Mostly shunned by television and radio, he has built through word of mouth and frequent touring a considerable following over the years, which allowed him to fill the 17,000-seater Palais Omnisport de Bercy for an anniversary concert in 1998. In recent years he has been increasingly name-dropped as an influence by the latest generation of performers in France, and was the subject of a tribute album of covers in 2002. He has been performing since the late 1960s and releasing records since 1978.
His parents sent him to a catholic boarding school. He spent few years there, where being singled out by his schoolmates started to be interested in great poets (such as Rimbaud) and writers. The catholic education he received will leave its mark on him. He became nonconformist; he wrote blasphemous lyrics, such as "Au nom du Pere, au nom du vice, au nom des rades et des mégots" (In the name of the Father, in the name of vice, in the name of the cafés and the (cigarette) butts), made biblical and latin references in "Femme de Loth" and many others. Musically, H-FT draws mostly from classic rock, with rare nods to the latest musical trends, and generally leaves the arranging to a collaborator. But his songs are most notable for instantly recognisable lyrics, with their trademarks streams of consciousness, surreal and often extreme or dark imagery, often tinged with comedy, cynicism, literary references, neologisms and liberal use of scientific, long or foreign words. The lyrical mayhem sometimes spreads into comically long song titles, such as Enfermé dans les cabinets (avec la fille mineure des 80 chasseurs), or Exercice de simple provocation avec 33 fois le mot « coupable ».
His avowed influences include Léo Ferré, Lou Reed, and many French, Anglo-saxon and German novelists and poets, with a preference for romantic litterature.
Discography
* 1978 - Tout corps vivant branché sur le secteur étant appelé à s'émouvoir
* 1979 - Autorisation de délirer
* 1980 - De l'amour, de l'art ou du cochon
* 1981 - Dernières balises (avant mutation)
* 1982 - Soleil cherche futur
* 1983 - En concert - live (double album)
* 1984 - Alambic/sortie-sud
* 1986 - En concert vol.2 - live
* 1986 - Météo für nada
* 1988 - Eros über alles
* 1988 - 1978-1983 - compilation
* 1988 - Routes 88 - live
* 1989 - 1984-1988 - compilation
* 1990 - Chroniques bluesymentales
* 1993 - Fragments d'hébétude
* 1995 - Paris-Zénith - live (double album)
* 1996 - La tentation du bonheur
* 1998 - Le bonheur de la tentation
* 1998 - 1978-1998 - compilation
* 1999 - En Concert A Bercy - live (double album)
* 2001 - Défloration 13
* 2002 - Au Bataclan - live
* 2005 - Scandale mélancolique
Le chaos de la philosophie
Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Le petit roi du mini-bar
De whisky glacé en whisky glacé
On va finir par attraper l'onglée
On va finir comme des pingouins givrés
Complèt'ment Findus et décérébrés
Le petit roi du mini-bar
Cognac, vodka, whisky Coca
Gin-tonic, tequila, calva
Vichy, Perrier, Vittel, Evian
Peut-être un petit blanc ?
Je suis robot-bar
Le petit roi du mini-bar
De whisky glacé en whisky glacé
On va finir par attraper l'onglée
On va finir en amants déclassés
Sur la liste des coeurs désaffectés
Je suis robot-bar
Le petit roi du mini-bar
The lyrics of "Le chaos de la philosophie" by Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine tell the story of a robot-bar, the self-proclaimed king of the mini-bar, serving drinks to its patrons. The repetitive chorus emphasizes the danger of alcoholism and the potentially destructive path it can lead to. The drinks being served, from whiskey to vodka to gin, demonstrate the high-class nature of the bar and its customers, whilst also showcasing the different preferences of those who frequent the establishment. The lyrics warn of the potential consequences of overindulging in alcohol, likening the patrons to penguins suffering from frostbite, mindlessly and involuntarily abusing themselves.
The verse "On va finir en amants déclassés, Sur la liste des coeurs désaffectés" signifies the abyss where the patrons will end up, stating that their excessive drinking will eventually ruin their relationships and leave them desolate. Thiéfaine uses this song to remind us that the indulgence of temporary pleasures such as alcohol can ultimately lead to a deeper dissatisfaction with oneself and one's relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Je suis robot-bar
I am a robotic bartender
Le petit roi du mini-bar
The little king of the mini-bar
De whisky glacé en whisky glacé
From iced whiskey to iced whiskey
On va finir par attraper l'onglée
We will end up with frozen fingers
On va finir comme des pingouins givrés
We will end up like frozen penguins
Complèt'ment Findus et décérébrés
Completely like frozen meals and brainless
Cognac, vodka, whisky Coca
Cognac, vodka, whiskey Coke
Gin-tonic, tequila, calva
Gin and tonic, tequila, apple brandy
Vichy, Perrier, Vittel, Evian
Vichy, Perrier, Vittel, Evian
Peut-être un petit blanc ?
Maybe a little white wine?
De whisky glacé en whisky glacé
From iced whiskey to iced whiskey
On va finir par attraper l'onglée
We will end up with frozen fingers
On va finir en amants déclassés
We will end up as downgraded lovers
Sur la liste des coeurs désaffectés
On the list of neglected hearts
Je suis robot-bar
I am a robotic bartender
Le petit roi du mini-bar
The little king of the mini-bar
Contributed by Matthew T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.