Libertine (song)

Single infobox |
Name = Libertine


Artist = Mylène Farmer
from Album = Cendres de Lune
Released = April 1, 1986
Format = 7" single
7" maxi
Cassette
Digital download (since 2005)
Recorded = 1986, France
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:30
Label = Polydor
Writer = Text : Laurent Boutonnat
Music : Jean-Claude Déquéant
Producer = Laurent Boutonnat
Certification =
Chronology = Mylène Farmer singles
Last single = "Plus grandir
(1985)
This single = "Libertine"
(1986)
Next single = "Tristana"
(1987)Extra album cover
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Background = khaki


Lower caption = First coverExtra tracklisting
Album = Cendres de Lune
Type = studio
prev_track =
prev_no =
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 1
next_track = "Au Bout de la nuit"
next_no = 2Extra tracklisting
Album = Les Clips
Type = Video
prev_track = "Plus grandir"
prev_no = 2
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 3
next_track = "Tristana"
next_no = 4Extra tracklisting
Album = En concert
Type = live
prev_track = "Ainsi soit je..."
prev_no = 5
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 6
next_track = "Mouvements de lune (Part 1)"
next_no = 7Extra tracklisting
Album = Dance Remixes
Type = compilation
prev_track = "Pourvu qu'elles soient douces"
prev_no = 2
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 3
next_track = "Je t'aime mélancolie"
next_no = 4Extra tracklisting
Album = Live à Bercy
Type = live
prev_track = "L'Autre..."
prev_no = 7
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 8
next_track = "L'Instant X"
next_no = 9Extra tracklisting
Album = Music Videos I
Type = Video
prev_track = "Plus grandir"
prev_no = 1
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 2
next_track = "Pourvu qu'elles soient douces"
next_no = 3Extra tracklisting
Album = Les Mots
Type = compilation
prev_track = "Plus grandir"
prev_no = 2
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 3
next_track = "Tristana"
next_no = 4Extra tracklisting
Album = RemixeS
Type = compilation
prev_track = "California"
prev_no = 8
this_track = "Libertine"
track_no = 9
next_track = "Optimistique-moi"
next_no = 10

"Libertine" is a 1986 song recorded by the French artist Mylène Farmer. Third single from her first studio album "Cendres de Lune", the song was released on April 1 1986. It was particularly known for its huge music video, produced as a film and which contains explicit sexual and violent scenes. It met success on the French chart, becoming thus Farmer's first big hit. In 2002, the song was successfully covered by Kate Ryan, who reached the top 20 in several European countries.

Mylène Farmer version

Background and writing

The song was inspired by a rock music, "L'Amour tutti frutti", composed in 1984 by Jean-Claude Déquéant. It had not achieved success at the time, but was appreciated by the duo Farmer / Boutonnat who wanted to use it for their next song. When Farmer did tests of singing on the music, she repeated "Je suis une putain" ("I am a whore") in the refrain ; that inspired Boutonnat for the theme of the song. [Interview of Jean-Claude Déquéant, "Mylène Farmer et Vous", summer 2005] Two vinyl's covers were released : the first one, in April, shows dark-haired Farmer wearing an orange robe, and the second one, in June, using an image from the videoclip with red-haired Farmer with a pistol in her hand. The song became a hit, fortunately, because Polydor, the record label of Farmer, could at any time break off the contract signed with the singer for two albums if the song had not been successful. In addition, the song allowed the album "Cendres de Lune" to be a success. ["Libertine" [http://www.sans-logique.com/mylene-farmer/discographie/singles/single.php?single=libertine Sans-logique.com] (Retrieved March 9, 2008)]

At the time, various remixes were produced by Boutonnat to the nightclubs. An English version of the song, "Bad Girl", was recorded, but unlike "My Mum Is Wrong", it was not released as a single because the recording was not very conclusive."L'Intégrale Mylene Farmer", Erwan Chuberre, 2007, City Ed., p. 190-191 (ISBN 978-2-35288-108-7)]

The song was performed on 1989 and 1996 concerts tours. It was also included in a medley during the Mylenium Tour.

Lyrics and music

"Libertine", one of the few songs whose lyrics were not composed by Farmer, contains many explicit references to sexuality. [Elia Habib, "Muz hit. tubes", p. 86 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)] Some phrases are very obscure or seem inconsistent."Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer", Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 151-158]

Music video

Production

Produced by Polydor and directed by Boutonnat, the video was shot in five days at the Château de Ferrières and Château de Brou in France, with a budget of about what would now be 46,000 euros (76,000 ["Mylène Farmer de A à Z", Florence Rajon, 2005, MusicBook Ed., p. 62-63] or 300,000 euros"Mylène Farmer, le culte - L'envers du décor", Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 40] according to other sources). Farmer said at the time that the video had a derisory cost in comparison with the effect it has produced ["Top 50", Canal +, September 6, 1986] . Presented on June 18, 1986 in preview at the cinema of the Champs-Elysées, this music video was the first one whose length was so long (10:53).

