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.
Jeanne
Françoise Hardy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Au succès Jeanne n'est pas à cours de ressources pour séduire qui lui plaît
Jeanne connaît bien l'art des retouches et l'envers do décor
Elle corrige la forme de sa bouche, les lignes de son corps
Petite Jeanne deviendra grande quand ses rêves auront changé
Petite Jeanne deviendra forte quand ses jouets préfabriqués s‘ront usés
Jeanne aim‘rait dîner au champagne tous les soirs de l‘année
Jeanne voudrait avoir à ses pieds des amants riches et beaux
Au bras de qui elle sourirait à la une des journaux
Petite Jeanne deviendra grande quand ses rêves auront changé
Petite Jeanne deviendra forte quand ses jouets préfabriqués seront cassés
Jeanne voudrait dormir dans la soie, le velours, le satin
Jeanne en veut, fait tout, croisent les doigts pour aider le destin
Non, Jeanne n'a pas besoin qu'on lui fasse un dessin.
The lyrics of "Jeanne" by Françoise Hardy seem to describe a young woman named Jeanne who is ambitious, resourceful, and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve success, even if it means changing her appearance and seducing those she desires. She is depicted as someone who knows how to manipulate her surroundings to her advantage, using her knowledge of retouching and the tricks of the trade to create the perfect image. The song portrays Jeanne as someone who dreams of living a lavish lifestyle, dining on champagne every night, and having rich and handsome lovers at her feet. However, despite her thirst for power and success, there is an underlying sense of vulnerability and naivety to her character, as suggested through the repeated refrain of "Petite Jeanne deviendra grande" ("Little Jeanne will become big").
One could interpret this song as a commentary on the pursuit of fame and fortune, and the lengths some people will go to in order to obtain it. The lyrics suggest that Jeanne is much more concerned with appearances and material possessions than with any kind of genuine human connection or emotional fulfillment, as she is only interested in the attention and admiration that comes with success. Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that while Jeanne may achieve her dreams, her obsession with power and superficiality may leave her feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from the world around her.
Line by Line Meaning
Jeanne met toutes ses billes dans la course au pouvoir,
Jeanne is ambitious and determined to succeed in her pursuit of power and success.
Au succès Jeanne n'est pas à cours de ressources pour séduire qui lui plaît
Jeanne is resourceful in her efforts to seduce whoever she desires in order to achieve success.
Jeanne connaît bien l'art des retouches et l'envers du décor
Jeanne is familiar with the art of making adjustments and is aware of the hidden aspects of the entertainment world.
Elle corrige la forme de sa bouche, les lignes de son corps
Jeanne modifies her physical appearance to enhance her facial features and to make her body look more attractive.
Petite Jeanne deviendra grande quand ses rêves auront changé
Jeanne believes that she will become a success when she changes her goals and dreams.
Petite Jeanne deviendra forte quand ses jouets préfabriqués s‘ront usés
Jeanne will become strong when her prefabricated toys are no longer of any use to her.
Jeanne aim‘rait dîner au champagne tous les soirs de l‘année
Jeanne desires to have luxurious meals with champagne every night of the year.
Eclipser les autres par son charme, son talent, ses idées
Jeanne wants to overshadow others with her charm, talent, and ideas.
Jeanne voudrait avoir à ses pieds des amants riches et beaux
Jeanne wants to have wealthy and attractive lovers at her feet.
Au bras de qui elle sourirait à la une des journaux
She wants to be seen in the company of her attractive lovers in the headlines of the newspapers and magazines.
Jeanne voudrait dormir dans la soie, le velours, le satin
She wishes to sleep on luxurious materials such as silk, velvet, and satin.
Jeanne en veut, fait tout, croisent les doigts pour aider le destin
Jeanne is determined to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals and is hoping that fate will be on her side.
Non, Jeanne n'a pas besoin qu'on lui fasse un dessin.
Jeanne does not require any explanation, as she is fully aware of what she wants and how to get it.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: JEAN BENOIT DUNCKEL, NICOLAS GODIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind