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...
Mardi Gras
Les VRP Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vivement mardi gras qu'on puisse enfin se déguiser
Comme l'année passée on va avoir un tas d'idées
Des marquises, des fées, des cow-boys, des plombiers
Des douzaines d'infirmières et 53 sapeurs pompiers
Des plus mal observés a ceux qui auraient pu mieux faire
On prépare la soirée dans une ambiance du tonnerre
Y'a toujours un malin pour se déguiser en mouche
Ceux la 'faut qu'ils expliquent car c'est pas très évident
Aux amis étonnés l'idée de leur déguisement
Au cours de la soirée on tombe souvent nez a nez
Avec un faux Coluche qui essaye de vous faire marrer
Y'a toujours un public pour ce genre de rigolo
Qui s'étrangle de rire en s'empiffrant de p'tits gâteaux
Dans un p'tit canapé un groupe de gens pas déguisés
Prétend avec fierté qu'il n'aime pas ces festivités
N'empêche qu'ils sont partout faisant chaque fois acte de présence
C'est les mieux déguisés dans leur tenue de suffisance
On apporte le dessert 'faut éteindre toutes les lumières
Car en plus aujourd'hui on célèbre un anniversaire
En soufflant les bougies on fait voler le sucre glace
Qu'un genre d'Henry Guybet va recevoir en pleine face
Quand la fête est finie il reste toujours quelques amis
Pleins de bonne volonté pour vous aider a nettoyer
Il faut se dépêcher car demain on va au boulot
Samedi tout l'monde revient pour la super soirée diapos
Vivement mardi gras qu'on puisse enfin se déguiser
Comme l'année passée on va avoir un tas d'ides
Des marquises, des fées, des cow-boys, des plombiers
Des douzaines d'infirmières et 53 sapeurs pompiers
Des plus mal observés a ceux qui auraient pu mieux faire
On prépare la soirée dans une ambiance du tonnerre
On prépare la soirée dans une ambiance du tonnerre...
The song "Mardi gras" by Les VRP is a playful and humorous ode to the French tradition of Carnival, a time of celebration and dressing up before the start of Lent. The lyrics describe the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Mardi Gras festivities, as well as the creativity and diversity of costumes that will be on display. From marquises to cowboys, nurses to firefighters, and even a cleverly disguised fly or snail, the song paints a vivid picture of the colorful and lively atmosphere of a Mardi Gras party.
The lyrics also poke fun at those who refuse to participate or who see the festivities as silly, singing "In a little couch, a group of people not disguised, claims with pride that they don't like these festivities. Nevertheless, they are everywhere, showing up each time. They are the best-disguised in their attitude of sufficiency." The song concludes with a description of the aftermath of the party, as friends pitch in to help clean up before heading back to work the next day and looking forward to the next year's celebration.
Overall, the song celebrates the joy and camaraderie of Mardi Gras, while gently teasing those who don't see the fun in dressing up and goofing around with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Un p'tit sourire...
The song starts with a light-hearted tone inviting a smile from the listener.
Vivement mardi gras qu'on puisse enfin se déguiser
Excitedly looking forward to the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration, where people can finally dress up in costumes.
Comme l'année passée on va avoir un tas d'idées
Planning to come up with a lot of costume ideas like last year.
Des marquises, des fées, des cow-boys, des plombiers
Listing some of the costume ideas, including noblewomen, fairies, cowboys, and plumbers.
Des douzaines d'infirmières et 53 sapeurs pompiers
Expecting to see many nurse and firefighter costumes, ranging from poorly executed to well-crafted.
Des plus mal observés a ceux qui auraient pu mieux faire
Acknowledging that some costumes will be poorly executed, while others will have room for improvement.
On prépare la soirée dans une ambiance du tonnerre
Preparing for the party in a lively atmosphere.
Y'a toujours un malin pour se déguiser en mouche
There is always someone who dresses up as a fly or another strange item, requiring them to explain the costume to their curious friends.
En cuvette de WC ou en escargot qui louche
Describing more outrageous costumes, such as a toilet bowl or a cross-eyed snail.
Ceux la 'faut qu'ils expliquent car c'est pas très évident
The people with more complex costumes need to explain them because they are not obvious to others.
Aux amis étonnés l'idée de leur déguisement
Explaining the costume idea to surprised friends.
Au cours de la soirée on tombe souvent nez a nez
During the party, people often come face to face with one another on accident.
Avec un faux Coluche qui essaye de vous faire marrer
Running into someone dressed up as a comedic impersonator, like a fake Coluche.
Y'a toujours un public pour ce genre de rigolo
There is always an audience for comedic impersonators, and people enjoy laughing while eating snacks.
Qui s'étrangle de rire en s'empiffrant de p'tits gâteaux
The audience eats small cakes and laughs uncontrollably.
Dans un p'tit canapé un groupe de gens pas déguisés
There is a group of people sitting on a small couch who didn't dress up.
Prétend avec fierté qu'il n'aime pas ces festivités
This group proudly claims that they do not enjoy the festivities.
N'empêche qu'ils sont partout faisant chaque fois acte de présence
However, this group is still present and can be found all around the party.
C'est les mieux déguisés dans leur tenue de suffisance
Despite not dressing up, this group believes they are the best dressed because of their prideful attitude.
On apporte le dessert 'faut éteindre toutes les lumières
Bringing out the dessert and needing to turn off the lights for a specific reason.
Car en plus aujourd'hui on célèbre un anniversaire
Celebrating someone's birthday on top of the Mardi Gras party.
En soufflant les bougies on fait voler le sucre glace
Blowing out the candles and spraying powdered sugar everywhere, like in a scene from a Henry Guybet film.
Quand la fête est finie il reste toujours quelques amis
When the party is over, there are always some friends remaining.
Pleins de bonne volonté pour vous aider a nettoyer
These friends are eager to help clean up.
Il faut se dépêcher car demain on va au boulot
Everyone needs to hurry to finish cleaning because they have work tomorrow.
Samedi tout l'monde revient pour la super soirée diapos
Everyone will be coming back the following Saturday for a slide show party.
On prépare la soirée dans une ambiance du tonnerre
The lyrics repeat the lively atmosphere from earlier, highlighting how excited they are for the upcoming party.
On prépare la soirée dans une ambiance du tonnerre...
The song ends with a repeat of the earlier line, driving home the point that they are eagerly preparing for the amazing party to come.
Contributed by Landon C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.