It is said to be the first instance of full frontal nudity made by a singer on a major music video.

It was inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film "Barry Lyndon". Most of the extras were actually employees of Polydor and Movie Box. ["Libertine", videoclip [http://www.mylenefarmeriscalled.net/libertineclip.html Mylenefarmeriscalled.net] (Retrieved March 9, 2008)]

Sophie Tellier, who plays the Woman in Red, was one of Farmer's dancers and also appeared in other singer's videos. She would also play Farmer's enemy in the video "Tristana".

Appropriately enough, Rambo Kolawski, the man who raped Farmer's character in the video for "Plus grandir", also appears as the man she kills in the duel.

Plot

The action takes place in mid-18th century France.

Libertine (Farmer) is a young woman who dresses as a man and spends her time in debauched parties. ["Astro", 1986, "Mylène : Vierge libertine" [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/ASTRO_86b.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] When the film begins she and a man are about to engage in a duel with pistols, witnessed by a Woman in Red. Libertine kills the man and runs away on a white horse, while the Woman in Red threatens revenge.

Later, in a castle, Libertine has a bath with two other women, anatomies on full display. They then dress, Libertine in male attire, and go to a banquet hall filled with people engaged in various pleasures. A man sends Libertine a message and follows her to an upstairs room, rejecting the Woman in Red's advances. The man and Libertine make love. (At this stage Farmer is shown fully naked, including full frontal, and the music stops to give way to sounds evoking eroticism (moans, howles of wolves).)

When Libertine returns to the party she is attacked by the Woman in Red. They fight violently and some blood flows. Seriously hurt by a fireplace poker, Libertine, and the man manage to escape on horseback, but the Woman in Red stages an ambush with accomplices and they are killed. The two murdered bodies are shown in close-up. ["Libertine", videoclip [http://www.sans-logique.com/mylene-farmer/clips/clip.php?clip=libertine Sans-logique.com] (Retrieved March 8, 2008)] ["La Dépêche", August 24, 1986, Christine Hiquet [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/LA_DEPECHE_240886b.jpgDevant-soi.com] , "Le Républicain", September 14, 1986, "Mylène Farmer, une chanteuse "libertine"", Chrisitne Hiquet [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/le_republicain_140986.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] ["Salut", 1986, "De Libertine" [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/salut_86.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)]

Viewings

The video was aired on many TV channels, but sometimes in a shortened version removing the scenes of violence and sex. The character played by Farmer embodies "the liberal ideas of the [18th century] , to the borders of vice and the loss of self", engaging in "extremes practices", such as the "sadomasochistic relationship" with the man. Thanks to this daring video, Farmer gained star status in France. [Mylène Farmer - La part d'ombre, Caroline Bee, Antoine Bioy & Benjamin Thiry, 2005, Archipel Ed., p. 165-167]

The music channel M6 which, at the time, was showing only music videos, broadcasted the uncensored version.

At the time, she had explained in an interview that she was bare in this video, but that it was for the first and the last time. ["Confidentiel", February 1987, "Mylène Farmer : Je ne me montrerai plus jamais nue", Danièle Asian [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1987/confidentiel_0287_p1.jpgDevant-soi.com (1)] [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1987/confidentiel_0287_p2.jpgDevant-soi.com (2)] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)]

Critical reception

"Libertine" was generally well-received by contemporary media. "France Soir" considered this song has "a little music that puts in a good mood from the awakening". ["France Soir", July 29, 1986, "Mylène Farmer, ingénue perverse", Monique Prévot [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/france_soir_290786.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] The video was much discussed in the media and caused the stir. ["Femme actuelle", June 30, 1986, "Mylène Farmer, libertine de charme" [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/femme_actuelle_300686.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] It was described as a "detonating videoclip", ["Elle", September 23, 1986, "Mylène Farmer", Marie-Aline Janneau [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/ELLE_230986.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] "a real gem directed as a mini-movie", ["France Dimanche", October 25, 1986, "En Vogue", Laurence Beurdeley [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/france_dimanche_251086a.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] the music video "the most complete and the longest", ["France Soir", August 20, 1986, "Vous la verrez dans "Affaire suivante"", Catherine Delmas [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/france_soir_200886B.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] "more a mini-movie than a videoclip", ["Fun Mag", 1986, p. 15 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/FUNMAG_86.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)] "the videoclip the strongest of the year". ["Télé Poche", September 1, 1986 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/1986/TELE_POCHE_010986.jpgDevant-soi.com] (Retrieved March 20, 2008)]

TV and chart performances

Farmer performed the song in numerous TV shows at the time, between January 20, 1986 and January 22, 1987. With more than 25 appearances in different programmes on various French and Belgian channels (TF1, Antenne 2, FR3, RTBF Belgium, La 5, RTL TV), "Libertine" is to date Farmer's song which was the most promoted on television. At certain performances, she also sang - in playback - "Maman a tort" and "Greta" and was sometimes interviewed. ["Libertine", TV performances [http://www.sans-logique.com/mylene-farmer/tv/index.php?annee=Tous&album=Tous&chanson=libertine&tag= Sans-logique.com] (Retrieved March 9, 2008)]

