La Solassitude is a witty mash-up of the French words for loneliness and weariness, and that clever fusion perfectly captures the song’s mood. Stromae slips into the shoes of Nicolas, a restless hero who swings like a pendulum between two equally uncomfortable states: single life that echoes with solitude, and long-term couple life that sinks into boredom. Over a catchy beat, Nicolas tries quick hookups, imagines eight-year relationships, and even chats with himself, only to discover that every option seems to come with its own brand of misery. The chorus sums it up in one breath: “Le célibat me fait souffrir de solitude / La vie de couple me fait souffrir de lassitude.”
Stromae turns this see-saw of emotions into an ironic confession about modern love. The lyrics highlight how routine can strangle passion, while endless freedom can leave us feeling empty. By the end, Nicolas is back at square one, re-introducing himself as if nothing has changed — a playful reminder that the search for balance between excitement and stability is never-ending. Underneath the danceable rhythm, the song is both a humorous and poignant study of human dissatisfaction, urging listeners to laugh at their own contradictions even as they feel the sting.