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Parler tout bas

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Parler tout bas (Cover)
Parler tout bas

Language

French

B-Side

"Parler tout bas" (instrumental)"

Released

24 April 2001

Recorded

2000

Studio

Studio Guillaume Tell (Suresnes)

Genre

French pop, ballad

Length

4:09

Label

Universal Music Group

Polydor Records

Producer(s)

Mylène Farmer

Laurent Boutonnat

"Parler tout bas" (English: "Speak Softly") is a song by French pop singer Alizée, released on 24 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.

Background[]

In 1999, Alizée appeared on the M6 channel's talent show Graines de star.[1][2] Initially she intended to sign up for the program's dance contest, but that category was reserved for groups only.[3] 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).[4][5][6] She went on to win the Meilleure Graine award for most promising young singing star of tomorrow.[5][7] 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.[8][9] They approached Alizée, and she was selected after studio auditions.[5][10]

In early May 2000, French media outlets revealed that singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer and composer Laurent Boutonnat were launching a new musical project with a previously unknown teenager named Alizée Jacotey, along the title headline of "Leur bébé s'appelle Alizée".[11] The announcement was notably made in the 8 May 2000 issue of Voici magazine, which referred to her as the duo’s “new protégée.”[12] Alizée had been selected following her participation in the talent show Graines de Star, where she caught the attention of Farmer and Boutonnat.[12]

Composition[]

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,[13] 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.[14] The song is a pop ballad with strong dream pop and chanson influences.[15]

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.[16] 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).[17][18]

Commercial performance[]

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,[19] and secured the No. 59 position on the year-end chart for 2001.[20] In Belgium (Wallonia), it reached No. 15 on the Ultratop 50 chart,[21] 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.[22]

Critical reception[]

In a review from the website Musique Krinein, critic Filipe describes Gourmandises as an album with a light and appealing tone, highlighting "Parler tout bas" as one of its most effective tracks.[23] He notes that the song’s more relaxed atmosphere offers a welcome contrast to the more energetic singles, contributing to the album’s overall balance.[23] The review praises the production by Laurent Boutonnat and the cohesive sound shaped by his collaboration with Mylène Farmer, while also pointing out that the album avoids falling into excessive seriousness.[23]

Music video[]

The video for the song features Alizée in an outdoors bedroom with toys and later, in a forest.[24] 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.[24]

Personnel[]

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

Formats and track listings[]

CD single[26]
  1. "Parler tout bas" – 4:35
  2. "Parler tout bas" (instrumental)" – 4:35
Digital download
  1. "Parler tout bas" – 4:35

Charts[]

Certifications and sales[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Template:Cite webFiaschetti, 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. ↑ Template:Cite webBinet, Noelle (2023-05-11). "Alizée : sa fille Annily sosie d'Eva Longoria ? La photo qui sème le doute !". Public (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  3. ↑ Template:Cite websupportweb (2024-10-26). "Gulli passe en revue « Les talents cultes » de « Graines de Star »". Syma News : votre magazine d’actualité. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  4. ↑ Template:Cite webPureBreak (2017-10-11). "Alizée arrête la chanson : "Je n'ai plus envie de faire d'album"". www.purebreak.com. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Template:Cite AV mediarobert rhein (2019-06-28). Alizée - Moi...Lolita Graines de Star 09-29-2000. Retrieved 2025-04-13 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ Template:Cite web"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.
  7. ↑ Template:Cite web"Alizée ➤ Biographie : naissance, parcours, famille… 📔". Chérie FM.fr (in French). 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  8. ↑ Template:Cite web"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.
  9. ↑ Template:Cite webRaoelina, Kalina (2022-09-22). "Alizée, 38 ans, a changé de carrière pour vivre en Corse dans une maison avec piscine, pense à un autre enfant & a adopté un chien qui a failli mourir". amomama.fr (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-03.
  10. ↑ Template:Cite web"Alizee _ AcademiaLab". academia-lab.com. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
  11. ↑ Template:Cite web"L'histoire du tube « Moi… Lolita » d'Alizée – Nostalgie 2000's" (in French). Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Template:Cite web""Moi... Lolita" : le tube farmérien d'Alizée a déjà 25 ans !". tetu.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  13. ↑ Template:Cite web"Studio Guillaume Tell". www.guillaumetell.com. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  14. ↑ Template:Cite web"Alizée - Parler tout bas (English translation)". lyricstranslate.com. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  15. ↑ Template:Cite web"Release "Parler tout bas" by Alizée - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  16. ↑ Template:CitationAlizée - Parler Tout Bas (in French), 2001, retrieved 2025-04-13
  17. ↑ Template:CitationAlizee - Parler Tout Bas, chords, lyrics, tabs, video, 2022-03-29, retrieved 2025-04-13
  18. ↑ Template:Cite web"BPM and key for Parler tout bas by Alizée | Tempo for Parler tout bas". SongBPM. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  19. ↑ Template:Cite webHung, Steffen. "lescharts.com - Alizée - Parler tout bas". lescharts.com. Archived from the original on 2024-12-01. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  20. ↑ Template:Cite web"lescharts.com - Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  21. ↑ Template:Cite web"ultratop.fr Parler tout bas". ultratop.fr. 2000. Retrieved 18 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ↑ Template:Cite web"Les certifications". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 2025-05-18.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Template:Cite web"Alizée - Gourmandises". krinein.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Template:CitationAlizée: Parler tout bas (Musical), 2001-04-25, retrieved 2025-04-13
  25. ↑ Template:Cite web"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.
  26. ↑ Template:Cite web"Release "Parler tout bas" by Alizée - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2025-06-27.
  27. ↑ https://www.ultratop.be/fr///song/1981/Alizee-Parler-tout-bas
  28. ↑ https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Aliz%E9e&titel=Parler+tout+bas&cat=s
  29. ↑ http://spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Aliz%E9e&titel=Moi%2E%2E%2E+Lolita&cat=s
  30. ↑ https://lescharts.com/weekchart.asp?year=2001&date=20010825&cat=s
  31. ↑ https://snepmusique.com/les-certifications/?categorie=Tout&interprete=Alizee&titre=Parler+tout+bas
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