Their cover of Claude François' Alexandrie Alexandra gets a little success, a success too predictable to the band taste that chooses to focus on their own (funny) songs and release a first album in 1989. Their lyrics reflect their state of mind, rather crazy. No political content, Les VRP are not serious (except maybe about French language with which they love to play with).
Les VRP are then absorbed in the rising French alternative rock scene (Mano Negra, Wampas, Satellites, etc…) and end up working with other bands from this scene on some of their songs (Stellamentable with the belgian duet Sttellla, La misère des voix vulgaires with Gina et les Pires, Sidney with the Babylon Fighters). the year 1990 sees the release of their 2nd album. Les VRP play in the famous concert hall L'Olympia and then go traveling with their one of a kind show in Europe, Japan, Canada or Senegal. Their success is growqing fast, most of their concerts are sold out and they play in many festival sharing the bill with more serious but equally successfull acts such as Mano Negra or Noir Désir.
Their third and final album is Vacances Prolongées (Prolounged Holidays released in 1992) and tells what the band has decided to do : split up at the peak of their fame! They decide to do so by fear of becoming another gimmick band and not having fun doing so. In 1993, playing at the Zenith in Montpellier, they say their farewell in a concert at the end of which their throw their instruments into the audience. They never came back since.
MUSIC
Two acoustic guitars are the only classical instruments Les VRP used. The other are all made up of various objects : contre-bassine for Stéphane (broom stick, rope and a plastic bucket make a sort of double bass), a brush to wash dishes, a suitcase, some spoons for the percussionist Marc, a toy piano for Gilbert and a little more whenever needed (cans, etc...).
Their music is quite hard to define, it mixes classic French chanson with humour both on musical an lyrical sides of it.
Above all, Les VRP were a live band though they often said being even more at ease in small bars or even on the street. They loved to improvise, play with the audience, etc... Each concert was a new experience for the band and those watching it. Nevertheless each of their three albums remain a quite enjoyable experience (even more if you understand French).
Line-up:
Stéphane (dit « Néry ») : chant, contrebassine, instruments divers...
Gilbert : chant, ukulélé, xylophone, instruments divers...
Gilberd : chant, piano d'enfant (« Michelsonne »), accordéon, instruments divers...
Marc : chant, harmonica, percussions, instruments divers...
Fabrice : chant, guitare, banjo, instruments divers...
Mémère
Les VRP Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Il y a un an, le 12 octobre, tu nous quittais... Mémère
Ton souvenir reste à jamais gravé dans nos coeurs
Nous garderons le goût sucré de tes bons sablés au beurre
Si tu n'avais plus ta tête, ça n'était pas important
Quand tu rangeais tes lunettes dans le frigo, c'était marrant
Il y a un an, le 12 octobre, tu nous quittais... Mémère
Pas besoin de champignons pour avoir les yeux éclatés
Tes bruitages insoutenables étaient toujours bienvenus
Quand tu te levais de table, c'était souvent sans retenue
Nos petites farces amicales
(Oh, amicales)
Etaient parfois un peu dures
(Oui un peu dures)
La dernière te fut fatale
Nous le regretterons, ça c'est sûr!!!
Nous garderons en mémoire ce dentier qui fut le tien
Il donnait à tes histoires un p'tit air américain
Et nous ajouterons en prime ton fabuleux Sonotone
Lui qui nous apprît le mime méritait qu'on le mentionne
Nous sommes tous au désespoir
(Au désespoir)
Et nous ne saurons jamais
(Jamais!)
Ce que faisait ce savon noir
Tout en haut de l'escalier!!!
