Zazie (born Isabelle de Truchis de Varennes on 18 April 1964 in Boulogne-Bi… Read Full Bio ↴Zazie (born Isabelle de Truchis de Varennes on 18 April 1964 in Boulogne-Billancourt) is a French singer and songwriter who also co-produces her own albums.

Zazie's mother was an architect and her father a music teacher. Her songs range from upbeat rock or pop songs to languid downtempo tunes and are characterised by the wit of their lyrics based on puns, alliterations, homophones and double-entendres.

Zazie debuted in 1992 with the album "Je Tu Ils" and the single "Sucré salé".

In 1995, she released her sophomore album Zen, which was co-written and co-produced with Vincent-Marie Bouvot. It included the singles "Zen" and "Homme Sweet Homme". Her 1996 single "Un point c'est toi" from the same album was discussed on Canada's MuchMusic TV program Too Much 4 Much due to its controversial content. Ultimately, the discussion panel deemed the video okay for audiences. In the video, a group of four smitten women, including Zazie, follow a pair of men down to a lake. There, the two men strip off their clothes and swim in the water. Zazie fantasizes about undressing one of the men and kissing him. To shock of the women, however, the two men kiss each other.
In 1997, Pascal Obispo and Zazie released the single "Les Meilleurs Ennemis".

Her 1998 album Made in Love was co-produced by Ali Staton, Pierre Jaconelli, and herself. The album photos were taken by fashion designer Jean-Baptiste Mondino. The songs "Ça Fait Mal Et Ça Fait Rien", "Tous des anges", and "Tout Le Monde" were released as singles. This album was followed by a live album, Made in Live, the next year. In 1999 she also wrote a song for Jane Birkin in Jane Birkin's album .
In 2001, Zazie dueted with Axel Bauer on the single "A Ma Place". It was her most successful single in France, reaching number four on the French charts.

Zazie once again addressed gay content on her 2002 single "Adam et Yves" from her 2001 album La Zizanie. This album was produced solely by Pierre Jaconelli. Other singles included "Rue de la paix" and "Danse avec les loops". In 2003, she released another live album, Ze Live.

Her 2004 album Rodéo was co-produced and co-written with Jean-Pierre Pilot and Philippe Paradis. A short film "Rodéo indien" was made using songs from the album as a soundtrack. Zazie played the role of an Indian woman who leaves her cheating husband. She followed this album up with a live album, Rodéo Tour in 2006.

In 2007 her sixth studio album "Totem" was released and debuted at number 1. The second single (but first commercially released) was "Je Suis Un Homme" which became Zazie's first solo top ten hit in France. In Winter 2008 a best of album "Zest of Zazie" was released which as well as past hits contained two new songs "Fm Air" and "Un peu beaucoup" and live recordings.

Frère Jacques
Zazie Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Frère Jacques
Dormez-vous?
Je n'peux pas même si je dors debout
La porte claque, en dessous
La porte claque et moi, je suis à bout

Ça m'rend dingue, ça rend dingue
C'est bien notre vie, le pire des cauchemars

Comment fermer les yeux?
Quand c'est bien nous, les monstres qui sortent du placard
Comment fermer les yeux?
Quand c'est bien notre monde, cette ombre dans le noir
Comment fermer les yeux?

Frère Jacques
On est fous
Insomniaques, ça ne tient plus debout
La Terre craque, en dessous
La Terre craque et tout l'monde s'en fout

Oui, c'est bien notre vie, le pire des cauchemars
Comment fermer les yeux?
Quand c'est bien nous, les monstres qui sortent du placard
Comment fermer les yeux?
Quand c'est bien notre tombe que nous creusons dans le noir
Comment fermer les yeux?

Tou-dou-dou-dou, tou-tou
Tou-dou-dou-dou, tou
Toutes ces nuits blanches, ces idées noires
Tou-dou-dou-dou, tou-tou
Tou-dou-dou-dou, tou
Tout ce bruit pour rien, c'est trop tard
Pour faire taire
La musique
De cette berceuse électrique

Électrique

Dodo, l'enfant do, dort
L'enfant do, dort
L'enfant do, dort
L'enfant do, dort
L'enfant do, dort
L'enfant do, dort

L'enfant dodo
L'enfant dort

Overall Meaning

In Zazie's song "Frère Jacques," the lyrics depict a sense of restlessness and a feeling of being trapped. The lyrics start with "Frère Jacques, dormez-vous?" which translates to "Brother Jacques, are you sleeping?" This can be interpreted as questioning the state of peace and tranquility. The next line, "Je n'peux pas même si je dors debout," translates to "I can't even if I'm standing." This suggests an inability to find rest or escape from the overwhelming thoughts and emotions.

The lyrics continue with references to a slamming door and being at wit's end. This can symbolize the constant disruptions and frustrations in life that prevent finding solace. The repetition of "ça rend dingue" (it drives me crazy) emphasizes the intensifying madness and despair.

The second verse amplifies the feeling of insanity, stating that they are crazy and that insomnia is no longer sustainable. The line "La Terre craque et tout l'monde s'en fout" translates to "The Earth cracks and everyone doesn't care." This implies a sense of hopelessness and indifference towards the world's problems.

The final verse introduces the notion of white nights and dark thoughts, highlighting the restless nights and negative ideas that consume the mind. The line "Tout ce bruit pour rien, c'est trop tard, pour faire taire" translates to "All this noise for nothing, it's too late to silence." This suggests a resignation to the chaos and noise around them.

Overall, "Frère Jacques" showcases a sense of frustration, disillusionment, and a struggle to find peace amidst a turbulent world.

Line by Line Meaning

Frère Jacques
Brother Jacques

Dormez-vous?
Are you sleeping?

Je n'peux pas même si je dors debout
I can't even if I sleep standing up

La porte claque, en dessous
The door slams, below

La porte claque et moi, je suis à bout
The door slams and I'm exhausted

Ça m'rend dingue, ça rend dingue
It drives me crazy, it makes me crazy

C'est bien notre vie, le pire des cauchemars
This is our life, the worst of nightmares