Learn French with Rap Music with these 23 Song Recommendations (Full Translations Included!)

Rap
LF Content Team | Updated on 2 February 2023
Learning French with Rap is a great way to learn French! Learning with music is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. So music and song lyrics are a great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning French!
Below are 23 Rap song recommendations to get you started learning French! We have full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs recommended below, so check out all of our resources. We hope you enjoy learning French with Rap!
CONTENTS SUMMARY
1. Galbi
Danyl
Y a plus le sortilège
Y a plus la flamme du début
Je pensais que le temps suffirait
À panser tes blessures
There's no more spell
There's no more flame from the beginning
I thought time would be enough
To heal your wounds

This song is one big, desperate plea to an ex after a breakup. Danyl is completely heartbroken and can't accept that it's over. He knows the magic is gone, saying, "T'as plus de papillons dans le ventre" [You don't have butterflies in your stomach anymore], but he's still begging for another chance. The title, "Galbi," is Arabic for "my heart," and he uses it as a nickname for her while he begs her to just reply to his texts, which he can see she's read!

He swings between sadness and anger, trying to move on by burning their photos, but then admits everything reminds him of her, even a specific perfume mixed with the sound of waves. He's also consumed by jealousy, admitting, "J'ai du mal à me faire à l'idée / Qu'un autre t'ait déshabillée" [I'm having a hard time accepting the idea / That someone else has undressed you]. It's a very honest and messy look at how hard it is to let someone go, especially when you're still completely in love with them.

2. Sans Avion (Without a Plane)
MPL, Clou
Si on va plus dans les avions
Dis-moi où est-ce qu'on ira
J'aurais voulu voir le Japon
J'aurais voulu voir ça
If we no longer fly on planes
Tell me where we'll go
I would have liked to see Japan
I would have liked to see that

Ever imagined a world without airplanes? French artist MPL takes us on a journey to this very future in his beautiful and thoughtful song, Sans Avion, which means 'Without Airplanes'. In this world, airports are no longer bustling travel hubs but have become quiet museums. People visit them like ancient castles to remember a time when giant metal birds soared through the sky. There's a feeling of sweet sadness, a melancholy, as the singer imagines walking on empty runways and dreaming of faraway places like Japan.

The song beautifully captures the memory of flying: the thrill of takeoff with a 'tight heart' (cœur serré) and the magical view of the world from above a 'sea of clouds' (mer de nuages). But even with these 'broken wings' decorating the landscape, the song isn't all sad. It's also about human imagination and resilience. MPL suggests that life will go on, and love and travel will simply find new, perhaps even more magical, ways to exist. It’s a poetic reminder that even when we lose something big, we find new ways to dream and connect.

3. Equilibre (Balance)
Eugénie
Pas à pas, j'ai trouvé l'équilibre
Une fois retrouvé, je me rembobine
Ne tentez pas de me rendre insipide
Je ne suis pas qu'une poupée timide
Step by step, I found balance
Once it's back, I rewind myself
Don't try to make me bland
I'm not just a shy doll

“Équilibre” is a bold, sparkling anthem of self-discovery by French artist Eugénie. Line by line she walks a mental tightrope, celebrating the moment she finally finds her balance—then happily rewinds the tape to show how she got there. The singer rejects anyone who tries to make her “insipide” (bland) and insists she is far more than a “poupée timide” (shy doll). Set against humid summer air and elastic metaphors of ropes, springs, and knots, her words paint a picture of someone who was once naïve, felt the emptiness rush over her, yet chose to dive straight into it in order to rise stronger.

By the time the catchy “palalalala” hook rolls in, Eugénie has transformed into a poupée soldat—a soldier doll—ready to bite back and stay forever in the game. The song’s message is crystal clear: real strength is found step by step, in learning to own your contradictions and refusing to let anyone dull your sparkle. It is a vibrant reminder that balance is not about standing still; it is about continually moving, rewinding, and leaping forward with fearless authenticity.

