Répondez-moi

Francis Cabrel's song "Répondez-moi" is a poignant reflection on the alienation and disconnection experienced in modern urban life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a sterile, lifeless environment, symbolized by a house without a balcony or roof, devoid of bees, birds, and nature. This setting serves as a metaphor for the emotional and spiritual barrenness that the narrator feels, highlighting the absence of genuine human connection and the natural world.

The narrator's plea for a response, "Répondez-moi," underscores a deep yearning for communication and understanding. He describes leaving messages on the walls of a parking garage, hoping someone will hear and respond. This act symbolizes a desperate attempt to break through the isolation and reach out to others. The recurring imagery of cold, glass towers and the relentless noise of passing trucks further emphasizes the harsh, unfeeling nature of the urban landscape, contrasting sharply with the narrator's dreams of starry fields and daffodil necklaces.

Cabrel also critiques the superficiality and artificiality of modern life. He describes people rushing through their routines, disconnected from the natural world and each other. The image of dogs with icy eyes, carried on cushions and kissed by their owners, highlights the misplaced affections and the barriers to genuine human touch, which now require passwords. The song's melancholic tone is deepened by the mention of a fairy searching for her lost magic wand and a stream trapped in a plastic bottle, symbolizing the loss of wonder and the degradation of nature. Ultimately, the narrator's isolation is complete, as he remains alone in his lifeless house, yearning for a connection that seems increasingly out of reach.