C'Est La Ouate

The song 'C'Est La Ouate' by Caroline Loeb, a French singer and actress, became a hit in the 1980s with its catchy tune and intriguing lyrics. The song's title, which translates to 'It's the Wadding' in English, uses the metaphor of 'ouate' (wadding or padding) to describe a woman's preference for a comfortable, carefree lifestyle. The lyrics paint a picture of a woman who is described as lazy ('paresseuse') and who seems to be content with her indolent way of life.

The repeated lines 'De toutes les matières, c'est la ouate qu'elle préfère' suggest that of all things in life, she chooses ease and comfort, symbolized by the softness of wadding. The woman's passive and pensive nature is highlighted, and her choice to wear 'négligé de soie' (silk negligee) reinforces the theme of indulging in luxury and comfort without concern for the outside world. The song's character appears to reject societal expectations, such as working hard ('Pas bosseuse') and caring about others' opinions, instead embracing a hedonistic and self-indulgent existence.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of simplicity and minimalism in communication, as the woman 'déchire les pages de tous les dictionnaires' (tears out the pages of all dictionaries) and has only a few words in her vocabulary, including 'amour' (love) and 'somnifères' (sleeping pills). This could be interpreted as a critique of overcomplication in life and a call to focus on the essentials that bring pleasure and relaxation. 'C'Est La Ouate' encapsulates a certain joie de vivre, with a hint of satire about the pursuit of an easy life.