L'absinthe

Barbara's song 'L'absinthe' is a poignant exploration of love, art, and melancholy, interwoven with references to the famous French poets Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud. The song opens with a vivid image of the poets drinking absinthe as if it were water, suggesting their deep immersion in the bohemian lifestyle and the intoxicating effects of their creative pursuits. The mention of Verlaine and Rimbaud sets a high bar for poetic expression, yet the singer finds a simple 'I love you' from her lover to be more beautiful than any poem by these literary giants.

The lyrics delve into the emotional landscape of love, comparing it to the haunting beauty of a song heard during a rainy day. The recurring theme of 'the song of love' evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing, as the singer yearns to hear it 'again and again.' This repetition underscores the intoxicating and sometimes painful nature of love, much like the effects of absinthe. The song also touches on the idea of love as a form of escapism, a way to drown out the sorrows and grays of life, much like the poets used absinthe to fuel their creativity and numb their pain.

As the song progresses, the imagery becomes more surreal and dreamlike, with references to 'golden alcohols' that intoxicate the heart and 'flowers climbing the velvet curtains.' These metaphors create a vivid picture of the singer's emotional state, blending the lines between reality and fantasy. The song concludes with a return to the initial theme, as the singer expresses a desire to be consumed by love, even if it leads to their demise. The final lines, 'I love you, I love you, oh my God, how beautiful it is, much more beautiful than a poem by Verlaine or Rimbaud,' encapsulate the song's central message: the profound and often overwhelming beauty of love.