4. Phénix (Phoenix)
Eugénie
Comme un phénix
Comme un phénix
Renais toujours de ses cendres
Comme un phénix
Like a phoenix
Like a phoenix
I always rise from my ashes
Like a phoenix

🔥 Phénix invites you to spread your wings after every crash-landing. Eugénie mixes French and English lyrics to paint the picture of a heart that refuses to stay broken. Like the legendary bird that “renais toujours de ses cendres,” she tosses past defeats and “petites guerres” into the flames, tasting the délice of starting all over again. The repeated chorus — “Reborn from its ashes” — turns the track into a mantra for anyone craving a fresh chapter.

More than a simple comeback song, Phénix celebrates the thrill of rediscovery: relearning love, daring renewal, and dancing in the “pluie de Novembre” rather than hiding from it. With each beat, Eugénie reminds listeners that setbacks are just fuel for transformation. Cue the music, feel the sparks, and get ready to rise.

5. Souvenirs (Memories)
Sopico
Les mauvais souvenirs
Parfois c'est mortel
Quelques clichés flous
Quelques vieux portraits
Bad memories
Sometimes it's deadly
A few blurry shots
A few old portraits

Souvenirs feels like rifling through a dusty box of photos: some frames are blurry, others painfully sharp, and all of them tug at Sopico’s heart. Over a mellow guitar loop, the French rapper reflects on bad memories that can be deadly, the clichés people feed you when times are rough, and the nagging doubt that success may arrive after everyone has left the party. He paints himself as the kid day-dreaming in class, racing a shopping cart like it’s Fast & Furious, and struggling to find a cure for a society stuck in crisis.

When the hook asks, “If the Earth keeps turning and the sky is so blue, why do we love each other so little?” the song widens from personal nostalgia to a universal plea for empathy. In the end, “Souvenirs” invites listeners to accept their imperfect past, question empty encouragement, and keep pushing forward until their own rendez-vous with happiness finally shows up.

6. Hide
Eugénie
Tu t'imposes et t'étales
Sur mes joues, jamais mal
Mes joues jamais mal
Mes joues jamais mal
You impose and sprawl
On my cheeks, no pain
My cheeks never hurt
My cheeks never hurt

Eugénie’s “Hide” invites us into a stylish cat-and-mouse game where pride and vulnerability collide. Over pulsing electro-pop beats, the French singer paints a picture of a lover who prefers masks to honesty: they pose, they preen, they only play when they are sure to win. Yet, beneath the sharp smiles and polished anger, the song insists that real emotions keep leaking through. Eugénie calls out the façade with the hypnotic refrain “You can’t hide,” reminding her partner that bitterness still holds a “goût d’estime” and that even behind long eyelashes, feelings remain visible.

At its heart, “Hide” is a confident anthem about reclaiming self-worth. Eugénie refuses to be “un jouet qu’on régale,” challenging the power dynamics in a relationship built on one-sided control. As she sings of lost pride and hidden tenderness, the track becomes both a warning and a celebration: you can either reveal your true self or risk losing someone who sees right through the charade. It is a catchy reminder that love thrives on authenticity, not on perfectly curated shields.

7. Ya Lbahri (Oh Sailor)
Soolking
Toto Beats
Chefi
W ya lbahri Lah yahdik
7aregni 3lik mlouma
Toto Beats
Check it
Oh sea, may God guide you
You forced me to flee, the blame is on you

Soolking's "Ya Lbahri" is a powerful story about the dangerous journey many people take across the Mediterranean Sea to find a better life in Europe. The song is a direct conversation with the sea itself, which he calls "Lbahri". He begs it for safe passage, singing, "W ya lbahri Lah yahdik" (Oh sea, may God guide you), because his only hope for a future is in leaving his home. He sees no other choice, saying "Nrisqui l'mout bach n3ich" (I risk death to live).

He describes the heartbreaking decision to leave everything behind for a "aller sans retour" (one-way trip), including the person he loves. The lyrics are full of desperation and the feeling of being trapped, with lines like "Rani me9hor, rani me7gor" (I am oppressed, I am despised). He knows the risk is huge, admitting that to "Mourir en mer, c'est du suicide" (To die at sea is suicide), but feels he has no mercy at home. The song is a sad look at the reality faced by thousands who feel forced to make this life-threatening choice.

