La Question Lyrics in English by Bilal Hassani
Olivaie translates to "olive grove". It's a less common word in everyday French, making it stand out in the lyrics.
In the song, Bilal Hassani uses it poetically when he sings, "J'dirai c'est l'cri d'l'oiseau cancre / Ou le vent dans l'olivaie" (I'll say it's the cry of the dunce bird / Or the wind in the olive grove). This imagery evokes a sense of nature, peace, and perhaps a touch of the Mediterranean, adding a unique and evocative layer to the song's message of self-acceptance and defiance.
Bilal Hassani's "La Question" is a powerful anthem about self-acceptance and rejecting societal norms. He starts by admitting, "C'était quoi la question? Je n'ai pas la réponse" [What was the question? I don't have the answer], which really sets the tone for his journey of figuring things out for himself. He talks about the pressure he feels, but also his complete lack of contempt for his own body, saying, "Je n'ai pas une once de mépris et de dégout pour ce corps que je sculpte" [I don't have an ounce of contempt and disgust for this body that I sculpt]. It's a bold statement of self-love!
He's not afraid of what people say, ignoring the insults that "sortent des plaques d'égouts" [come out of the sewer grates]. Bilal also touches on how he used to wonder what people were laughing at when they saw him, but now he's learned to heal his own wounds. He declares, "J'n'ai plus peur de grand-chose" [I'm not afraid of much anymore], and that dance is his therapist. He's ready to break free from any boxes people try to put him in, singing, "Je casserai toutes les cages dans lesquelles vous m'enfermerez" [I will break all the cages in which you will lock me up]. And my favorite part? He says if he had to choose a gender, he'd choose the wrong one, because ultimately, he doesn't know, and he's learned to move past it. If you don't like it, well, he has a pretty blunt message for you! It's all about owning who you are.
