They are considered as influential in the development of industrial rock genre during the 1980s, with their employment of samplers instead of traditional rock guitars. Their later releases have incorporated elements of electronica and ambient. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Mike Patton and David Bowie have cited them as major influences.
Discography : Albums
The Young Gods -1987
L'Eau Rouge - 1989
Play Kurt Weill - 1991
TV Sky - 1992
Live Sky Tour - 1993
Only Heaven - 1995
Heaven Deconstruction - 1996
Second Nature - 2000
Live at Noumatrouff - 2001
Six Dew Points - 2002
Music For Artificial Clouds - 2004
Truce Diaries - 2005
Super Ready Fragmenté - 2007
Knock on Wood - 2008
Everybody Knows - 2010
Data Mirage Tangram - 2019
Play Terry Riley In C - 2022
Charlotte
The Young Gods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Le ciel ouvre la bouche
Et quand ses mains s'étendent...
Quand elle s'y attarde
Tous les enfants regardent
Et quand son dos se perle...
Quand Charlotte se touche
Et quand moi je m'en vais
Charlotte reste bouche bée
Mais le ciel pique du nez
Charlotte, Charlotte
Quand Charlotte se touche
Charlotte, Charlotte de mon coeur
Quand Charlotte se touche... le nez
The lyrics to The Young Gods's song Charlotte seem to be suggesting an erotic act performed by a woman named Charlotte. When Charlotte touches herself, the sky opens up, and the children watch. It appears that Charlotte is aware of the attention she's getting and enjoys it. The singer then speaks of leaving and how Charlotte is still mystified by what she's just done, causing the sky to "nose-dive". The chorus repeats, "When Charlotte touches herself," and then adds, "Charlotte, Charlotte of my heart," at the end.
The lyrics might suggest that Charlotte, through touching herself, has reached a point of intense ecstasy that causes the sky to open up, and children, often symbolizing innocence and purity, to stare in amazement. The song might allude to the power of female sexuality and the effect it can have on both men and nature. The singer, while not participating directly in the act, seems to be drawn to Charlotte and has strong feelings for her.
Overall, The Young Gods's song Charlotte is less straightforward than it appears on the surface, and the lyrics can be interpreted in various ways. The song might be about the beauty and power of female sexuality, a man's longing for a woman who is unattainable, or a combination of both.
Line by Line Meaning
Quand Charlotte se touche
When Charlotte touches herself
Le ciel ouvre la bouche
The sky opens its mouth
Et quand ses mains s'étendent...
And when her hands extend...
Quand elle s'y attarde
When she lingers there
Tous les enfants regardent
All the children look
Et quand son dos se perle...
And when her back beads with sweat...
Charlotte, Charlotte
Charlotte, Charlotte
Quand Charlotte se touche
When Charlotte touches herself
Et quand moi je m'en vais
And when I leave
Charlotte reste bouche bée
Charlotte stays speechless
Mais le ciel pique du nez
But the sky drops its nose
Charlotte, Charlotte
Charlotte, Charlotte
Quand Charlotte se touche
When Charlotte touches herself
Charlotte, Charlotte de mon coeur
Charlotte, Charlotte of my heart
Quand Charlotte se touche... le nez
When Charlotte touches... her nose
Contributed by Jayce W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.