"C'est dans l'air" (It's in the Air) is a 2008 electronic dance song recorded by French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer. It is the fourth single from her seventh studio album Point de suture. The CD single was released on 27 April 2009, then the others formats one week later. Unlike Farmer's other three previous singles, the song failed to enter at number one of the French Singles Chart, but topped the chart the week after, becoming Farmer's fourth consecutive number-one hit in France. Surprisingly, the song was also announced as the first single from the live album N°5 on Tour, which will be released on 7 December 2009.[1]
[edit] Background and release
On 27 March, the CD promo and the mp3 version were sent to the radio stations, and the song was officially announced as the fourth single from the album.[2] The NRJ All French webradio began to air the song in a radio version.
Many fans were happy by this choice[3] because, according to a poll made on Mylene.net, most of them wanted this song as third single, instead of "Si j'avais au moins..."[4]
On 10 April, the cover artwork was revealed on Mylene.net. On 27 April, the CD single was released and all the versions were available digitally. The two CD maxi and the 12" were released on 4 May.
[edit] Music video
The music video was aired on TV on 15 April 2009. Directed by 3D-animations designer Alain Escalle,[5] it was shot in black and white, and shows Farmer dancing with skeletons in the background.[6] Archival nuclear test footage is also used in the video, and the face of the singer turns sometimes into a skull, with light effects. At the and of the video, the Earth is destroyed after an atomic explosion.[7]
The graphic elements of this video are manufactured from the visual elements used for the spectacle on scene and refers to universality of the world through the geometrical primitives. We find there the set of themes of a nuclear expensive destruction already present in are film " The tale of the floating world". As well as the marked reference of "rage net" (1988), "mothlight" (1963) and "Dark tower" of Stan Brakhage experimental film director died in 2003 and the group of creation of the video art between years 80/90. Escalle had reference he used before in the Charles Winter the photographic work (Flash from the Rhumkorff machine 1850) he used before the same theme with the "Fantôme d'amour" video installation, with an evocation of a dancing woman playing with thunder. The whole is in black and white. And the technique mixes different sources once again: 3D, Images the sun and of the planet Earth, Images of branches of trees and of forest in black and white then into negative, reprocessed and then deformed through numerical filters whose characteristic is to generate images automatic flashes. This mixture finds its final key in the use of painting on the film which gives to the clip its aspect ages and worn by time.[8]
The music video for the live single was composed of images from the concert at the Stade de France in Paris, on 12 September 2009. It was for the first time revealed to the public on 27 November 2009.[9]
[edit] Critical reception
[edit] Reviews
The song has a techno, minimalistic rhythm at first, evolving to more techno which resembles "Optimistique-moi". The style of the lyrics, however, may relate to "L'Instant X" and the universe of French artist Zazie, as there is a lot of satire and sarcasm.[10] Lyrics laugh at the "lame" things in life, and then goes on to talk about breathing and necessity.
The song was criticized by some media, including City Gay.[11] According to Libération, the song "uses a fairly impressive art of set language".[12] Télé Moustique deemed the verses are composed of "thoughts that will not revolutionize the songwriting".[13] By contrast, Le Nouvel Observateur qualified it as a "very dancing" song[14] and Voici even stated it is "calibrated to make the deads dance".[15] Musique Radio deemed the song is an "original" and "beautiful up-tempo song" which seems to be musically similar to "Dégénération".[16]
[edit] Chart performances
The music video reached number seven on the television airplay chart in its third week, on 2 May 2009. It also debuted at its peak at number 53 on the club chart.[17] The single went straight to number two on the singles chart, being unable to disloge Magic System and Khaled's hit "Même pas fatigué !!!",[18] then climbed to number one the next week thanks to the CD maxi and the vinyl sales, selling 16,631 units that week.[19][20] It allowed Farmer to establish a new record : to rank eight singles at number-one in France. It was also the first time since "Les Mots" (2001), the duet with Seal, that a Farmer's single did not reach its peak position in its first week on the French singles chart. However, the following week, it dropped to number five, but managed to stay for eight weeks in the top ten. The song debuted at a peak of number 26 on the digital chart and remained for three weeks in the top 50.
