She was discovered on the TV show L'École des fans in 1980. She recorded her first single La Magie des surprises-parties in 1985. Although it was not a hit, it paved the way for the song with which she would become internationally famous - "Joe le taxi" in 1987, while she was still only 14 years old. It was #1 in France for 11 weeks and, unusually for a song sung in French, was released in the United Kingdom the following year, where it reached #3. It was taken from her first album M&J (it stands for Marilyn & John) which, although it gained a number 13 placing in France, drew little attention in the UK and did not chart.
In 1992, now 19 and working in the United States with rock musician Lenny Kravitz, who was her boyfriend for a while, Paradis began work on a new album sung in English, in which she had become fluent. Written and produced by Kravitz, the album, titled Vanessa Paradis, topped the French chart and briefly made the UK listings (number 45). One of the singles from it was Be My Baby, which made number 5 in France and gave her another Top 10 UK hit (number 6). She has since appeared in several films, most famously "Noce Blanche", for which she won the 1990 César Award for Most Promising Actress; 1999's La fille sur le pont (aka Girl on the Bridge), which became an arthouse box office hit in the United States; and 2004's Mon Ange.
Paradis currently released a new album (Divinidylle). There are three versions (regular, limited edition, and the Christmas edition). She started the Divinidylle tour in October. Some concerts were filmed and the DVD/CD of the tour was just recently released. Her latest film DVD release is La Clef. Also, Vanessa recently won two Les Victoires de la Musique awards for her new album Divinidylle. Some of her next projects include a greatest hits cd which includes the commercial jingle "I love Paris in the Springtime" as well as the movies "The Midwife Crisis" and "Un monstre à Paris April" which will be released in 2010.
Vanessa Paradis has been in a relationship with American actor Johnny Depp since 1998. They have a daughter, Lily-Rose Melody Depp (born 27 May 1999), and a son, John Christopher "Jack" Depp III (born 9 April 2002[3]).
Intro
Vanessa Paradis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
I realize, I'm hypnotized
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
I hear the moon singing a tune
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
Is she devine, Is it the wine
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why
That's how we are, La Seine and I
I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why
That's how we are, La Seine and I
I feel alive when I'm beside
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
From this angle like an angel
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why
That's how we are, La Seine and I
I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why
That's how we are, the Seine and I
Upon the bridge
My heart does beat
Between the waves
We will be saved
The air we breathe
Can you believe?
Learn to forgive upon the bridge
That's how we are, the Seine and I
That's how we are, the Seine and I
That's how we are, the Seine and I
That's how we are, the Seine and I
Vanessa Paradis's song "Intro" is an ode to the river Seine and its relationship to the singer. The song's opening lyrics describe the Seine as "resplendent" and "confident," implying a certain level of admiration and awe from Paradis towards the river. The repetition of "La Seine, La Seine, La Seine" throughout the song serves to reinforce this reverence.
Paradis then goes on to talk about her own emotional response to the Seine, saying that she feels "hypnotized" and "alive" when she's beside it. She also questions whether the beauty of the river is due to its own divine nature or simply the effects of wine. This line speaks to the idea of human beings projecting their own feelings and emotions onto nature.
The final verse of the song describes the bridge over the Seine, which is a symbolic place for Paradis where forgiveness and renewal can take place. The line, "Between the waves/We will be saved" suggests a sense of escape or sanctuary that can be found in the presence of the river.
Overall, "Intro" is a poetic and introspective song about the relationship between an individual and the natural world, and how that relationship can be transformative.
Line by Line Meaning
She's resplendent, so confident
Vanessa Paradis is describing the Seine River as magnificent and self-assured
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
Repeated chorus about the Seine River
I realize, I'm hypnotized
Vanessa Paradis is admitting that she is under the spell of the Seine River
I hear the moon singing a tune
Vanessa Paradis is claiming that she can hear the Seine River echoing the song of the moon
Is she devine, Is it the wine
Vanessa Paradis is confused about whether the Seine River is extraordinary, or if it's just the wine she's had that makes it seem so
I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why
That's how we are, La Seine and I
Vanessa Paradis is admitting that she doesn't know why she is so drawn to the Seine River, but they are connected in some way
I feel alive when I'm beside
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
From this angle like an angel
La Seine, La Seine, La Seine
Vanessa Paradis feels more alive when she is next to the Seine River, and describes its view from her position as angelic
Upon the bridge
My heart does beat
Between the waves
We will be saved
The air we breathe
Can you believe?
Learn to forgive upon the bridge
Vanessa Paradis is using the bridge over the Seine as a metaphor for forgiveness and salvation, and how the river can help us heal
That's how we are, the Seine and I
Final chorus reiterating the connection between Vanessa Paradis and the Seine River
Contributed by Mason F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.