8. Ya Lbahri (Oh, mi marinero)
Soolking
Toto Beats
Chefi
W ya lbahri Lah yahdik
7aregni 3lik mlouma
Toto Beats
Chefi
Y oh marinero, que Dios te guíe
Me quema la culpa por ti

¡Prepárate para una canción que te tocará el alma! "Ya Lbahri" de Soolking es una mirada cruda y honesta a la desesperación de quienes buscan una vida mejor, incluso si eso significa arriesgarlo todo. La canción nos lleva a través de la mente de alguien que se enfrenta a la difícil decisión de dejar su hogar y a sus seres queridos atrás.

El protagonista le ruega al mar, "W ya lbahri Lah yahdik" [Oh, marinero, que Dios te guíe], mientras siente el peso de la culpa por irse. La frase "F sari3 nokhrej min l'Afrique, Roma wala ntouma" [Rápido, salgo de África, Roma o vosotros] muestra la urgencia y la determinación de escapar, con Roma como un símbolo de esperanza o una nueva vida. El estribillo "J'fais aller sans retour, j'fais aller sans retour, J'ai quitté mon amour, j't'ai quitté pour toujours" [Me voy sin regreso, me voy sin regreso, Dejé a mi amor, te dejé para siempre] es desgarrador y directo, revelando el sacrificio personal. Es una canción que te hará pensar en las duras realidades que enfrentan muchas personas.

9. Galbi
Danyl
Y a plus le sortilège
Y a plus la flamme du début
Je pensais que le temps suffirait
À panser tes blessures
Ya no hay el hechizo
Ya no hay la llama del principio
Pensaba que el tiempo bastaría
Para curar tus heridas

¡Prepárate para sentir la angustia de un corazón roto con "Galbi" de Danyl! Esta canción es un lamento desgarrador de alguien que no puede aceptar el final de una relación.

El cantante nos cuenta que "Y a plus la flamme du début" [Ya no queda la llama del principio], y aunque pensó que el tiempo curaría las heridas, la otra persona ya no lo ve igual. ¡Incluso menciona que "T'as plus de papillons dans le ventre" [Ya no tienes mariposas en el estómago]! Le cuesta mucho hacerse a la idea de que ella se va de su realidad, preguntándose "Sans toi comment continuer" [Sin ti, ¿cómo seguir?]. La idea de que "Un autre t'ait déshabillée" [Otro te haya desvestido] lo atormenta, y ruega: "Je t'en prie laisse-moi revenir, J'aimerais qu'on recommence" [Te lo ruego, déjame volver, me gustaría que volviéramos a empezar]. La repetición de "Galbi, Tu peux pas me laisser sans nouvelle, Réponds aux messages entrouverts" [Galbi, no puedes dejarme sin noticias, responde a los mensajes abiertos] es un grito desesperado por una respuesta. Incluso llega a quemar fotos y tirar las cenizas, ¡pero no quiere que le digan que ella no era la indicada! El olor a Black Opium y el ruido de las olas le recuerdan a ella, y en un momento de frustración dice: "Si c'est donc ça l'amour, j'en ai pas besoin" [Si esto es el amor, no lo necesito]. ¡Hasta intenta darle celos para ver si ella aún lo ama un poco! Es una montaña rusa de emociones, ¿no crees?

10. Fille À Papa (Daddy's Girl)
Vacra, La Rvfleuze
T'inquiète, j'vais faire ça bien
C'est la Puch'K, mon pote
Roh, roh
C'est la fille à papa
Don't worry, I'm gonna do this right
It's Puch'K, my buddy
Roh, roh
She's daddy's girl

Vacra spends most of this track talking about the money, and the chorus is a shrug at the girl who wants it. "Elle aime quand j'lui paye tout, c'est une fille à papa" (She likes it when I pay for everything, she's a daddy's girl) is the whole joke: he calls her spoiled while lining up to spoil her, then admits "Mais elle a oublié que la rue ne m'oublie pas" (But she forgot that the streets don't forget me). The nickname returns as sugar in "Elle aime quand j'suis en rose comme une barbe à papa" (She likes it when I wear pink like cotton candy), because in French cotton candy is barbe à papa, literally "daddy's beard".