In France, the song debuted at the bottom of the singles chart (#43) on August 30, 1986. It gained a fews places every week and reached #10 on October 25. The song managed to remain for 12 weeks in the top 20 and for 20 weeks on the chart."Libertine", French Singles Chart [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?key=29838&cat=s Lescharts.com] (Retrieved January 14, 2008)] The song was certified Silver disc in 1986 by the SNEP.Mylène Farmer's certifications [http://www.chartsinfrance.net/certifications/artiste-850.html Chartsinfrance.net] (Retrieved January 2, 2008)] It was thus the first Farmer's top ten hit, becoming a very popular song in France over the years and one of the ten best-selling singles of the singer.

Covers

Several artists covered the song including :
* Ludwig Von 88, in 1994. [Ludwig Von 88's version [http://www.sans-logique.com/mylene-farmer/discographie/reprises/reprise.php?reprise=ludwig-von-88-libertine Sans-logique.com] (Retrieved March 18, 2008)]
* Edwige Chandelier, one of the dancers on the Farmer's 1989 tour, in 1996, for the album "Les Plus Belles Chansons françaises - 1986". [Edwige Chandelier's version [http://www.sans-logique.com/mylene-farmer/discographie/reprises/reprise.php?reprise=edwige-chandelier-libertine Sans-logique.com] (Retrieved March 9, 2008)]
* Les Enfoirés, in 2000. The song was performed by Liane Foly, Karen Mulder, Axelle Red and Michèle Laroque and their version is available on the album "Enfoirés en 2000", released on February 28, 2000. ["Enfoirés en 2000" [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Liane+Foly%2C+Mich%E8le+Laroque%2C+Karen+Mulder+%26+Axelle+Red&titel=Libertine&cat=s Lescharts.com] (Retrieved March 9, 2008)]
* Kate Ryan, in 2003. Her version is the best known of all these covers (see below).
* Les Dindes Suprêmes, in 2007. [Les Dindes Suprêmes' version [http://www.sans-logique.com/mylene-farmer/discographie/reprises/reprise.php?reprise=les-supremes-dindes-libertine Sans-logique.com] (Retrieved March 18, 2008)]

Formats and track listings

; 7" single - First cover - FranceA-side :
# "Libertine" — 3:30B-side :
# "Greta" — 4:45

; 7" single - Second cover - FranceA-side :
# "Libertine" — 3:30B-side :
# "Greta" — 4:45

; 7" maxi - First cover - FranceA-side :
# "Libertine" — 3:30B-side :
# "Libertine" (remix) — 4:35
# "Greta" — 4:45

; 7" maxi - Remix club - FranceA-side :
# "Libertine" (remix special club) — 5:55B-side :
# "Libertine" (remix) — 4:35
# "Greta" — 4:45

; 7" maxi - Sountrack - FranceA-side :
# Duel — 2:20
# Thème — 3:22
# Libertinages — 1:35B-side :
# Marche funèbre — 3:14
# "Libertine" (instrumental) — 3:33

; 7" single - Promo - FranceA-side :
# "Libertine" (single version) — 3:30B-side :
# "Greta" — 4:45

; 7" maxi - Remix club - Promo - FranceA-side :
# "Libertine" (remix special club) — 5:55B-side :
# "Libertine" (remix) — 4:35
# "Greta" — 4:45

; Digital download
# "Libertine" (album version - "Cendres de Lune") — 3:49
# "Libertine" (album version - "Les Mots") — 3:30
# "Libertine" (1989 live version) — 12:00
# "Libertine" (1996 live version) — 5:40
# "Libertine" (carnal sins remix) — 7:00
# "Libertine" (Y-Front remix) — 4:02

; Cassette - Promo - FranceA-side :
# "Libertine" (single version) — 3:30B-side :
# "Libertine" (single version) — 3:30

; 7" single - Without cover - CanadaA-side :
# "Libertine" (single version) — 3:30B-side :
# "Greta" — 4:45

Versions

; Official versions

Kate Ryan cover version

Infobox Single
Name = Libertine


Artist = Kate Ryan
from Album = Different
Released = 2002
Format = CD single
CD maxi
12" maxi
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:13
Label = EMI
Writer = Laurent Boutonnat
Jean-Claude Déquéant
Producer = Phil Wilde
AJ Duncan
Reviews =
Last single = "Mon Cœur résiste encore" (2002)
This single = "Libertine"
(2002)
Next single = "Only If I"
(2004)

Formats and track listings

Credits

* Mastered by Paul van der Jonckheyd
* Mixed by Peter Bulkens
* Photography : Philippe Mathys
* Producers : AJ Duncan , Phil Wilde

Charts

References

External links

* [http://www.paroles.net/chanson/17452.1 "Libertine", lyrics]