She had one big hit in the 1980s with "Pull marine", written especially for her by Serge Gainsbourg, the legendary French singer songwriter, who'd made a habit of writing songs for beautiful actresses (Brigitte Bardot or his partner Jane Birkin). Adjani's singing voice, though extremely thin, is very expressive, her acting prowess clearly helping a great deal.
Ohio
Isabelle Adjani Lyrics
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J'ai le moral à zéro
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
J'approche peu à peu du Nevada
J'ai envie de m'évader
D'passer les frontières et de m'extrader
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
Je me suis perdue dans le Colorado
On m'a laissée en radeau
J'imaginais trouver l'Eldorado
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
J'ai le moral à zéro
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
Je marche forcée dans le Massachusetts
A côté de mes chaussettes
J'ai un p'tit scarabée d'or dans la tête
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
J'ai le moral à zéro
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
Et dans quel état serai-je en Utah
Je n'en ferai pas état
Etat second j'suis dans tous mes états
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
J'ai le moral à zéro
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
The lyrics of "Ohio" by Isabelle Adjani talk about feeling lost and not knowing where to go next. The singer in the song is in a state of mind similar to being in Ohio, which represents a state of emptiness and despair. She wants to escape from her current situation and cross borders to find a better life.
The lyrics use different states in America as a metaphor for the singer's state of mind. She mentions Colorado, Massachusetts, and Utah, implying that she has traveled far and wide, but still hasn't found what she's looking for. The line "Je marche forcée dans le Massachusetts, à côté de mes chaussettes" (I walk forcedly in Massachusetts, next to my socks) suggests that she's tired and feels isolated, which could contribute to her low morale. However, she keeps moving forward and doesn't reveal how she'll feel when she finally reaches Utah.
Overall, the song is an ode to the feeling of being lost and searching for meaning in life. It's a relatable feeling, which is why the song has resonated with many listeners over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
J'suis dans un état proche de l'Ohio
I am in a state close to Ohio, feeling lost and confused.
J'ai le moral à zéro
My spirits are at an all-time low.
J'approche peu à peu du Nevada
I am slowly approaching Nevada, hoping to escape.
J'ai envie de m'évader
I have a burning desire to break free and run away.
D'passer les frontières et de m'extrader
I want to cross borders and escape my troubles.
Je me suis perdue dans le Colorado
I am lost in Colorado, feeling abandoned.
On m'a laissée en radeau
Everyone has deserted me, leaving me to fend for myself.
J'imaginais trouver l'Eldorado
I had hoped to find a better life, but it seems that dream has been shattered.
Je marche forcée dans le Massachusetts
I am forced to walk through Massachusetts, unable to stop or turn back.
A côté de mes chaussettes
I am so lost that I have even lost track of my own belongings.
J'ai un p'tit scarabée d'or dans la tête
I have a glimmer of hope left, like a small gold beetle buzzing in my mind.
Et dans quel état serai-je en Utah
I wonder what state I will be in when I reach Utah, if I ever make it there.
Je n'en ferai pas état
I won't make a big deal out of it or complain about my situation.
Etat second j'suis dans tous mes états
I am in a daze, overwhelmed and confused by everything happening around me.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.