Hardy signed her first contract with the record label Vogue in November 1961. In April 1962, shortly after finishing school, her first album, "Oh oh Chéri", appeared, with the title song written by Johnny Hallyday's writing duo. The flip side of the record, "Tous les garçons et les filles" became a huge success, which sold 2 million copies. She had long hair and usually wore jeans with a leather jacket, while accompanying her songs on the guitar.
She sang in English, Spanish, and German occasionally. In 1963, she represented Monaco in the Grand Prix d'Eurovision de la Chanson with "L'amour s'en va" and emerged in fifth place. In 1968, she received the Grand Prix du Disque Académie Charles Cros.
In 1981, she married her long-time companion Jacques Dutronc, with whom she had already had a son (Thomas Dutronc) in 1973. In May 2000, she had a comeback with the album "Clair Obscur". Her son played the guitar, and her husband sang the duet "Puisque vous partez en voyage". Iggy Pop and Etienne Daho participated, as well. She currently lives near Paris.
In 2006 she released a new duets album entitled "Parenthèses" which included a song with her son Thomas.
In 2021, Hardy announced that her health had worsened and that she would not be able to sing again owing to the effects of cancer therapy.
Côté Jardin Côté Cour
Françoise Hardy Lyrics
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Colmaté quelques brèches, forcé des portes sans issue
Dites-moi où le bât blesse, si vous l'avez jamais su
Même si quelque chose est mort, je ne m'avoue pas vaincue
J'espère marquer encore quelques buts
Côté jardin, côté cour, c'est toujours le temps qui court
Et moi qui cours après vous
Je me sens mal tout à coup
Des bunkers-forteresses se dressent à perte de vue
Mes signaux de détresse n'ont pas été entendus
Même s'il fait mauvais dehors, même si la cause est perdue
J'aurais une fois encore survécu
Côté jardin, côté cour, pourrait-on faire demi-tour ?
Tout revoir de bout en bout ?
Côté jardin, côté cour, m'avez-vous percée à jour ?
Je ne tiens plus bien debout
Faut-il défier le sort et recharger les accus
Faire semblant d'être fort ? Je ne sais plus...
Côté jardin, côté cour, seriez-vous aveugle et sourd ?
L'air du soir devient plus doux
Côté jardin, côté cour, c'est toujours le temps qui court
Et moi qui cours après vous.
The lyrics of Françoise Hardy's song "Côté Jardin Côté Cour" speak to themes of perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of love. The singer reflects on her journey, expressing a sense of having let go of burdens and faced countless rejections. She has patched up some gaps and pushed through doors that seemed impossible to open. She questions where the real issue lies, wondering if others have ever truly understood. Despite something being lost, she refuses to admit defeat and hopes to score a few more goals in life.
The setting of the song becomes significant as she refers to "Côté jardin, côté cour," which translates to "Garden side, courtyard side." This can be interpreted in a literal sense, suggesting two different sides of a house or a relationship. Metaphorically, it can represent the different aspects of her life or the conflicting emotions she experiences. Time is always running, and she finds herself running after someone she desires. The distance between them catches her off guard and makes her feel unwell suddenly.
The lyrics continue with the image of bunkers and fortresses stretching endlessly, representing the obstacles and challenges she has faced. Her distress signals have gone unheard, but even in the face of unfavorable circumstances, even if the cause seems lost, she has survived once again. The repetition of the refrain emphasizes her longing to turn back, to reconsider everything from the beginning. She questions if others have truly understood her, feeling unsteady on her feet.
The final verses contemplate whether she should defy fate and reload the accusations. She wonders if pretending to be strong is the right approach but admits to being unsure. The question asked if the other person is blind and deaf can be seen as a plea for understanding and validation. The evening air becomes sweeter, suggesting a potential change in the atmosphere, yet she continues to pursue the object of her affection.
Through "Côté Jardin Côté Cour," Françoise Hardy showcases her poetic ability to express vulnerability, resilience, and the complexities of human emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
J'ai lâché tant de lest, essuyé tant de refus
I have let go so much weight, faced so many refusals
Colmaté quelques brèches, forcé des portes sans issue
I have patched up some breaches, forced doors with no way out
Dites-moi où le bât blesse, si vous l'avez jamais su
Tell me where the problem lies if you have never known
Même si quelque chose est mort, je ne m'avoue pas vaincue
Even if something is dead, I do not admit defeat
J'espère marquer encore quelques buts
I hope to score a few more goals
Côté jardin, côté cour, c'est toujours le temps qui court
On the garden side, on the courtyard side, time always runs
Et moi qui cours après vous
And I who run after you
Côté jardin, côté cour, la distance me prend de court
On the garden side, on the courtyard side, the distance takes me by surprise
Je me sens mal tout à coup
I suddenly feel unwell
Des bunkers-forteresses se dressent à perte de vue
Bunker-fortresses arise as far as the eye can see
Mes signaux de détresse n'ont pas été entendus
My distress signals have not been heard
Même s'il fait mauvais dehors, même si la cause est perdue
Even if the weather is bad outside, even if the cause is lost
J'aurais une fois encore survécu
I would have survived once again
Côté jardin, côté cour, pourrait-on faire demi-tour
On the garden side, on the courtyard side, could we turn back
Tout revoir de bout en bout
Review everything from start to finish
Côté jardin, côté cour, m'avez-vous percée à jour
On the garden side, on the courtyard side, have you seen through me
Je ne tiens plus bien debout
I no longer stand firm
Faut-il défier le sort et recharger les accus
Should I defy fate and recharge the batteries
Faire semblant d'être fort ? Je ne sais plus...
Pretend to be strong? I no longer know...
Côté jardin, côté cour, seriez-vous aveugle et sourd
On the garden side, on the courtyard side, would you be blind and deaf
L'air du soir devient plus doux
The evening air becomes sweeter
Côté jardin, côté cour, c'est toujours le temps qui court
On the garden side, on the courtyard side, time always runs
Et moi qui cours après vous
And I who run after you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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