The verses are a victory lap with a burglar's sense of humor. He brags that "C'est pas le vent qui décoiffe, nan" (It's not the wind messing up your hair, nah) before the punchline "Nan, c'est le cabriolet" (Nah, it's the convertible), then slides into talk of locks, shutters and a Verisure alarm going off. The second verse name-checks both rappers and moves the scene to the smart Paris neighborhoods where they now have a place. Every chorus closes on the street code of "Je garde le silence, OPJ, on parle pas" (I keep quiet, cops, we don't talk), so the flashy life never quite drowns out where the money came from.

11. Kappa
Achile
Ma marque préférée à l'nom d'mon ex
Du coup j'en porte pas
J'suis sûr qu'ça m'va pas
J'préfère du Kappa
My favorite brand has my ex's name
So I don't wear it
I'm sure it doesn't suit me
I prefer Kappa

Ever had a favorite thing ruined by a bad memory? That's the quirky and relatable heart of Achile's song "Kappa." The singer's favorite clothing brand happens to share the same name as his ex-girlfriend. To avoid the constant reminder, he humorously declares he'd rather wear Kappa, a different sportswear brand. This simple idea becomes a catchy chorus for a song that's really about moving forward and chasing big dreams.

Beyond the story of the ex, Achile shares his ambitions as a young artist. He dreams of releasing double albums, getting more streams than Ed Sheeran, and performing at huge festivals. He acknowledges the risks of leaving school for an unstable music career, a choice that worries his mom. Yet, he's determined to take the leap, face the challenges, and fly high. The song is a fun, upbeat anthem about dedication, ambition, and leaving the past (and certain clothing brands) behind to forge your own path.

12. À Qui La Faute (Whose Fault?)
Djadja, Dinaz
J'ai remonté la pente
J'ai charbonné
J'sais même plus à qui la faute
J'sais qu'on m'a rien donné
I bounced back
I hustled
I don't even know who's to blame
I know nobody gave me anything

Ever felt like you had to build your success from the ground up? That's the powerful story behind "À Qui La Faute." The title asks, "Whose Fault Is It?", but the song quickly decides that blame doesn't matter. What matters is the hustle. The artists describe how they had to "charbonné" (a French slang term for working extremely hard) and climb back up on their own because they were never given anything. It’s a raw look at life as a "jungle" where you have to be strong and focused, working relentlessly "from Monday to Monday" to achieve your goals.

But the song isn't just about being tough; it's also about being human. The artists acknowledge their own flaws, admitting they sometimes "do good, do bad" and can lose their way. Despite this, they remain confident in their mission, comparing themselves to a top athlete who always scores. They also reflect on learning to distance themselves from fake people and the frustration of being misunderstood. After being too open in the past, they've learned to protect themselves and "close off access," making this a powerful anthem about resilience, self-awareness, and forging your own path.

13. Ton Visage (Your Face)
MPL
Je ne pensais pas que tu me manquerais
Je ne pensais pas que tu me manquerais tant
J'ai prié tout bas, j'ai voulu t'oublier
Ça ne marche pas, tu reviens comme le vent
I didn't think I'd miss you
I didn't think I'd miss you so much
I whispered a prayer, tried to forget you
It doesn't work, you blow back like the wind

“Ton Visage” is a dreamy postcard from the land of nostalgia. The singer thought they could move on, yet the memory of a loved one keeps slipping back like the wind. No matter what they try—prayer, distraction, day-dreaming—their mind paints that familiar smile on everything: swaying poplar trees, drifting clouds, even the bottom of a coffee cup. The song turns everyday sights into a game of emotional hide-and-seek, where the missing face pops up in shadows, reflections, and the profiles of strangers on a train.

Beneath the light, almost hypnotic melody, MPL explores the bittersweet power of absence. Repetition in the lyrics mirrors the way grief and longing loop in our thoughts, while the soft reassurance—“tout ira bien” (everything will be fine)—reveals a tender conversation between past and present. It’s a gentle reminder that some people live on in our imagination long after they’re gone, transforming the world into a collage of memories we never quite asked for, yet can’t help but cherish.

