Parisienne Lyrics in English by Gims, La Mano 1.9
Parisienne literally translates to 'Parisian woman'. While it might seem like a common word, in this song, it's elevated to represent a specific, idealized type of woman.
Gims describes a 'Parisienne' who is independent, confident, and perhaps a bit rebellious – someone who 'crosses on a green light' and 'doesn't care about the Eiffel Tower'. It's a captivating word that immediately conjures images of French culture and a distinct personality, making it highly enticing for a learner.
In "Parisienne," Gims paints a very specific picture of his ideal woman. He's not interested in a tourist or someone impressed by clichés. He wants a real Parisian girl, one who is so at home in her city that she "traverse au feu vert" (crosses at the green light) and "s'en fout d'la Tour Eiffel" (doesn't care about the Eiffel Tower). This isn't just any woman; she's confident, a little rebellious, and completely unimpressed by the things that dazzle outsiders. She's the kind of person who is beautiful, maybe even "Artificielle" (artificial), but is also the one who "tire les ficelles" (pulls the strings).
Their life together sounds like a movie. One minute they're cruising down the "Champs-Élysées," the next he's telling her, "Prends le volant, j'suis alcoolisé" (Take the wheel, I'm drunk) because the police have found them. It's a life of luxury and danger. But she's loyal, sticking with him "quand c'était la misère" (when things were miserable). Even though their relationship can be unstable—he sings, "Parfois, comme l'oseille / Tu t'en vas" (Sometimes, like money / you disappear)—he's all in, ready for a wild night where they "Sort les gros billets" (Take out the big bills) and "Appelle les pompiers" (Call the firefighters).
