Parler tout bas

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"Parler tout bas"
Single by Alizée
from the album Gourmandises
LanguageFrench
English title"Speak Softly"
Released14 April 2001
Recorded2000
StudioStudio Guillaume Tell (Suresnes)
Genre
Length4:09
LabelUniversal, Polydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Alizée singles chronology
"L'Alizé"
(2000) 		"Parler tout bas"
(2001) 		"Gourmandises"
(2001)
Music video
"Alizée - Parler tout bas (Clip Officiel HD)" on YouTube

"Parler tout bas" (English: "Speak Softly") is a song by French pop singer Alizée, released on 14 April 2001 as the third single from her debut studio album, Gourmandises (2000), through the label Polydor and Universal. The song was written and produced by Mylene Farmer and Laurent Boutonnat. Lyrically, it delves into the introspective journey of adolescence, capturing the delicate transition from childhood innocence to the complexities of young adulthood. The lyrics are rich with poetic imagery, such as "On rainy days, my toys are alive," symbolizing a lingering connection to childhood amidst the onset of maturity. It featured an instrumental rendition of the song in addition to Alizée's solo rendering.

Upon release, the single received moderate success, compared to previous singles such as "Moi... Lolita" or "L'Alizé". In France, the song peaked at #12 on the SNEP Singles Chart and secured the #59 position on the year-end chart for 2001 . In Belgium (Wallonia), it reached #15 on the Ultratop 50 chart, and in Taiwan, it climbed to #9 on the Hit FM Top 100 . The single was certified gold in France, with sales surpassing 144,000 copies. While it didn't replicate the massive success of her debut single "Moi... Lolita," "Parler tout bas" reinforced Alizée's presence in the early 2000s French pop scene. The song's introspective lyrics and emotive melody resonated with audiences, further establishing her as a prominent figure in Francophone pop music.

The music video for Parler tout bas takes a much more introspective and melancholic tone compared to Alizée’s earlier works, reflecting the deeper emotional layers of the song. Set in a shadowy, dreamlike bedroom and forest setting, the video begins with Alizée lying alone in bed, symbolizing vulnerability and the internal struggle of growing up. As the visuals unfold, she is seen wandering through a surreal, dimly lit forest, clutching a teddy bear—a poignant representation of clinging to childhood innocence amidst the emotional confusion of adolescence. The lighting, soft focus, and gentle transitions create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that complements the subdued, reflective nature of the song. Alizée’s expressions remain thoughtful and subdued throughout, enhancing the lyrical theme of speaking softly, holding back, and processing quiet emotional turmoil.

Background

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In 1999, Alizée appeared on the M6 channel's talent show Graines de star.[1] Initially she intended to sign up for the program's dance contest, but that category was reserved for groups only.[2] Alizée therefore joined the singing category instead, performing the song "Waiting for Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez and "Ma Prière" (a single released by Axelle Red in 1997).[3][4][5] She went on to win the Meilleure Graine award for most promising young singing star of tomorrow.[4][6] Her winning performance was seen by Mylène Farmer and Laurent Boutonnat, who were looking for a young, fresh voice to partake in their new project.[4][7] They approached Alizée, and she was selected after studio auditions.[4] Recording for the debut album began in mid-2000.[8]

Composition

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The song was crafted by the renowned French duo Mylène Farmer (lyrics) and Laurent Boutonnat (composition and production), who were also behind her earlier two hits. The song was recorded in 2000 at the Studio Guillaume Tell in Suresnes, France,[9] and released on 14 April 2001 as the third single from her debut album, Gourmandises. "Parler tout bas" ("Speak Softly") is a tender and introspective song about the transition from childhood to adulthood. The lyrics express a quiet longing for innocence and a fear of growing up too quickly.[10] The song is a pop ballad with strong dream pop and chanson influences.[11]