Il y a un an, le 12 octobre, tu nous quittais... Mémère
The lyrics of Les VRP's song "Mémère" serve as a tribute to a beloved grandmother who passed away on October 12th, leaving a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of her family. Despite her forgetfulness and occasional antics, the singer fondly remembers her in a lighthearted and humorous way. The memories of her buttery cookies, her tendency to misplace her glasses in the refrigerator, and her insufferable sound effects are all testament to her unique personality and the special place she held in her loved ones' lives. The song remembers her quirks and foibles and celebrates them as part of her endearing charm. Although the family sometimes played practical jokes on her that were perhaps a bit cruel, they ultimately loved and cherished her and will miss her dearly.
The song "Mémère" is a testament to the enduring power of memory and the importance of cherishing those we love, even after they pass away. It captures the way that the small, everyday things that our loved ones do become so significant and meaningful to us in hindsight, and how they often take on a life of their own in our memories. It is a touching ode to a grandmother who, despite her flaws and imperfections, brought light and joy to the lives of those around her.
Line by Line Meaning
Il y a un an, le 12 octobre, tu nous quittais... Mémère
It was a year ago, on October 12th, that you passed away... Granny
Ton souvenir reste à jamais gravé dans nos coeurs
Your memory is forever engraved in our hearts
Nous garderons le goût sucré de tes bons sablés au beurre
We will forever cherish the sweet taste of your delicious butter cookies
Si tu n'avais plus ta tête, ça n'était pas important
It didn't matter if you lost your mind
Quand tu rangeais tes lunettes dans le frigo, c'était marrant
It was funny when you put your glasses in the fridge
Pour toujours nous regretterons le réglage de ta télé
We will always regret not being able to fix your TV
Pas besoin de champignons pour avoir les yeux éclatés
We didn't need mushrooms to have our eyes dilated
Tes bruitages insoutenables étaient toujours bienvenus
Your unbearable sound effects were always welcome
Quand tu te levais de table, c'était souvent sans retenue
You often got up from the table without restraint
Nos petites farces amicales
Our little friendly pranks
(Oh, amicales)
(Oh, friendly)
Etaient parfois un peu dures
Were sometimes a bit harsh
(Oui un peu dures)
(Yes, a bit harsh)
La dernière te fut fatale
The last one was fatal for you
Nous le regretterons, ça c'est sûr!!!
We will surely regret it!
Nous garderons en mémoire ce dentier qui fut le tien
We will remember your dentures that were yours
Il donnait à tes histoires un p'tit air américain
It gave your stories a little American flavor
Et nous ajouterons en prime ton fabuleux Sonotone
And we will add your fabulous hearing aid to the list
Lui qui nous apprît le mime méritait qu'on le mentionne
It, which taught us how to mime, deserves to be mentioned
Nous sommes tous au désespoir
We are all in despair
(Au désespoir)
(In despair)
Et nous ne saurons jamais
And we will never know
(Jamais!)
(Never!)
Ce que faisait ce savon noir
What that black soap was for
Tout en haut de l'escalier!!!
At the very top of the stairs!!!
Il y a un an, le 12 octobre, tu nous quittais... Mémère
It was a year ago, on October 12th, that you passed away... Granny
Contributed by Gabriel K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
srvfan79
J'ai dû la chanter un millier de fois celle-là. Faut dire qu'avec 2 ou 3 bières de plus que la dose médicinale, et hop, j'y vais de ma petite ritournelle! Génial les clips des VRP, merci :D
Skyno 77
TROP BON SON merci a vous les VRp !!!
Dark Light
Ah la la que de fous rire sur cette chanson!!! je la jouais à l'accordéon dans le métro ;-) Merci pour le partage***
Luciano Milo
@Brayden Aidan No problem :)
Javion Adrien
@Christian Caden thank you, I went there and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D I appreciate it!!
Duke Atlas
@Christian Caden thanks, signed up and it seems like a nice service :D I appreciate it!
Tristan Mateo
@Christian Caden yup, I've been using FlixZone for months myself =)
Christian Caden
@Brayden Aidan try flixzone. Just google for it :)
Tig-Zee From the Matchbox's orange shoe
Clip à la hauteur de la chanson ^^ Encore !
klochette310
excellent comme toujours