un million

Pomme's song 'un million' delves into the emotional struggle of concealing one's true feelings and the societal pressure to maintain a facade of normalcy. The lyrics open with a cautionary note, urging someone to hide their emotions to avoid getting hurt. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which explores the internal conflict between the natural urge to express pain and the external demand to appear composed. The metaphor of tears being 'bigger than the city' poignantly illustrates the overwhelming nature of suppressed emotions.

The recurring question, 'Combien de fois j'ai retenu mes larmes?' (How many times have I held back my tears?), underscores the repetitive and exhausting effort of emotional restraint. Pomme quantifies this effort with hyperbolic measures—'au moins mille, au moins un million' (at least a thousand, at least a million)—emphasizing the vastness of her emotional burden. The imagery of a 'piscine, un lac, une saison de larmes' (a pool, a lake, a season of tears) further amplifies the sense of an unending reservoir of unexpressed sorrow.

The song also touches on the learned behavior of emotional suppression, as Pomme sings about practicing in front of a mirror to ensure her eyes never betray her 'pluvieux' (rainy) heart. This practice is a poignant commentary on the societal expectation to hide one's vulnerabilities. The final verses offer a glimmer of hope, suggesting that if we could swim through these tears and confront our feelings, we might find a way to communicate and connect more authentically. The closing line, 'N'aie pas peur de toucher le fond' (Don't be afraid to touch the bottom), encourages embracing one's deepest emotions as a path to healing.