14. L'inverse Du Coup De Foudre (The Opposite Of Love At First Sight)
MPL
Au début, j'étais pas sûr mais j'osais pas trop lui dire
Hein-hein
Je savais rien de l'amour, elle essayait d'en sortir
Hein-hein
At first, I wasn't sure but I didn't really dare tell her
Uh-huh
I knew nothing about love, she was trying to get out of it
Uh-huh

Have you ever heard of love at first sight? Well, this song is about the opposite of that! MPL sings about a relationship that started slow, almost unnoticed. He wasn't sure at first, and she was trying to get over a past love. He kept coming back, even though the spark was tiny, like a "petit feu" [small fire] that he wished would become a big "incendie" [inferno].

It's a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best love isn't a sudden flash of lightning, but something that grows over time. The lyrics say, "L'amour, c'est parfois l'inverse du coup de foudre" [Love, sometimes, is the inverse of love at first sight]. They found their way to being "amoureux, des vrais" [true lovers] not when they were searching, but when they just let things happen, even through the little "accidents" of two different worlds blending together. It's a sweet, comforting thought for anyone who's ever felt like they're waiting for that big, dramatic moment of love.

15. LA BELLE ET LA BÊTE (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST)
Gazo
J'suis distrait par toi
Bae, ça m'prend parfois
Seul dans c'lit, fait froid, ouais
T'as l'choix, on l'fait ou pas?
I'm distracted by you
Bae, it hits me sometimes
Alone in this bed, it's cold, yeah
Your choice, we do it or not?

“La Belle et la Bête” dives into the magnetic pull between two people who know they could either light up the night or break each other’s hearts. Gazo plays the self-proclaimed “beast,” torn between raw desire and the fear of getting attached. Throughout the lyrics he flips back and forth: “T’as l’choix, on l’fait ou pas ?” (You choose, do we go for it or not?), reminding his partner that their chemistry is explosive but risky. One moment he’s bragging about “flex en ice,” the next he’s warning “Si j’m’attache, barre-toi” (If I catch feelings, run away). The song paints love as a thrilling carousel of hot and cold — lonely nights in a cold bed followed by steamy encounters that feel “like a hard drug.”

Under the catchy drill beat, Gazo explores the classic Beauty and the Beast storyline in modern street language: a beautiful woman who could soften him, and a beast who’s scared to ruin everything. The result is a relatable anthem for anyone who has ever hesitated just before falling in too deep, torn between the high of passion and the instinct to protect their heart.

16. On En Verra Encore (There'll Be More)
Lilian Renaud
On peut croire qu'il ne reste rien sur la terre des hommes
Que des combats sans fin sur une terre de poussière
Sur la terre misère, sous le ciel de tes frères
Mais toujours restera l'amour dans les mains des enfants
You could think there's nothing left on the earth of men
Only endless fights on a land of dust
On the wretched earth, under your brothers' sky
Yet love will always stay in children's hands

Feel like the world is crumbling? French singer Lilian Renaud hands us a brightly colored paper heart and says, “Regarde encore – look again!” In On En Verra Encore, he paints a landscape of dust, war, and fading stars, then lets children burst onto the scene with crayons, giggles, and an endless rain of je t’aime. Their small hands and big imaginations remind us that love keeps sprouting in playgrounds, drawing books, and night-time dances under the moon.

The song’s pulse is pure optimism: no matter how dark the headlines get, we will still see tangled embraces, shy smiles on school benches, candles lit for dreamy nights, and lips whispering “I love you” by the dozen. Renaud’s message is simple yet powerful – hope is stubborn, love outlives every storm, and humanity’s future is sketched daily by the fearless creativity of its youngest hearts.

17. Au Jour On Se Tait (The Day We Fall Silent)
Eugénie
On s'est rencontrés sur le parvis de Notre-Dame
Tes yeux en amande dansaient sur les boulevards
Sombre nuit d'hiver au milieu des gyrophares
Ta démarche sûre et mes mains qui tremblaient
We met on the square in front of Notre-Dame
Your almond eyes danced along the boulevards
Dark winter night amid the flashing lights
Your confident stride and my trembling hands

Imagine a rainy Parisian night in front of Notre-Dame, flashing police lights bouncing off the puddles while two strangers lock eyes. Eugénie’s narrator steps straight into a cinematic moment: almond-shaped eyes dancing along the boulevards, trembling hands, and clothes soaked with the sweet smell of rain. What begins as electric attraction quickly turns into raw vulnerability. She keeps asking “Am I blind or am I just stupid?” because handing over all her love feels both thrilling and terrifying. The repeated promise “I’ll give you all my…” shows how deeply she is ready to dive, even if she fears the fall.

