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.
Moments
Françoise Hardy Lyrics
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moments of redemption, momentary bliss...
and what with so many people
living for the day?
treetops give the answers
swallows show the way
it's so strange
the things we wish for
we couldn't do without...
it's so sad
the things we dreamed of
the things we thought
we couldn't live without...
how could so many memories
comfort you at dawn
bring you back to days of happiness?
and what do we do with moments
once they've been and gone
do they wait in churchyards
til we pass?
it's so strange
the things we wish for
the things we thought
we couldn't do without
it's so sad
the love we dreamed of
the love we thought
we couldn't live without...
In Françoise Hardy's song "Moments," she reflects on the fleeting nature of happiness and the transience of life. She questions the purpose of living for moments of redemption and temporary bliss, given that they can be so short-lived. The imagery of treetops and swallows suggests that nature might hold the key to answering these questions, as if to say that we should look to the natural world for guidance on how to find meaning in life.
Hardy also muses on the power of memories, noting how they can comfort us during difficult times and transport us back to moments of happiness. However, she also wonders what becomes of these moments once they've gone, suggesting that they might simply wait for us in churchyards until we pass.
The song's lyrics suggest a sense of resignation or melancholy, as Hardy notes that the things we once wished for or thought we couldn't live without can ultimately bring us sadness or disappointment. However, there's also a sense of wonder and reverence for the mysterious workings of life and the natural world that permeate the song.
Line by Line Meaning
how could so many people be living just for this?
How can there be so many people who only live for these particular moments in life?
moments of redemption, momentary bliss...
These moments bring temporary relief and happiness
and what with so many people living for the day?
With so many individuals only focusing on the present, what happens to the future?
treetops give the answers swallows show the way
Nature provides guidance and direction
it's so strange the things we wish for the things we thought we couldn't do without...
It's odd how we desire things we previously believed were unnecessary and couldn't manage without
it's so sad the things we dreamed of the things we thought we couldn't live without...
It's heartbreaking to realize that the things we once longed for, we no longer see as essential
how could so many memories comfort you at dawn bring you back to days of happiness?
How can many reminiscences at daybreak provide solace and take you to a time of joy?
and what do we do with moments once they've been and gone do they wait in churchyards til we pass?
What do we do with past moments? Do they stay nearby waiting for us?
it's so strange the things we wish for the things we thought we couldn't do without
It's bizarre how we desire things we previously believed were unnecessary and couldn't manage without.
it's so sad the love we dreamed of the love we thought we couldn't live without...
It's disheartening to realize that the love we once idealized as indispensable is no longer present.
Contributed by Jayden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.