PORNO…GRAPHIQUE

How about we’ll have a little game to play starting now? It’s a new month, it’s a new hope for a new Tournee, and new idea for me.

What if Mylene choses 1 song from each of her previous studio albums to include into her NEVERMORE tournee, which song would you want the most to be chosen? Please vote! Comment below! To continue the yesterday provocative topic of Eaunanisme

Porno Graphique is a number 6 song from the sixth album Avant que l’ombre… (2005).

For this text, Mylène could almost be ‘self-influenced’. She says: “I say that there is no chic porn” and she already said it, precisely, in an interview granted to “Paris Match” on December 7, 2001: “We would still have to define what ‘we call chic porn. (…) To my knowledge, pornography has never been chic.” She then responded to those who qualified the photos of Ellen Von Unwerth from the booklet of the best of Les Mots of a “chic porn” style.

For the entire interview and more photos from the Ellen Von Unwerth photoshoots – click HERE

Photographer : Ellen Von Unwerth. 2001 Photo session for the best of Les mots album

Pierre Reverdy probably inspired Mylène. In the poem Allégresse , from the collection La lucarne ovale (1916), we can read the line: “We do not know where the winds are born” when Mylène for her part sings: “I want to know where the wind is born“.

Music composed and produced by Laurent Boutonnat. Programming, keyboards and arrangements are also Laurent Boutonnat.

As far as my two cents, I think Mylene as expected packed a lot into the text. It is a pain, disappointments as well as a pure reflections. She is sarcastic and playful, and very strong in her delivery. It is illustrated very well during her life performance in 2006 (only one!) for this song.

Mon cœur est rempli,
Mais mon corps s'ennuie

My heart is full
But my body is bored

Isn’t it the pun on porn? Its when the body is on but heart is not a part of it at all. She reverses in teh lyrics. How clever! No?

Let’s move on…”dés pipes” (loaded dice) – she refers to it as a deliberate / intentional game of cheating or better say being dishonest and disingenuous – everything Mylene deeply despise.

For those who are unaware what the loaded dice is it’s a weighted, cheat, or crooked die is one that has been tampered with so that it will land with a specific side facing upwards more or less often than a fair die would. There are several methods for creating loaded dice, including rounded faces, off-square faces, and weights.

So the million dollar question is which exactly game she is referring exactly? Well, you decide! I think it is a broad term just like in the C’est dans l’air.

The next block of poetry takes you into the different direction and has a lot packed into it:

Je veux savoir où naît le vent
J'ai l'âme inerte en même temps
Il y a de l'uniformité partout
De la pensée en boîte et c'est bien tout!

I want to know where the wind is born
I have an inert soul at the same time
There is uniformity everywhere
Of thinking in a box and that's in everything

The fist line is poetic and as noted above, Reverdy inspired. It is a definition of her romantic and untamed nature within the curious mind mindset. Then then she defines her soul as somewhat inert and inactive as far as being able to change things and to turn against the mainstream? And that where she clearly underestimates it. She is a revolutionary. She is a wake-up call and her vision does change the masses. But again, it is her perception and very often we go on in life not yruly knowing how strong we ar and what influence we have over others.

The next verdict is so true, no arguing against it: There is uniformity everywhere Of thinking in a box… And yes indeed. And its my conclusion as well. I have been intensely aware of it for a long time now and it is frustrating to see how the brains are washed and controlled to create a “uniformed” patterns of thinking in so many communities, countries, societies… sad! Thinking outside the box is such a basic human prerogative. And once deprived of it, a human becomes a robotic creature easily programmed and manipulated by the outside control center. Dangerous situation as we have observed it playing out time after time. So, I am with you, Mylene! It sucks!

She then successfully plays with the words and their alliterations (mon céans. L’océan.)

Je t'ai montré mon arrière-train
Mon céans, mon céans, mon céans. L'océan.

I showed you my backside
My “here”, my “here”, my “here”. The ocean.

Its hard to pinpoint exact meaning, especially with my limited knowledge of French but it is I think something to do with the “exposure” and what is revealed vs what remains hidden or better say beyond what eye meet…Boy, its hard interpreting Mylene. Its like explaining what the sea breeze feels like on your cheeks or what the baby smell feels like, how to explain the tingling floating sensation in your body and around it after the intense orgasm…it’s an ocean of sensuality…try to bottle it all into the words and then unbottle them all to explain them…God knows, it’s an impossible task!

Et quand ma langue se délie...
C'est l'éloquence de mes silences

And when my tongue loosens ...
It's the eloquence of my silences

Finally, she is talking! I am saying it all along: her unspoken so often speaks louder than her words. And then we get to the pornographic part. You draw your own conclusion as I did draw mine already 😊She , perhaps, offers all all a different kind of “porn” – its a verbal picture that teases you better than any visuals. No wonder they say the biggest sexual organ human have is a brain.

 Là, sur ton orifice ami...
 Je m'immisce dans ta pénombre,
 Et, là, je fais le tour du monde.