But passion can burn out as quickly as it sparks. The chorus title “Un jour on se tait” (“One day we fall silent”) hints at the inevitable moment when words—and maybe love itself—run dry. The song looks back on their homemade paradis filled with secret nights and heart-pounding noise, then contrasts it with two parallel lives that no longer match. In just a few verses, Eugénie captures the whole arc of a whirlwind romance: from magnetic first glance to the quiet breakup where silence says everything. The lesson? Intense love is unforgettable, yet it can vanish overnight—so listen closely to the heartbeat of the moment before the silence arrives.

18. Nouvelle Bande-annonce (New Trailer)
Doctor Strange
Vous croyez savoir comment tourne le monde
Si je vous disais
Que votre realité
N'est qu'une parmi d'autres
You think you know how the world works
If I told you
That your reality
Is just one of many

Open the portal to possibility! "Nouvelle Bande-annonce" is a cinematic collage of French-dubbed dialogue from Marvel’s Doctor Strange, remixed into a hip-hop track. The lyrics pull you straight into a world where what you think you know is instantly shattered: reality is only one of many, space folds in on itself, and time is something to be studied like a spellbook. By sampling these lines, the song invites listeners to question their everyday assumptions and imagine mastering hidden energies that let you leap across continents in a blink.

Yet among the cosmic fireworks, the track keeps its feet on the ground. We hear about years of practice, the weight of sacrifice, and even a cheeky joke about the Wi-Fi password—proof that saving the universe doesn’t mean forgetting everyday comforts. In short, this song celebrates curiosity, perseverance, and a dash of humor as the keys to unlocking new dimensions, both mystical and musical.

19. Rayon De Soleil (Ray Of Sunshine)
William Baldé
Un rayon de soleil
Dort sur tes cheveux longs
Sur nos corps de seigle
Et nous joue du violon
A sunbeam
Sleeps on your long hair
On our rye bodies
And plays us the violin

Feel a caress of sunlight and the gentle strum of a guitar—this is the laid-back universe of William Baldé’s “Rayon De Soleil.”

The lyrics paint an idyllic morning where a single sunbeam sprawls across two lovers stretched out “like wheat,” while acoustic chords and old vinyls by Bob Marley and Bob Dylan drift through the air. It is a sensory postcard: warm skin, garden flowers, dusty light, and playful intimacy. Over and over, the singer’s hand “cherche le chemin” (searches for the way), turning the song into a sweet quest for connection. More than a love song, it is a celebration of slow, golden moments when time seems to pause, music mingles with birds and bees, and the simplest touch feels like heaven’s door opening just a crack.

20. Sur Une Échelle (On A Scale)
MPL
Sur une échelle de 1 à 10, dis-moi comment t'as mal?
Si c'est trop dur, j'appelle tout de suite les gens de l'hôpital
Sur une échelle de 1 à 10, dis-moi comment t'espères
Que tes arrière-arrière-petits-enfants ne connaissent pas la guerre?
On a scale of 1 to 10, tell me how much pain you have?
If it's too hard, I'll call the hospital right away
On a scale of 1 to 10, tell me how you hope
That your great-great-grandchildren don't know war?

MPL's "Sur Une Échelle" is a really touching and honest song, seemingly a conversation with an aging loved one, perhaps a grandmother. The singer uses a 1-to-10 scale to ask some pretty heavy questions, like "Sur une échelle de 1 à 10, dis-moi comment t'as mal?" [On a scale of 1 to 10, tell me how much pain you're in?] and "Sur une échelle de 1 à 10, dis-moi comment t'as peur?" [On a scale of 1 to 10, tell me how scared you are?]. It feels like a final visit, with lines like "Tout ça ressemble de toute évidence à des adieux" [All of this clearly looks like goodbyes].

