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.
Regarde-Toi
Françoise Hardy Lyrics
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Les hommes ont tort d'accuser Dieu
Ce dieu du fond des âges
Qu'ils créent à leur image
Aveugle et sourd, si orgueilleux...
Regarde-toi au fond du coeur
Écoute un peu battre ses peurs
Sous des couleurs diverses
Tu t'es laissé prendre à ton jeu...
Regarde-toi au fond de l'âme
Ni tous mes bleus ni tous tes blâmes
Ni ton indifférence
N'en altèrent l'innocence
Je t'aimerai toujours pour deux...
The lyrics of Françoise Hardy's song Regarde-Toi touches on the themes of self-reflection, self-accountability, and the nature of a higher power or deity. The first verse encourages the listener to look into their own eyes and recognize that blaming God for their shortcomings is a mistake. The song suggests that humans have created a God in their own image, one that is blinded by their own pride and deaf to their struggles. Therefore, the problems they face are not due to a neglectful God, but rather the result of their own actions and choices.
The second verse encourages the listener to look within their own heart and acknowledge their fears. The use of the idea of "maquillant ta faiblesse sous des couleurs diverses" in the song suggests that the listener has put up a facade to hide their weaknesses. By acknowledging and facing their fears, they can become more authentic and honest with themselves.
The final verse speaks to the idea of innocence within the soul. Despite past mistakes or criticisms from others, the innocence of the soul remains unaltered. The phrase "je t'aimerai toujours pour deux" suggests that the innocence of the soul is something that can be loved by both the singer and the listener.
Overall, the song is a poetic reminder to take accountability for one's own actions and to embrace the vulnerability that comes with self-reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Regarde-toi au fond des yeux
Look deep into your eyes
Les hommes ont tort d'accuser Dieu
Men are wrong to accuse God
Ce dieu du fond des âges
That God from the depths of time
Qu'ils créent à leur image
That they create in their image
Aveugle et sourd, si orgueilleux...
Blind and deaf, so proud...
Regarde-toi au fond du coeur
Look deep into your heart
Écoute un peu battre ses peurs
Listen to its fears beating
Maquillant ta faiblesse
Masking your weakness
Sous des couleurs diverses
Under various colors
Tu t'es laissé prendre à ton jeu...
You got caught up in your own game...
Regarde-toi au fond de l'âme
Look deep into your soul
Ni tous mes bleus ni tous tes blâmes
Neither all my blues nor all your blames
Ni ton indifférence
Nor your indifference
N'en altèrent l'innocence
Can alter its innocence
Je t'aimerai toujours pour deux...
I will always love you for two...
Contributed by Parker P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.