 There, on your friend's hole ...
 I step into your twilight,
 And, there, I go around the world.

Here is where she makes it pretty clear as far as he opinion on the “chic porn”…well I suppose we call it “soft porn” or “lorne” and some of them are better than others. I have seen the ones that have some kind of a “story” and gets you built up to the esthetical and erotic highs along with a pure turn-on, others are just a body action designed to evoke exact that. Either way I am very understanding of its purpose and impose no judgment.

There is a place and time for everything. Including a good porn. If she is talking about the mis-labeling of her Les mots photoshoot, I’s say who cares? They always bark at everything she does. Isn’t it the name of the game? 😊 I love her photos and I have noticed that every photograph sees her from the different point of view and show her in the different light. To me she always a beauty, sensuality, vulnerability and high standards. Call it all you want, the essence remains. As Shakespeare would say “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet…”

I have no douts she had seen “pigs” in every sense and in every blanket imaginable. And her heart does remain open and in teh chopping block even after all those years and under the falls impression that “Mylène s’en fout”

Je dis qu'il n'y a pas d'porno chic
Mais bien que des porcs au sens strict
Primo, deuxio, tertio, c'est le chaos
J'ai bien le cœur sur le bord du billot

I say there is no chic porn
But although pigs in the strict sense
First, second, third, it's chaos
I have my heart on the edge of the chopping block

One of my favorite part is this one (especially performed live) The first line does hint to the song she did with Khaled La poupée qui fait non:

However, I how see it she is saying, it all depends on teh “doll” and the situation: sometimes it can be “yes” and sometimes can be really “no”. Don’t put it all into one bucket…it is case by case distinction. I am glad she reminds it to everyone!

The next lines I think is about the misconception (and often used in porn movies) when a woman says “No” it really means “yes” (remember her pun of it in the Oui mais… Non song?)

Again, she uses a reversal technique to underline the nonsense of the original statement.

So “Façon, je dis non, je dis non” (The way I say no I say no). She means when she says no. And she sais “No!” with a lot of passion and fury if you please. During her live performance especially. l love it. Please don’t treat woman as they are sex toys only and always mean “yes” even they say “no”. We, woman, have to say “no” a lot and especially with the latest “me too” movement when its finally been heard that woman’s “no” must be respected! Maybe that’s where the “porno graphic” comes as title choice? Comment your thoughts on the matter below – would love to hear your opinion.

As far as the whole melody and the rhythms, it’s cool, the beginning a bit reminiscent of the Alice with the daunting low tones and dissonant background themes to create a diabolic effect, even a sounds of the evil laugh (or the crows croaks?) at the first cords and throughout…Overall it’s very “modern” sounding piece with high-techy yet every instrumental arrangement. Something different from Laurent in this one. And I do like it a lot!

She is practically declaring her freedom from all the loaded dice games, pigs with lipstick and other mind games she is liberating herself from by saying “No!” once and for all!

Les poupées qui disent "oui ou non".
Qu'on écu de la même..
Façon, je dis non, je dis non,
Je dis non, je dis non,
Je dis non!
Je dis non!

The dolls that say "yes or no".
That one shields the same …
The way I say no I say no
I say no, I say no
I say no!
I say no!

The punch line is a powerful it can get:

Plus l'esprit est "libre", est "libre", est "libre"...

The more the mind is "free", is "free", is "free" ...

You know, in Russian slang form of the word pornography “pornuha” (порнуха) is used for describing something trashy and of a bad quality or a taste. I wonder, if its the intent for the title. 🙂

The repetitive “church bells” in the back is a loud and clear wake up call! What an incredible masterpiece this song! By the way, what is she saying in the very end? I can’t make out…please comment and let me know

Reviews

“Her provocative side is still not completely erased. If she jumps to the ears on the unconvincing Fuck them all, chosen as the first single, we find her with more happiness in two mischievously erotic titles (QI, Porno Graphique). ” (Ouest France – 04/12/2005)

“We will leave to the usual four-way haircuts who want to “explain” Mylène Farmer the care of finding double or triple meaning and psychoanalytic references to texts. The need for rhyme and play with the words – a little easy on QI and Porno Graphic, only weaknesses of the disc – is often the most satisfactory of the explanations. The rest is for the singer’s privacy it has nothing to do here. (Le Monde – April xx,2005)

“Casually, Mylène has changed. She who until then danced so beautifully on the razor’s edge of a sulfurous discomfort seems to have finally reached maturity. A maturity which translates into an aspiration to happiness (I am waiting, All these fights) and a little side giving lessons (Porno Graphic) rather surprising. As if the frail diva had made peace with her inner demons, stopping to fight them to, finally, live with.” (Rolling Stone – April 2005)

“Likes to catch the ear. But the fans will love Porno Graphic ” (Here – xx April 2005)

“Laurent Boutonnat the accomplice always took care of the music: we find beautiful ballads (Before the shadow …, I’ll wait) and a catchy title, Porno Graphic, with an electro sound and a jerky rhythm. ” (Télé 2 Weeks – 25/04/2005)

“The sulfurous redhead remains faithful to her favorite themes: sex, religion and death, sung on dark ballads with electronic rhythms (QI, Porno Graphic). ” (Madame Figaro – 04/29/2005)

Avant que l’ombre … at Bercy in 2006

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Porno Graphic was sung on all the dates of the show Avant que l’ombre … at Bercy in 2006. Stage arrangements: Yvan Cassar and choreography: Mylène Farmer.

