Marc Lavoine is a French singer born near Paris. He was labeled a heart thr… Read Full Bio ↴Marc Lavoine is a French singer born near Paris. He was labeled a heart throb at the beginning of his career and remains popular. He released his first album, Le Parking des Anges, in 1985 with his song "Elle a les yeux revolver" as a favorite among teens. In 1987, Lavoine released his second album Fabriqué. His single, "Qu'est-ce que t'es belle", was a duet with Les Rita Mitsouko leader Catherine Ringer. His third album Les Amours Du Dimanche was released in 1989, which sold 300,000 albums.

In 1992, the singles "Paris", also the title track of his fourth album, and "L'Amour de trente secondes" gained success. In 1993, Lavoine released his fifth album Faux Rêveur. Lavoine's sixth album Lavoine-Matic, released in 1996, included the single "C'est ça la France", which is a song of tolerance and was awarded Best Video from the Victoire de la Musique. In 1999, his seventh album Septième Ciel was released, with the first single as "Les Tournesols"

Lavoine's eighth album, which did not have a title, was released in 2001. Like former albums, this featured duets with female singers, including Italian singer and actress Cristina Marocco, singer Françoise Hardy and actress Claire Keim. In 2003, he released the single "Dis-moi que l'amour" and a live album entitled Olympia Deux Mille Trois. Lavoine's ninth albulm L'Heure d'été, included singles "Je me sens si seul", "Toi mon amour" and "J'espère", a duet with Belgian singer of Vietnamese descent Quynh Anh.

La Mélancolie
Marc Lavoine Lyrics

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Depuis longtemps tu me colles
Depuis le banc de l'école
L'encrier, tube de colle
Balle au priso, Pigeon vole
Mon prénom sur un bol
Solitude et rossignol

Depuis longtemps tu me suis

Adolescent pour la vie
Un mange-disque, Patty Smith
10CC, Brian Ferry
Le muguet, le Parti
La banlieue, les spaghettis

Elle est plus belle
Que Notre Dame de Paris
Elle est plus jolie
Qu'une mélodie de Sati
Elle est plus belle
Que le printemps qui fleurit
Elle s'appelle la mélancolie

Depuis longtemps tu me traines
De Prévert en morne plaine
Les cerises, les tilleuls
Les roseaux, les buis, les chênes
L'odyssée, les sirènes
Et le chant des lycéennes

Depuis longtemps tu me tiens
Comme une laisse au bout d'un chien
Sous ta robe un chemin
C'était un petit jardin
Je te tiens, tu me tiens
La rirette et peau de lapin

Elle est plus belle
Que Notre Dame de Paris
Elle est plus jolie
Qu'une mélodie de Sati
Elle est plus belle

Que le printemps qui fleurit
Elle s'appelle la mélancolie

Overall Meaning

The song "La Mélancolie" by Marc Lavoine is a melancholic ode to the feeling of sadness that has been following the singer since childhood. The lyrics are a poetic and nostalgic encapsulation of the different elements of the singer's life that have contributed to this feeling, and have been constantly present as a source of comfort and familiarity throughout his life. In the first verse, the singer lists some of the childhood experiences that are forever tied to this feeling of melancholy, such as sitting next to someone who is constantly using glue or ink, playing schoolyard games like "Balle au priso" and "Pigeon vole", and feeling alone and listening to the sounds of a solitary nightingale.

The second verse continues the list of experiences that have shaped the singer's relationship with melancholy, including his teenage years spent listening to music by Patty Smith, 10CC, and Brian Ferry, being a member of the May Day Communist party, living in the suburbs and eating spaghetti, and feeling lost in uncertain times. Throughout the song, the refrain repeats the assertion that this melancholy feeling is beautiful and more enchanting than any other beautiful thing, such as Notre Dame cathedral, a melody by Sati, or the blooming of spring flowers.

Overall, the song captures the bittersweet yet familiar longing that accompanies the experience of deep sadness and the appreciation for the beauty that can arise from that emotion.

Line by Line Meaning

Depuis longtemps tu me colles
You've been sticking to me for a long time

Depuis le banc de l'école
Since the school bench

L'encrier, tube de colle
Inkwell, glue tube

Balle au priso, Pigeon vole
Prison ball, flying pigeon

Mon prénom sur un bol
My name on a bowl

Solitude et rossignol
Solitude and nightingale

Depuis longtemps tu me suis
You've been following me for a long time

Adolescent pour la vie
Adolescent for life

Un mange-disque, Patty Smith
A record player, Patty Smith

10CC, Brian Ferry
10CC, Brian Ferry

Le muguet, le Parti
Lily of the Valley, the Party