La Javanaise
Victoria Abril Lyrics

The song "La Javanaise" by Serge Gainsbourg is a melancholic and sentimental ode to love that has passed. In this version performed by Victoria Abril, the lyrics are delivered with a sultry and emotive tone, allowing the words to convey the pain and longing that the singer feels. She begins by asking her lover if they, too, suffered before they met, suggesting that she went through a difficult time before finding happiness with them. Despite this, they shared a deep connection while dancing to "La Javanaise", suggesting that music and dance played a significant role in their romance, even if it was short-lived.

The song continues with the singer acknowledging that their love was fleeting, but powerful. She questions what they truly experienced, wondering if they even truly knew love. Despite this uncertainty, she acknowledges that they had a special connection, even if it was only for the duration of a song. The final verse reveals that the singer is resigned to having lost her love, and even though life is not worth living without it, it was her lover's choice to leave. The repetition of the phrase "en dansant la Javanaise nous nous aimions le temps d'une chanson" emphasizes the fleeting nature of love and how something so beautiful can be lost just as quickly.