Je bois

Boris Vian's song 'Je bois' is a poignant exploration of existential despair and the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism. The lyrics reveal a narrator who drinks 'systématiquement' (systematically) to escape various aspects of his life, including the friends of his wife, his troubles, and the passage of time. The repetitive nature of his drinking underscores a sense of routine and inevitability, suggesting that alcohol has become an integral part of his daily existence, not for pleasure but as a means to numb his pain and disillusionment.

The song delves into deeper philosophical questions about the value of life and love. Vian's narrator questions whether life is truly enjoyable ('La vie est-elle tell'ment marrante') and whether love is worth the pain of infidelity ('L'amour vaut-il qu'on soit cocu'). These rhetorical questions highlight a profound sense of hopelessness and a search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. The lack of answers to these questions further emphasizes the narrator's isolation and despair.

Vian's use of vivid imagery, such as drinking 'la pire des vinasses' (the worst wine) and the description of it as 'dégueulasse' (disgusting), paints a bleak picture of his reality. The act of drinking becomes a metaphor for his attempt to escape from the harsh truths of his existence. The song's melancholic tone and raw honesty resonate with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by life's challenges and sought solace in self-destructive habits. Through 'Je bois,' Vian captures the essence of human vulnerability and the struggle to find meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it.