Le Fou de la reine
Françoise Hardy [feat. Henri Salvador] Lyrics

The lyrics of "Le Fou de la reine" by Françoise Hardy and Henri Salvador depict a one-sided love affair, where the singer is deeply infatuated with someone who doesn't reciprocate their feelings. The song is a conversation between the singer and the object of their affection, expressing their emotional turmoil and admitting their foolishness for being so enamored.

The first verse conveys the singer's realization that there is a significant distance between them and the person they love. There have been too many missed opportunities, and now it feels like nightfall is approaching, symbolizing the end of their chances. Despite the laughter and tears they've shared, the singer feels like they have lost their soul in this game of love, which revolves around power dynamics, represented by "jeux de dames et de rois" (games of queens and kings).

In the second verse, the singer admits that they were nothing more than a clown, an idiot, and a fool in the eyes of the person they love. Their love for this person was so intense that it consumed them completely. However, now they apologize for leaving the game, surrendering and saying goodbye.

The chorus reiterates that there won't be much left between them, as the person they love is already distant. The singer mentions their laughter and their tears, and how they are left with bruises on their soul, portraying the emotional pain inflicted by this unrequited love. They acknowledge that they will never be more than a clown, an idiot, and a fool in the eyes of the person they love.

In the closing lines, the singer bids farewell, calling the person they love a beautiful queen and urging them to make their prince happy. This final plea to take care of the person who loves them embodies the selfless nature of their affection, despite knowing that they will never be reciprocated.

Overall, "Le Fou de la reine" conveys the vulnerable and heartbreaking experience of being deeply in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way. It explores themes of unrequited love, self-sacrifice, and the internal struggle between holding onto affection and accepting reality.