There's a bittersweet nostalgia as he remembers childhood, singing a nursery rhyme together: "'Il était une petite bergère qui allait au marché / Trois pas devant, trois pas derrière et trois pas sur le côté'" [There once was a little shepherdess who went to the market / Three steps forward, three steps back and three steps to the side]. He also expresses a regret, saying "T'aurais voulu que je te présente une fille, mais je suis venu seul" [You would have wanted me to introduce you to a girl, but I came alone]. It's a beautiful, poignant reflection on love, memory, and the difficult goodbyes we all face.

21. Joséphine
MPL
À ton avis, d'où vient le nom?
Celui que reçoivent un jour les tempêtes
Qui l'a donné, d'où vient l'idée?
À ton avis ça leur plaît aux tempêtes?
Where do you think the name comes from?
The one that the storms receive one day
Who gave it, where did the idea come from?
Do you think the storms like it?

Have you ever wondered who names hurricanes? MPL certainly has! In "Joséphine," he playfully questions the whole process, asking, "À ton avis, d'où vient le nom?" [In your opinion, where does the name come from?]. He finds it a bit humiliating for a powerful storm to get a human name, thinking, "Un nom d'humain, pas étonnant Qu'elles cassent tout" [A human name, no wonder They break everything]. It's a funny thought, imagining the storms themselves being annoyed by their new monikers!

MPL also wonders if these names somehow predestine the storms, making them better or angrier. And what about the people who share those names? He asks, "Et les gens qui ont ces prénoms de tempêtes? Ça les dérange pas?" [And the people who have these storm names? Doesn't that bother them?]. It's a quirky and thought-provoking look at something we rarely consider, all wrapped up in a catchy tune. He even jokes at the end, "Et au beau milieu d'un océan On a baptisé un ouragan Sûr qu'il n'en demandait pas autant" [And in the middle of an ocean A hurricane was baptized Surely it didn't ask for so much]. It's a fun, imaginative take on a serious natural phenomenon!

22. Cendres (Ashes)
MPL
Je t'écris ça pour plus tard
Pour quand on s'aimera plus
Quand on osera plus se l'avouer et qu'on se l'avouera plus
Pour que tu saches que si je disais si peu de mots doux
I'm writing this to you for later
For when we love each other more
When we won't dare admit it anymore and we'll no longer confess it
So that you would know that if I said so few sweet words

Have you ever thought about writing a letter to your future self, or to someone you love, for a time when things might not be so good? That's exactly what MPL does in "Cendres" (Ashes). He's writing to his significant other, imagining a future where they might not be together anymore, or perhaps where they've lost the courage to express their love.

It's a really moving song where he admits he was "lâche à en devenir fou" (cowardly to the point of madness) when it came to saying sweet words. But he wants them to know that when they were by his side, "c'est comme si tout s'éclairait" (it was as if everything lit up), and they were probably the best thing that ever happened to him. He even says, "c'est un peu toi qui m'a fait" (it's a bit you who made me). The song revisits a special place where they wanted to scatter ashes, and he can almost hear their laughter there. It's a beautiful, bittersweet reflection on love, loss, and the lasting impact people have on us.

23. Bbtumadores
Leslie Medina
Quatre heure du mat sans nouvelles
Ton répondeur fait la gueule
C'est fou comme on peut s'habituer à tout
J'me suis jamais sentie aussi seule
4 a.m. and no word
Your voicemail's pissed off
It’s crazy how you can get used to anything
I’ve never felt this lonely

This song is a total mood! Leslie Medina sings about being stuck in a frustrating relationship where she feels completely alone. She's up at "Quatre heure du mat sans nouvelles" [Four in the morning, no news], and her partner's voicemail is sulking. It's crazy how you can get used to anything, but she's never felt so lonely since he put her heart in the basement.

She's tired of her partner saying it's all in her head, especially when he only respects himself. She warns him, "La chute sera sanglante / Faudra pas pleurer" [The fall will be bloody / Don't cry]. The chorus is so blunt: "Ouais bébé, tu m'adores mais tu fous tout en l'air" [Yeah baby, you adore me but you mess everything up]. They had an agreement, but he's playing the loner. She keeps asking, "Qu'est-ce qui va pas chez moi / J'ai le don pour les gars comme toi" [What's wrong with me / I have a gift for guys like you]? It's a relatable feeling of giving everything, only for the other person to repeat their mistakes. She's done fighting his monsters and just wants out.