L'eau rouge
The Young Gods Lyrics

The lyrics to The Young Gods's song L'eau rouge present a vivid image of a city overflowing with life, movement, and sensuality. The phrase "Tout le monde danse" ("Everyone's dancing") is repeated throughout the song, creating a rhythmic and hypnotic effect that reinforces the idea of collective celebration. The water, personified as a female entity, is both a source of joy and danger, as she is said to burn ("Celle qu'on dit qu'elle brûle") and make hearts race with passion ("J'ai, j'ai le coeur en feu"). The singer seems to be caught in the spell of the water, desiring to possess her ("Oh, donne-m'en un peau", "Oh, donne-m'en sirène"), but also acknowledging that she is beyond his control ("Elle coule pour toujours"). The metaphor of the red water, which could refer to blood, wine, or any other powerful fluid, adds a layer of ambiguity to the song, inviting different interpretations.

One possible reading of L'eau rouge is that it celebrates a Dionysian spirit of abandon and ecstasy in opposition to a more rational and controlled way of life. The "faubourgs", or suburbs, where the dancing takes place, could represent the margins of society, where people are free to express themselves without conforming to bourgeois norms. The water, with its unpredictable and chaotic nature, symbolizes the force of life that cannot be tamed by human beings. The image of the red water could also suggest a darker side to this celebration of vitality, alluding to violence, sacrifice, or madness. Overall, L'eau rouge is a poetic and enigmatic song that invites the listener to let go of their inhibitions and immerse themselves in its mysterious world.