Un Jour Ou L’autre

Song Meaning

Mylène Farmer's "What is Love" isn't asking a Haddaway-esque question for a dancefloor. Instead, it's a philosophical inquiry delivered with her signature blend of ethereal vocals and existential weight. The song grapples with love as a defiant act against the vast indifference of the universe, set against a backdrop of fading memories and the fragility of human existence. The opening lines, "Tout s'efface un point dans l'univers / Dans des eaux solitaires," immediately establish a sense of cosmic insignificance, where everything eventually dissolves into nothingness. Love, then, becomes a desperate anchor, a way to reclaim meaning in the face of oblivion. The pre-chorus sections highlight a yearning for connection and a shared experience of time, tinged with a sense of impending doom. Phrases like "Pluie de fous" and "Consciences endormies" paint a picture of a world sleepwalking towards its own destruction, further emphasizing the urgency of finding solace in love. The lyrics hint at an internal struggle, a battle against doubt and despair, where even faith ("Si c'est au nom du Père") can be tainted by "ces noirs mélanges." This complexity elevates the song beyond a simple declaration of love; it's an exploration of love's potential to redeem and to offer hope amidst chaos. The refrain serves as the emotional core of the song, presenting love as a series of paradoxical actions: finding a star, falling asleep together, capsizing and taking on water, and soaring to mend the sky. These contrasting images suggest that love is not a static state but a dynamic process of embracing both joy and sorrow, vulnerability and strength. The repetition of "Aimer" (to love) acts as a mantra, a reminder of the enduring power of human connection even when everything else is crumbling. In essence, "What is Love" proposes that love is not a simple answer, but a continuous striving for meaning in a world defined by loss and uncertainty.