However, he still occasionally uses his birth name, about which he said: "Héloïse Letissier is my parents' provenance and I love my parents. I sometimes use Héloïse to reconnect me to my childhood, but my inner child name is Manamané."
Jonathan
Christine and the Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't be angry Jonathan
Can you lay your hand on my forehead?
Through darkest nights
Can you handle the darkest nights?
At the crack of dawn I am ashamed
Oh sister, oh
Can you forgive me?
Can you lay your hand on my forehead?
Oooh oh
Oooh oh oh oh
Can you give it, give it, give it, give it, give it?
Oooh oh
Oooh oh oh oh
Can you give it, give it, give it, give it, give it?
Seulement la nuit
Et pourquoi seulement la nuit?
Je sais que tu ne répondras pas
Seulement ici
Et pourquoi seulement ici?
Est-ce qu'ailleurs je ne t'appartiens pas?
C'est interdit
Et pourquoi est-ce interdit?
Je te croyais au-dessus des lois
Ah ha ah ha ah ha ha
Ah ah ah ha ah ha
Can you give it, give it, give it, give it, give it?
Can you give it, give it, give it, give it, give it?
Oooh oh oh oh
Oooh oh
Can you walk with me in the daylight?
Can you walk with me in the daylight?
Can you walk with me in the daylight?
Je sais que tu ne répondras pas
Daylight
Oooh oh oooh
Est-ce qu'ailleurs je ne t'appartiens pas?
Oooh oh oooh oh
Je te croyais au-dessus des lois
The song "Jonathan" by Christine and the Queens is a melancholic and reflective piece addressed to a close friend, Jonathan. The opening lines set the tone for the song as Christine pleads with Jonathan not to be angry and instead lay a soothing hand on her forehead. The lyrics then go on to explore themes of shame, forgiveness, and the darkness of the night. Christine asks if Jonathan can handle the darkest nights and forgive her for her mistakes, all while hoping that he can lay his hand on her forehead.
The second verse is in French, and it adds a layer of complexity to the song. Christine questions why their relationship can only exist during the night and in this particular location, breaking norms that make their connection "forbidden." The chorus repeats the line "Can you give it?" several times, inviting Jonathan to offer whatever he can in the face of these challenges.
The song's emotional depth showcases Christine's ability to convey vulnerability and introspection through her music. The lyrics present a very personal and private conversation between two individuals, highlighting the universal need for connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Jonathan
Christine is addressing someone named Jonathan.
Don't be angry Jonathan
Christine is asking Jonathan not to be angry with her.
Can you lay your hand on my forehead?
Christine is asking Jonathan to provide comfort and support for her.
Through darkest nights
Christine is referring to difficult times in her life.
Can you handle the darkest nights?
Christine is asking Jonathan if he can support her through her most difficult times.
At the crack of dawn I am ashamed
Christine feels ashamed at daybreak.
Oh sister, oh
Christine is addressing someone as her sister.
Can you forgive me?
Christine is asking for forgiveness from her sister.
Sister old
Christine is referring to her sister as someone she has known for a long time.
Can you lay your hand on my forehead?
Christine is asking for comfort and support from her sister.
Oooh oh
A vocalization with no specific meaning.
Oooh oh oh oh
A vocalization with no specific meaning.
Can you give it, give it, give it, give it, give it?
Christine is asking for something, but it is unclear what she is referring to specifically.
Seulement la nuit
Christine is referring to something that only happens at night.
Et pourquoi seulement la nuit?
Christine is questioning why this thing only occurs at night.
Je sais que tu ne répondras pas
Christine believes that Jonathan will not answer her question.
Seulement ici
Christine is referring to something that only happens in this place.
Et pourquoi seulement ici?
Christine is questioning why this thing only occurs in this specific location.
Est-ce qu'ailleurs je ne t'appartiens pas?
Christine is asking Jonathan if she belongs to him in other locations.
C'est interdit
Christine is calling attention to something that is forbidden.
Et pourquoi est-ce interdit?
Christine is questioning why this thing is forbidden.
Je te croyais au-dessus des lois
Christine thought that Jonathan was above the law.
Ah ha ah ha ah ha ha
A vocalization with no specific meaning.
Ah ah ah ha ah ha
A vocalization with no specific meaning.
Can you walk with me in the daylight?
Christine is asking Jonathan to be with her during the day.
Je sais que tu ne répondras pas
Christine believes that Jonathan will not answer her question.
Daylight
Christine is referring to the daytime.
Oooh oh oooh
A vocalization with no specific meaning.
Est-ce qu'ailleurs je ne t'appartiens pas?
Christine is asking Jonathan if she belongs to him in other locations.
Oooh oh oooh oh
A vocalization with no specific meaning.
Je te croyais au-dessus des lois
Christine thought that Jonathan was above the law.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Heloise Letissier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cmoussaoui
Ce petit bout de femme est un condensé du moment. L impression qu elle porte en elle un instantané de cette époque, a la fois triste et anxiogène mais tellement visionnaire et réaliste sur ce qui est beau mais aussi tellement laid. C est une belle chanson.
@melp.6562
Le soir, ma fille et moi écoutons cette merveilleuse chanteuse. Sa voix calme et harmonieuse nous repose, après une journée épuisante. Ses vidéos sont toujours simples, et si par hasard ma fille regarde le vidéo, je n’ai pas peur qu’elle voit des choses qui ne sont pas de son âge. J’aime beaucoup de qu’elle fait et ce depuis que j’ai écoute la chanson st-claude. J’espère qu’elle chantera encore très longtemps.
@SardonicALLY
Truly the most innovative artist that has emerged for many many years. I love her whole album Chaleur Humaine.
@lightasmr6623
Check out Kate Bush she's incredibly innovative ! Christine was inspired by her
@desertmonki1913
I love this woman. she is so authentic. In a world where there are so many drones she is doing her own thing...and doing it beautifully....with soul. May you be blessed and fly xxx
@ninicoco1459
2022. J'adore cette chanson depuis 7 ans. La fabuleuse voix de Perfume Génius se rajoute au talent de Christine and the Queens .
@mxxchii
Why is she so underrated she’s a living QUEEN 👑 ❤️
@jonathanflynnkelleher1771
My name is Jonathan. Misunderstood. Too nice. Others like me for the same reasons that others don't. Love this song so much. This band. J'amour Christine and The Queens💖💖💖
@witherton8340
I didn't know this iconic collab happened
@jeremypaillat5526
Ce morceau est tout simplement transcendant ! A la fois lunéaire et solaire, il est juste magnifique !!