If you’d like to see an entire Avant que l’ombre concert: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1b5411V7pF/?spm_id_from=trigger_reload

The scene images created by Alain Escalle.

“I immediately wanted something violent on this song. The song is already quite weird and experimental, so I wanted to find this idea at the level of the image, without falling into the porn side… And then the blood, it’s beautiful and graphic!” (” IAO “- May / June 2006)

It’s interesting how this “violent” notion has later evolved into a beautiful background film for the Point de Suture during Tournee # 5 three years later in 2009

Check it out if you missed it – it’s a one-of-a-kind performance – probably, one of my favorites of all times.

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remixes

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Pretty good remix: https://soundcloud.com/ph-nom-ne2/porno-graphique-parisian-blue

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MY POETRY INSPIRED BY THE SONG

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Pleasure…
So simple
As falling water all a way
To my toes from my shoulders
Pleasure…
So gentle
As bubbles multiplying all over my body
So soapy, so weightless, so soft
Pleasure…
So real
As a touch of a darning stream
Between the open petals
Slightly swollen and shamelessly trembling
Pleasure…
So growing
Out of casual strokes
Out of regular rhythms
To the point of pulsation
To the point of the scream
From the stream to the stream
Pleasure…
Too easy
As I am going to bed on my own
As I am dreaming of you all alone…

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lyrics with translation

Mon cœur est rempli,
Mais mon corps s'ennuie
Des jeux délibérés avec un dé,
Des dés pipés, des dés pipés, des dés pipés.

Je veux savoir où naît le vent
J'ai l'âme inerte en même temps
Il y a de l'uniformité partout
De la pensée en boîte et c'est bien tout!

Mon cœur est rempli,
Mais mon corps s'ennuie
Je t'ai montré mon arrière-train
Mon céans, mon céans, mon céans. L'océan.

Et quand ma langue se délie...
C'est l'éloquence de mes silences
Là, sur ton orifice ami...
Je m'immisce dans ta pénombre,
Et, là, je fais le tour du monde.

Mon cœur est rempli,
Mais mon corps s'ennuie
Les poupées qui disent "oui ou non".

Qu'on écu de la même...
Façon, je dis non, je dis non,
Je dis non, je dis non,
Je dis non!
Je dis non!

Mon cœur est rempli,
Mais mon corps s'ennuie
Des jeux délibérés avec un dé,
Des dés pipés, des dés pipés, des dés pipés.

Je dis qu'il n'y a pas d'porno chic
Mais bien que des porcs au sens strict
Primo, deuxio, tertio, c'est le chaos
J'ai bien le cœur sur le bord du billot

Mon corps se rempli
Mais mon cœur aussi
Et plus le corps est entravé
Plus l'esprit est "libre",est "libre",
est "libre",est "libre",est "libre", délivré

Mon cœur est rempli,
Mais mon corps s'ennuie
Des jeux délibérés avec un dé,
Des dés pipés, des dés pipés, des dés pipés

Mon cœur est rempli
Mais mon cœur s'ennuie
Et plus le corps est entravé
Plus l'esprit est "libre", est "libre", est "libre"...

My heart is full
But my body is bored
Deliberate games with a dice,
Loaded dice, loaded dice, loaded dice.

I want to know where the wind is born
I have an inert soul at the same time
There is uniformity everywhere
Thought in a box and that's it!

My heart is full
But my body is bored
I showed you my backside
My “here”, my “here”, my “here”. The ocean.

And when my tongue loosens ...
It's the eloquence of my silences
There, on your friend's hole ...
I step into your twilight,

And, there, I go around the world.

My heart is full
But my body is bored
The dolls that say "yes or no".

That one shields the same ...
Way I say no I say no
I say no, I say no
I say no!
I say no!

My heart is full
But my body is bored
Deliberate games with a dice,
Loaded dice, loaded dice, loaded dice.

I say there is no chic porn
But although pigs in the strict sense
First, second, third, it's chaos
I have my heart on the edge of the chopping block

My body is filling up
But my heart too
And the more the body is shackled
The more the mind is "free", the more "free" it is,
is "free", is "free", is "free", issued


My heart is full
But my body is bored
Deliberate games with a dice,
Loaded dice, loaded dice, loaded dice

My heart is full
But my heart is bored
And the more the body is shackled
The more the mind is "free", is "free", is "free" ...