Hallucinogène
Francoise Hardy Lyrics

The lyrics of Françoise Hardy's "Hallucinogène" are a contemplation of the singer's fragmented identity and her struggle to reconcile her dual nature. The lyrics open with the mention of eyeliner being used to cover the dark circles under her eyes, suggesting that she has been crying. She acknowledges that if she does cry, it will be hidden from others. She describes herself as being "half woman, cut in two", which could imply that she feels torn between two roles or identities. She then compares herself to a mermaid, implying the duality of nature. She mentions Invalides and Varennes, two places located in Paris, which suggests that she is on the Parisian Metro, possibly traveling between the two places, and comments that any travelers on the Metro will only have a hallucinatory version of her.

In the chorus, the singer addresses someone named Lucie, telling them to leave because they are getting in the way of her thoughts. She then describes how she walks with her old familiar nanny, who nursed her as a baby, and who loves her. The final lines of the chorus suggest that her thoughts are still a hallucination.

The second verse mentions the singer's heart, admitting that it may break, and suggesting that the singer is experiencing emotional turmoil. She then repeats the sentiment of being "half dead, half alive, half mermaid". She again mentions Invalides and Varennes, suggesting that she is still on the Metro. The singer then repeats the lines from the chorus, indicating that her thoughts are still in a dreamlike state.

Overall, the song explores themes of fragmented identity, duality, and inner turmoil. The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to reconcile her internal struggles with the outside world, and that she is using the image of the mermaid, an age-old symbol of feminine duality, to express the complexity of her situation.