Musically, it blends French pop with elements of ballad, featuring a soft piano intro, subtle orchestration, and a gentle rhythm that complements Alizée's delicate vocal delivery.[12] The production is characterized by its minimalist arrangement, allowing the emotional depth of the lyrics to resonate with listeners. The song is composed in D major, with 120 beats per minute (BPM).[13][14]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Upon release, the single did moderately well. The song achieved moderate commercial success across two Europe countries, and even entered an international chart. In France, it peaked at No. 12 on the French Singles Chart,[15] and secured the No. 59 position on the year-end chart for 2001.[16] In Belgium (Wallonia), it reached No. 15 on the Ultratop 50 chart,[17] and in Taiwan, it climbed to No. 9 on the Hit FM Top 100. The single was certified gold in France, with sales surpassing 200,000 copies.[18]

Music video

[edit]

The video for the song features Alizée in an outdoors bedroom with toys and later, in a forest.[19] The subject of the video seems to be the little teddy bear in her arms. Her act of burying the teddy bear (later in the video, while in the forest) could be a sign of leaving childlike innocence behind.[19]

Personnel

[edit]
  • Design – Henry Neu
  • Lyrics By [Paroles] – Mylène Farmer
  • Music By [Musique] – Laurent Boutonnat
  • Photography By [Photos] – Philippe Bouley
  • Vocals – Alizee

Track listings

[edit]
CD single Polydor
  1. "Parler tout bas" – 4:35
  2. "Parler tout bas" (instrumental)" – 4:35
Digital download
  1. "Parler tout bas" – 4:35

Charts and sales

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ Fiaschetti, Romain (2023-03-25). "Alizée émouvante face à Nikos Aliagas : harcèlement scolaire, Mylène Farmer... la chanteuse de 38 ans déballe tout dans "50' Inside"". Public (in French). Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  2. ^ supportweb (2024-10-26). "Gulli passe en revue « Les talents cultes » de « Graines de Star »". Syma News : votre magazine d’actualité. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  3. ^ PureBreak (2017-10-11). "Alizée arrête la chanson : "Je n'ai plus envie de faire d'album"". www.purebreak.com. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  4. ^ a b c d robert rhein (2019-06-28). Alizée - Moi...Lolita Graines de Star 09-29-2000. Retrieved 2025-04-13 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ "On a classé (objectivement) les plus grandes stars sorties de Graines de star, et pourtant ça commençait mal". konbini.com. 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  6. ^ "Alizée ➤ Biographie : naissance, parcours, famille… 📔". Chérie FM.fr (in French). 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  7. ^ "Ils deviennent quoi ? Le retour d'Alizée sur scène, 25 ans après la sortie de son tube 'Moi... Lolita' - RTBF Actus". RTBF (in French). Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  8. ^ "Release "Gourmandises" by Alizée - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  9. ^ "Studio Guillaume Tell". www.guillaumetell.com. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  10. ^ "Alizée - Parler tout bas (English translation)". lyricstranslate.com. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  11. ^ "Release "Parler tout bas" by Alizée - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  12. ^ Alizée - Parler Tout Bas (in French), 2001, retrieved 2025-04-13
  13. ^ Alizee - Parler Tout Bas, chords, lyrics, tabs, video, 2022-03-29, retrieved 2025-04-13
  14. ^ "BPM and key for Parler tout bas by Alizée | Tempo for Parler tout bas". SongBPM. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  15. ^ Hung, Steffen. "lescharts.com - Alizée - Parler tout bas". lescharts.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  16. ^ "lescharts.com - Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  17. ^ "ultratop.fr Parler tout bas". ultratop.fr. 2000. Retrieved 18 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "Les certifications". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  19. ^ a b c Alizée: Parler tout bas (Musical), 2001-04-25, retrieved 2025-04-13
  20. ^ "J'AI ESSAYÉ DE VIVRE… -Mylene Farmer, Mylene Farmer news, Mylene Farmer songs, Mylene Farmer videos, Mylene Farmer photos,Милен Фармер International Mylène Farmer Fan Book". International Mylène Farmer Fan Book. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  21. ^ "Parler tout bas", French SNEP Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved December 13, 2007)
  22. ^ Steffen Hung. "Alizée – Moi... Lolita". spanishcharts.com. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  23. ^ 2001 French SNEP Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived April 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved December 13, 2007)
  24. ^ "French single certifications – Alizee – Parler tout bas" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 5 August 2022.