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.
Totem
Zazie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La jambe
L'esquisse
La cuisse
Un bras
De fer
Un cœur
De pierre
Sur lui
S'abîment.
Mes mains
Qui saignent
Dressées comme un totem.
Je sculpte
Je taille
J'invente
Cet homme
Qui m'aime
Qui m'aime.
Plus fort
Encore
Plus haut
Le corps
Plus dur
Plus chaud
Mon âme
De squaw
Façonne
Cet homme
Rêvé.
Caresse
L'idée
Dressée comme un totem.
Je sculpte
Je taille
Un temple à l'homme que j'aime
Que j'aime.
Encore
Je prie
J'attends
L'esprit
Du vent
La vie
Pénètre
En moi.
La vie
Peut être
Dressée comme un totem.
Je sculpte
Je taille
Je souffle à l'homme que j'aime.
Enfin
Viens
Viens
Viens
viens
The song "Totem" by Zazie is a poetic expression of the creative process of self-discovery and growth. The lyrics describe the act of crafting a totem, which serves as a physical manifestation of the artist's devotion to a loved one. The various body parts mentioned symbolize different aspects of the person being sculpted, such as strength, resilience, and passion. The artist's hands bleed as they work tirelessly to create this symbol of their love.
The chorus repeats the refrain of "Je sculpte, je taille," which translates to "I sculpt, I carve." The artist continues to shape and refine the totem, striving to create a perfect reflection of their beloved. The image of a temple is also mentioned, suggesting that the totem serves as a spiritual anchor for the artist's emotions.
Towards the end of the song, the artist speaks of waiting for the wind to bring them the spirit of their beloved. The final word "viens" (come) is repeated over and over, almost as an incantation. The song ends on a hopeful note, as if the artist is summoning their beloved to finally come to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Le pied
The foot, representing the foundation on which I will build my sculpture.
La jambe
The leg, representing the strength and power that my sculpture will possess.
L'esquisse
The sketch, representing the initial idea and plan for my sculpture.
La cuisse
The thigh, representing the solidity and stability that my sculpture will embody.
Un bras
An arm, made of iron, representing the endurance and resilience that my sculpture will exhibit.
De fer
Of iron, representing the durability and strength of my sculpture.
Un cœur
A heart, made of stone, representing the emotional distance and coldness that my sculpture will convey.
De pierre
Made of stone, representing the harshness and rigidity that my sculpture will exhibit.
Mes mains
My hands, representing the tools with which I will create my sculpture.
Sur lui
On it, representing the process of shaping and molding my sculpture with my hands.
S'abîment.
They become damaged and wounded, representing the physical toll that sculpting takes on the body.
Mes mains
My hands (again), but this time they are bleeding and raised like a totem pole.
Qui saignent
That are bleeding, representing the sacrifice and dedication required to create such a sculpture.
Dressées comme un totem.
Raised like a totem pole, representing the reverence and importance that my sculpture will hold in my life.
Je sculpte
I carve, representing the act of creating and molding my sculpture.
Je taille
I chisel, representing the meticulous and precise work required to create my sculpture.
J'invente
I invent, representing the use of imagination and creativity in the process of sculpting.
Cet homme
This man, representing the subject or inspiration behind my sculpture.
Qui m'aime
Who loves me, representing the emotional connection and attachment that I have to the subject of my sculpture.
Plus fort
Stronger, representing the continuous efforts to make the sculpture more powerful and impactful.
Encore
Even more, representing the persistent drive to improve and perfect the sculpture.
Plus haut
Higher, representing the aspirations to make the sculpture more impressive and grandiose.
Le corps
The body, representing the physical form of my sculpture.
Plus dur
Tougher, representing the efforts to make the sculpture more resilient and long-lasting.
Plus chaud
Hotter, representing the passion and intensity that my sculpture will convey.
Mon âme
My soul, representing the innermost essence and spirit that my sculpture will embody.
De squaw
Squaw-like, representing the feminine energy and perspective that will be infused in my sculpture.
Façonne
I shape, representing the process of molding and crafting the sculpture according to my vision.
Cet homme
This man (again), in whose honor and likeness the sculpture is being created.
Rêvé.
Dreamt of, representing the visionary and imaginative aspect of the sculpture-making process.
Caresse
I caress, representing the gentle and loving touch that I bestow upon my sculpture.
L'idée
The idea, representing the conceptual framework and inspiration for my sculpture.
Dressée comme un totem.
Erected like a totem pole (again), representing the significance and importance that the idea holds in creating the sculpture.
Je sculpte
I sculpt (again), continuing the process of creating my sculpture.
Je taille
I carve (again), honing my skills and refining the sculpture.
Un temple à l'homme que j'aime
A temple to the man I love, representing the intensity and devotion of my feelings for the subject of the sculpture.
Que j'aime.
That I love, emphasizing the emotional connection and attachment that I have for the subject of my sculpture.
Encore
Again, reinforcing the continuous process of creating and refining the sculpture.
Je prie
I pray, representing the spiritual and otherworldly aspects of creating the sculpture and the connection to a higher power.
J'attends
I wait, representing the patience and dedication required to complete the sculpture.
L'esprit
The spirit, representing the intangible and elusive aspect of the sculpture-making process.
Du vent
Of the wind, representing the unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of the creative process.
La vie
Life, representing the vitality and essence that my sculpture will embody.
Pénètre
Penetrates, representing the infusion of energy and spirit that will animate my sculpture.
En moi.
Within me, emphasizing the personal connection and investment that I have in creating the sculpture.
La vie
Life (again), but this time as a totem pole.
Peut être
Can be, suggesting the transformative and transcendent power of my sculpture.
Dressée comme un totem.
Erected like a totem pole (yet again), representing the reverence and awe that my sculpture will invoke.
Je sculpte
I sculpt (for the last time), the final stage in creating my masterpiece.
Je taille
I chisel (once more), the last touches on my sculpture before it is complete.
Je souffle à l'homme que j'aime.
I breathe life into the man I love, the final act of creation and the moment at which my sculpture comes to life.
Enfin
Finally, representing the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with completing a monumental task.
Viens
Come, beckoning the subject of the sculpture to come and witness the masterpiece that has been created in his honor.
Viens
Come (again), reinforcing the invitation and anticipation of the subject coming to see the sculpture.
Viens
Come (yet again), with increasing urgency and excitement.
Viens
Come (one last time), the final note of the song and the culmination of the sculpture-making process.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEAN-PIERRE PILOT, PHILIPPE PARADIS, ZAZIE DE TRUCHIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind