During his… Read Full Bio ↴1) Christophe is a genre defying singer/composer from France.
During his career he has collaborated with diverse artistically celebrated artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Alan Vega, Murcof, Eumir Deodato, Isabelle Adjani, Erik Truffaz and Elisa Point.
His first recording, Reviens Sophie, came out in 1963, but it wasn't until two years later that he found success with the legendary Aline, a song that soon became the definite summer song of 1965, not only in France, but also in much of the rest of Europe.
An album of the same name soon followed, which also contained two other hits, Les marionnettes and Excusez-moi monsieur le professeur.
During the next few years Christophe produced even more classics-to-be, like J'ai entendu la mer and Maman.
Leaving Vogue, his record company, proved to be a cause for major changes in Christophe's style.
He signed to a new company, Motors, and by the same time he'd decided to leave the cleancut image that had made him so popular until then, grew his hair and adopted a "dandy" look which he preserves up to now.
His contribution to the soundtrack to the obscure french film "La route de Salina" in 1970 included one of his most loved songs, "The girl from Salina", which also gave a name to an album which was released in a limited number of territories.
In 1973 he was introduced to Jean-Michel Jarre, who was primarily a lyricist at the time.
Their collaboration yielded two albums, Les paradis perdus in 1973 and Les mots bleus in 1974, both of which were hugely successful in France.
In 1976 the album Samourai was released (where Christophe experimented with strings in a way he had never before);
Christophe made a comeback in 1996 with the adventurous Bevilacqua album.
His latest comeback occurred in 2001 with the release of a new album, called Comm'si la terre penchait, which was a followed by a hugely successful mini-tour and a live album.
2) Christophe is a Bristol based house producer and dj, with releases on Futureboogie and Redux.
Les marionettes
Christophe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Avec de la ficelle et du papier
Elles sont jolies les mignonnettes
Je vais, je vais vous les présenter
L'une d'entre elles est la plus belle
Elle sait bien dire papa maman
Quand à son frère il peut prédire
Moi je construis des marionnettes
Avec de la ficelle et du papier
Elles sont jolies les mignonnettes
Je vais, je vais vous les présenter
Chez nous à chaque instant c'est jour de fête
Grâce au petit clown qui nous fait rire
Même Alexa cette pauvrette
Oublie, oublie, qu'elle a toujours pleuré
Moi je construis des marionnettes
Avec de la ficelle et du papier
Elles sont jolies les mignonnettes
Elles vous diront, elles vous diront
Que je suis leur ami, que je suis leur ami
Que je suis leur ami, leur ami
The lyrics to Christophe's song "Les marionettes" speak of the singer's passion for building and presenting marionettes. He describes how he constructs them with string and paper, and how beautiful they are. He speaks of one particular marionette, which he believes to be the most beautiful of them all. This marionette is capable of saying "papa maman" and predicting the weather, impressing both the singer and his audience.
The singer then goes on to explain how the marionettes bring joy into their lives. He says that in their home, every moment is a celebration, thanks to the little clown who makes them all laugh. Even the saddest person amongst them, Alexa, forgets her sorrows and joins in on the happiness. The song concludes with the singer saying that the marionettes will all testify to the fact that he is their friend.
This song is an allegory for the way we construct our own realities with the things we have at our disposal. Just as the singer uses string and paper to create something beautiful, we too can use our own resources to create joy and happiness in our lives. The marionettes also represent the idea that life is a performance, and we are all mere actors playing our parts.
Line by Line Meaning
Moi je construis des marionnettes
I, Christophe, create marionettes using basic materials like string and paper.
Avec de la ficelle et du papier
My marionettes are constructed with string and paper.
Elles sont jolies les mignonnettes
These puppets are beautiful and endearing.
Je vais, je vais vous les présenter
I will now present them to you all.
L'une d'entre elles est la plus belle
One of these puppets is the best-looking.
Elle sait bien dire papa maman
This puppet can expertly say 'mama' and 'papa'.
Quand à son frère il peut prédire
As for her brother, it can predict the weather.
Pour demain la pluie ou bien le beau temps
It can forecast whether tomorrow will be rainy or sunny.
Chez nous à chaque instant c'est jour de fête
In our household, every moment is a joyous occasion.
Grâce au petit clown qui nous fait rire
All thanks to a small clown who brings us laughter.
Même Alexa cette pauvrette
Even Alexa, who is usually sad, forgets her troubles in this happy environment.
Oublie, oublie, qu'elle a toujours pleuré
She forgets her past of constant tears.
Elles vous diront, elles vous diront
These puppets will tell you, will tell you..
Que je suis leur ami, que je suis leur ami
That I am their friend, I am their friend.
Que je suis leur ami, leur ami
That I am their friend, their friend.
Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
americaman76
Christophe artiste intemporel qui a traversé par sa voix toutes les frontières. Même au Vietnam dans les années 1960 il était connu. Je fredonnais souvent cette chanson.
DgO Brazil
Quando eu era criança meu pai escutava muito esse disco umas três vezes todos os finais de semana...Hj sou adulto e vez em quando as músicas desse disco tocam em minha memória.
Bons tempos aqueles em Recife
Mickaël Hervé
Il ne criera plus "Aline", il ne lui dira plus "Les mots bleus", il ne verra plus sa "Petite fille du soleil", il ne construira plus "Les marionnettes", avec "Ses succès fous", le chanteur de "Ne raccroche pas" s'en est allé... Bon voyage dans "Les paradis perdus". Merci Christophe pour toutes ses belles mélodies.
charles Tordjman
merveilleux artiste compositeur et musicien! merci christophe souvenir ému ;
Michel Rivoire
Bon voyage
Ginette
Triste mais je ne peux l'oublier il a été ma jeunesse
Christiane Bonnaves
Mickaël Hervé mais si au paradis
Laurent Trouvé
Christophe est mort et Jean-Marie Le Pen est toujours vivant. Fait chier!
marie-rose Morille
C'est la première chanson qui a retenu mon attention. C'était si surprenant cette voix si douce et ce style de chanter. Bonne interprétation.
Pedro Alex
Grande cantor! O Brasil ama Christopher. Descanse em paz! Nossas condolências à família e ao povo francês.