Rouiller literally means "to rust". It's a fantastic example of a word used metaphorically to create a powerful image.
In the song, OrelSan says, "Si j'suis parti, c'est parce que j'avais peur de rouiller" (If I left, it's because I was afraid of rusting). He's not talking about metal, but about himself—feeling stuck, stagnant, and slowly decaying in his rainy, unchanging hometown. It perfectly captures the feeling of needing to escape to avoid losing your shine.
Picture this: you are stuck in the back of a minivan listening to classic French singer Julien Clerc, staring out at gray skies, while your brain rhythms words to the squeak of windshield wipers. That is the exact childhood French rapper OrelSan describes in "La Pluie". Teaming up with Belgian star Stromae, he looks back at growing up in Normandy, a corner of France where it only stays sunny for about forty days a year ("y'a du soleil quarante jours par an"). Instead of whining about it, he turns the gloomy drizzle into an ode to his roots, declaring over the bouncy beat: "Toujours autant d'pluie chez moi, mais il fait quand même beau" ("Still as much rain where I live, but it's still beautiful").
OrelSan packs his verses with dry, funny details of everyday French middle-class life ("la classe moyenne, moyennement classe"). He talks about drunken parties where folks do the conga line ("la chenille"), village gossip, and drinking herbal tea while unemployed. He even uses the harsh street slang "prendre des caisses" to mean binge drinking until you crash like crash-test dummies. He admits he fled his hometown because he was terrified he would "rust" ("peur de rouiller") from staying still in the dampness. Yet, after spending his youth praying for downpours to stop so he could skate, he ends up missing the exact smell of wet concrete. It turns out the very weather you hated as a kid can end up feeling like home.
Aurélien Cotentin, known professionally as Orelsan, is a celebrated French rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor, and director from Normandy. Since beginning his career in 2002, Orelsan has become one of the most iconic voices in French hip hop, recognized for his witty lyrics that blend humor and irony with profound themes.
With four successful studio albums including Perdu d'avance, Le chant des sirènes, La fête est finie, and Civilisation, his music appeals to a wide audience beyond traditional rap fans. He is also half of the duo Casseurs Flowters, alongside Gringe, known for their innovative collaborations. Often compared to Eminem for his sharp storytelling and dynamic style, Orelsan has won numerous awards, including the MTV Europe Music Award for Best French Act and France's prestigious title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. His work not only shapes French music but also contributes significantly to contemporary culture.