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."
What's-her-face
Christine and the Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For each team has its captain
Sun straight down as the game is done
Proudly tired, out of breath for some
It's been years since that playground
It's been years since that playground
My bubblin' face, tangled hair
Recreation looks easy for some
Nosebleeds dismissed with a cruel hum
It's been years since that playground
It's been years since that playground
I'm forever what's-her-face (Ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
Eyes closed and fast pace (Ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
It was hard to remember
So my name became a slur
A-more-or-less giving a faint strum
Singing for sure, singing for none
And that is why tonight I won't come
And that is why tonight I won't come
Their beads had ringing appeal
If I'm not sick, that's how I feel
See the dreamer, she's out to be found
Seek the dreamer, she's out to be found
It's been years since that playground
It's been years since that playground
I'm forever what's-her-face (Ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
Eyes closed and fast pace (Ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
(Ever ever, ever ever)
(Ever-ever-ever)
(Ever-ever, ever-ever)
(Ever-ever, ever-ever)
The lyrics of Christine and the Queens's song, What's-her-face, explore the feeling of alienation and marginalization one experiences when they don't fit in the societal norm. The opening line, "How their soft skin brings me pain," is a reference to how the smooth skin of the popular crowd creates a contrast to the singer's own rough, unkempt appearance. The next line, "For each team has its captain," indicates how the popular kids have their designated leaders, who define what's cool and who's not. The pride and fatigue described in "Sun straight down as the game is done, proudly tired, out of breath for some" stands as a symbol of the validation that the popular kids receive through sports and their social status.
The line "It was hard to remember, so my name became a slur" indicates that the singer's identity has been erased. She is known not by her name, but by a term that is meant to identify her as an outsider. The next few lines, "A-more-or-less giving a faint strum, singing for sure, singing for none," show that the singer has found solace in her music. However, the final line, "And that is why tonight I won't come," suggests that she won't be attending the gathering with the popular kids. The song ends with an exhortation to the listener to "Seek the dreamer."
Line by Line Meaning
How their soft skin brings me pain
The sight of their soft skin physically hurts me
For each team has its captain
Every group has a leader
Sun straight down as the game is done
The sun sets when the game is over
Proudly tired, out of breath for some
Some people are exhausted but proud of themselves
It's been years since that playground
I haven't been to that playground in a long time
My bubblin' face, tangled hair
My face is full of expressions and my hair is messy
Like gloomy thoughts to separate
My appearance often leads to isolation
Recreation looks easy for some
Some people find it easy to have fun
Nosebleeds dismissed with a cruel hum
When I had a nosebleed, people laughed and ignored my pain
I'm forever what's-her-face (Ever ever)
People always forget my name and I remain nameless (repeated)
Eyes closed and fast pace (Ever ever)
I close my eyes and move quickly to escape reality (repeated)
It was hard to remember
It was difficult for others to remember my name
So my name became a slur
People started using my name as an insult
A-more-or-less giving a faint strum
I played my instrument quietly and hesitantly
Singing for sure, singing for none
I sing confidently even though no one is listening
And that is why tonight I won't come
I won't join tonight's event because of my past experiences
Their beads had ringing appeal
Their jewelry caught my attention
If I'm not sick, that's how I feel
I feel sick even when physically healthy
See the dreamer, she's out to be found
There is a woman who is searching for something abstract
Seek the dreamer, she's out to be found
People should look for and support the woman who is chasing her dreams
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Heloise Letissier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind