Monsieur Et Madame
Édith Piaf
The Secret Dreams of Monsieur and Madame
Édith Piaf's song "Monsieur Et Madame" delves into the private lives and hidden desires of a married couple who have just returned from a trip celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary. The song paints a vivid picture of their nightly routine, with Monsieur unpacking his pajamas and Madame applying cream to her face. This mundane scene quickly gives way to a more profound exploration of their inner worlds as they lie in bed together, yet miles apart in their thoughts and dreams.
Monsieur, though physically present, is mentally transported to a different place, dreaming of a girl with blue eyes, a sensual mouth, and a beautiful body. His longing is palpable as he sighs unhappily, unable to sleep. Similarly, Madame is also lost in her own reverie, dreaming of a boy with blue eyes, a sensual mouth, and strong, beautiful hands. Both are caught in a web of unfulfilled desires and fantasies, yearning for something or someone beyond their current reality.
Despite their secret dreams, the couple finds solace in each other's arms. They whisper "I love you" and share a moment of connection, creating a dream together that brings them happiness. The song concludes with a poignant observation about the curious nature of some marriages, where love and longing coexist in a delicate balance. Piaf's evocative lyrics and emotive delivery capture the complexity of human relationships, where the mundane and the extraordinary, the real and the imagined, intertwine in the lives of Monsieur and Madame.