La Fée
Zaz
The Enigmatic Presence of a Fairy: Unraveling Zaz's 'La Fée'
The song 'La Fée' by Zaz, a French singer known for her jazz and acoustic style, is a poetic and metaphorical piece that delves into the themes of protection, loss, and the desire for freedom. The lyrics tell the story of a fairy found by the narrator, who now resides with them. The fairy, once capable of flight, now has burnt wings and can no longer take to the skies. This fairy could symbolize something precious and delicate that the narrator has come to care for, despite its imperfections and limitations.
The imagery of the fairy hiding under a book and the moon finishing its nightly journey 'drunk' adds a whimsical, almost magical layer to the song. It suggests a world where the extraordinary can be found in the ordinary, and where magic exists quietly alongside the mundane. The fairy's burnt wings and inability to fly might represent a loss or a dream that can no longer be achieved. The narrator's choice to embrace and cherish the fairy despite this speaks to a theme of acceptance and finding beauty in brokenness.
The latter part of the song paints a picture of the fairy's life within the narrator's home, suggesting a sense of confinement. The fairy reads various periodicals and watches the world go by from the safety of a window, hinting at a longing for the outside world and the freedom it represents. The repetition of 'Moi aussi j'ai une fée chez moi' (I also have a fairy at home) emphasizes the narrator's shared sense of captivity and the bond they feel with the fairy. The song, with its melancholic undertones, invites listeners to reflect on their own 'fairies'—the dreams and desires that are grounded, yet still cherished.