Rue de l’abricot

Song Meaning

France Gall's "As You Want" paints a vivid, almost tactile portrait of longing and contrasting realities. The song's core revolves around a 'pauvre garçon triste' – a poor, sad boy – trapped by urban life, juxtaposed against the vibrant, almost Edenic image of the narrator. This contrast isn't just aesthetic; it speaks to a deeper psychological chasm between experience and potential. The boy, described as a 'gardener of winter' and a 'greenhouse plant,' embodies emotional barrenness, cut off from the vital energy he craves. He's a figure of yearning, visually consuming the narrator ('Tu me dévores de l'oeil'), desperate for the life force she seems to effortlessly possess. His heart is empty, and he weeps for the sun. He is desperate for connection. The narrator, in turn, is described as having a 'peaches and cream' complexion, a 'cherry' mouth, and the taste of 'grapes,' she’s associated with fresh water and clementine warmth. The repeated address to 'toi' emphasizes the distance, a kind of desperate reaching across a divide. He sees her as living 'in a garden,' specifically '3 rue de l'abricot' – a highly symbolic address. The apricot, with its velvety skin and sweet, slightly tart flesh, represents a sensual promise, a taste of the life he lacks. The repetition of the street name drives home the specificity of his desire. It's not just love he wants, but a particular kind of sensory experience, a tangible escape from his 'sterile fig tree' existence. The song subtly explores the power dynamics inherent in desire. The boy's vulnerability is laid bare, while the narrator holds the key to his potential redemption. The final verses offer a glimmer of hope, suggesting a possibility of shared beauty and lasting love within his garden. But the inherent tension remains: can he truly integrate into her world, or will he always remain the 'sad boy,' forever yearning for something just out of reach? The question hangs in the air, making "As You Want" more than just a love song; it's a meditation on longing, the search for fulfillment, and the seductive power of perceived paradise.