<… Read Full Bio ↴She was born on December 26, 1929 in Belgium to Polish-Jewish parents.
Started life hiding from the Nazis in occupied wartime France and later invented the format for "discothèque" (French for Nightclubs). Setting in 1953 the elements of modern day nightclubs, mainly by replacing the use of jukebox by coupled turntables as done for the first time in Paris' 'Whisky-a-Gogo' club that she managed aged 24. This specific setting appeared later in any of 'Chez Régine's ultra selective venues and later in many variations at most Nightclubs around the world.
Aside of inventing and managing "discothèques", she taught a former king of England to do the twist, presided over a multi-million dollar international nightclub empire and had a hit single with the French version of Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive." She also played in a few movies.
In 1957 she opened Chez Régine in the Latin Quarter, which quickly became the place to be seen for playboys and princes. It was here that she introduced France to the 'Twist', having seen the Paris cast of West Side Story warming up to Chubby Checker records.
In the 1970s Régine moved to New York and lived in a suite of the Delmonico Hotel. At her height there were 25 clubs bearing the name across three continents and it was said you could party at a Régine's somewhere in the world 17 hours out of every 24, if you could get in.
Loulou
Regine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sur un océan foufou
Loulou, il vogue Loulou puis coud le glouglou avec Loulou
Loulou, range donc Loulou, tes petits pioupiou, ta poupée, ton gros doudou
Loulou, tu as grandi Loulou, oublie ta nounou et tes joujou
Tout tout est permis Loulou, la soie les froufrous et les bas noirs à trous trous, joujou de ta beauté Loulou
On sera foufou de toi Loulou
Loulou, ma petite Loulou, tu seras la chouchou de tous les hommes Loulou
Sousous, les baisers doux doux
N'oublie pas Loulou, belle Loulou
Loulou, l'amour et Loulou qu'un frèle youyou
Sur un océan foufou
Loulou, il vogue Loulou puis coud le glouglou avec Loulou
The lyrics to "Loulou" by Regine are whimsical and playful, yet carry a deeper meaning beneath the surface. The song tells the story of Loulou, a young woman who is navigating her way through life on a turbulent sea, with her beloved by her side. "Loulou, l'amour et Loulou qu'un frèle est youyou sur un océan foufou" translates to "Loulou, love and Loulou that a fragile youyou on a crazy ocean". The use of the words "youyou" and "foufou" add to the playful nature of the lyrics, but also hint at the uncertainty and unpredictability of life.
As the song progresses, Loulou is encouraged to embrace all that life has to offer, with the lyrics "Tout tout est permis Loulou, la soie les froufrous et les bas noirs à trous trous, joujou de ta beauté Loulou" meaning "Everything is allowed Loulou, silk, frills, and black stockings with holes, toys of your beauty Loulou". The repetition of Loulou's name emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and self-love.
The mention of Loulou becoming the "chouchou", or darling, of all men underscores the pressure that women face in society to conform to traditional gender roles and be desirable to men. However, the song ultimately ends with a reminder to Loulou to never forget her own beauty and worth, as she continues to navigate the ups and downs of life on the sea.
Overall, "Loulou" is a fun and lighthearted song that also delves into deeper themes of self-discovery and societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Loulou, l'amour et Loulou qu'un frèle est youyou
Loulou, love and Loulou like a fragile toy.
Sur un océan foufou
On a crazy ocean.
Loulou, il vogue Loulou puis coud le glouglou avec Loulou
Loulou sails, then mends the gurgling noise with Loulou.
Loulou, range donc Loulou, tes petits pioupiou, ta poupée, ton gros doudou
Loulou, put away your little toys, your doll, and your big stuffed animal.
Loulou, tu as grandi Loulou, oublie ta nounou et tes joujou
Loulou, you've grown up, forget your nanny and your toys.
Tout tout est permis Loulou, la soie les froufrous et les bas noirs à trous trous, joujou de ta beauté Loulou
Everything is allowed, silk, frills, and fishnet stockings with holes, playthings of your beauty, Loulou.
On sera foufou de toi Loulou
We will be crazy about you Loulou.
Loulou, ma petite Loulou, tu seras la chouchou de tous les hommes Loulou
Loulou, my little Loulou, you will be the darling of all men, Loulou.
Sousous, les baisers doux doux
Sweet kisses, mmm.
N'oublie pas Loulou, belle Loulou
Don't forget, beautiful Loulou.
Loulou, l'amour et Loulou qu'un frèle youyou
Loulou, love and Loulou like a fragile toy.
Sur un océan foufou
On a crazy ocean.
Loulou, il vogue Loulou puis coud le glouglou avec Loulou
Loulou sails, then mends the gurgling noise with Loulou.
Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.