For the same reason, the single climbed to number 44 on 17 May 2009 on the Swiss Singles Chart, after a debut at number 88, then fell off the chart, but re-entered for a sole week after Farmer's concerts in Geneva in September 2009. The song also reached number seven in its second week on the Eurochart Hot 100[21] and entered the Ultratop 40 in Belgium at number thirteen on 16 May 2009.[22]
[edit] Formats and track listings
- CD single
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (single version) | 4:33 | | 2. | "C'est dans l'air" (instrumental version) | 4:33 | - CD maxi 1
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (single version) | 4:33 | | 2. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. dance mix) | 5:10 | | 3. | "C'est dans l'air" (house club mix) | 6:30 | | 4. | "C'est dans l'air" (Fat Phaze remix) | 6:10 | - CD maxi 2
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (extended club mix) | 5:30 | | 2. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. remix) | 6:00 | | 3. | "C'est dans l'air" (Wize remix) | 6:30 | | 4. | "C'est dans l'air" (extended instrumental) | 5:30 | - 12" maxi
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (extended club mix) | 5:30 | | 2. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. remix) | 6:00 | | 3. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. dance mix) | 5:10 | | 4. | "C'est dans l'air" (house club remix) | 6:30 | | - CD single - Promo
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (radio edit) | 3:35 | - CD maxi - Promo - Club remixes 1
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (extended club mix) | 5:30 | | 2. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. dance mix) | 5:10 | | 3. | "C'est dans l'air" (house club remix) | 6:30 | - CD maxi - Promo - Club remixes 2
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. remix) | 6:00 | | 2. | "C'est dans l'air" (Wize remix) | 6:30 | | 3. | "C'est dans l'air" (Fat Phaze remix) | 6:10 | - Digital download
| 1. | "C'est dans l'air" (single version) | 4:33 | | 2. | "C'est dans l'air" (instrumental version) | 4:33 | | 3. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. dance mix) | 5:10 | | 4. | "C'est dans l'air" (house club remix) | 6:30 | | 5. | "C'est dans l'air" (Fate Phaze remix) | 6:10 | | 6. | "C'est dans l'air" (extended club mix) | 5:30 | | 7. | "C'est dans l'air" (Greg B. remix) | 6:00 | | 8. | "C'est dans l'air" (Wize remix) | 6:30 | | 9. | "C'est dans l'air" (extended instrumental) | 5:30 | |
[edit] Credits
- Mylène Farmer – lyrics
- Laurent Boutonnat – music
- Isiaka – editions
- Alain Escalle – photo
- Made in the E.U.
[edit] Release history
| Date | Label | Country | Format | Catalog |
| March 27, 2009 | Polydor | Belgium, France, Switzerland | CD single - Promo | |
| April 1, 2009 | CD remixes 1 - Promo | 12319 |
| CD remixes 2 - Promo | 12323 |
| April 27, 2009 | CD single | 531 847-8 |
| May 4, 2009 | CD maxi 1 | 531 847-7 |
| CD maxi 2 | 531 847-9 |
| May 5, 2009 | 12" maxi | 531 847-6 |
[edit] Official versions
| Version | Length | Album | Remixed by | Year | Comment |
| Album version | 4:29 | Point de Suture | — | 2008 | See the previous sections |
| Extended club mix | 5:33 | — | Laurent Boutonnat and Jérôme Devoise[citation needed] | 2009 | This version is similar to the album one but is longer and contains extra beats |
| Instrumental | 4:33 | — | — | 2009 | All the lyrics are deleted. |
| Extended instrumental | 5:30 | — | — | 2009 | This version is similar to the Extended club mix, but all the lyrics are deleted |
| Single version | 4:33 | — | — | 2009 | |
| Radio edit | 3:36 | — | — | 2009 | The musical introduction is shortened and a refrain is deleted |
| Fat Phaze remix | 6:10 | — | Olivier Huguenard and Emmanuel Plégat | 2009 | |
| Greg B remix | 6:00 | — | Greg B | 2009 | |
| Greg B dance mix | 5:10 | — | Greg B | 2009 | This version is similar to the Greg B remix, but there are more dance sounds |
| House club remix | 6:30 | — | Greg B | 2009 | It contains a sample from "Show Me Love" |
| Wize remix | 6:30 | — | Basile Fanon | 2009 | This is an electro version in which the voice is distorted in the refrains |
Live version
(recorded in 2009) | 6:08 | N°5 on Tour | — | 2009 | This live version uses some elements from the 'Extended club remix', especially during the introduction. |
| Tiesto remix | 4:19 | — | Tiesto | 2009 | This remix was made to promote the live single. It is a trance version which uses many synthesizer sounds. |
[edit] Charts | Chart (2009) | Peak
position | | Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[22] | 13 | | Eurochart Hot 100[21] | 7 | | French Digital Chart[23] | 26 | | French SNEP Singles Chart[24] | 1 | | Swiss Singles Chart[25] | 44 | | [edit] Certifications and sales | Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales | Digital downloads | | France | — | — | — | 45,000 | 1,900 | |
[edit] References
- ^ "Single live enfin révélé" (in French). mylene.net. 26 November 2009. http://www.mylene.net/modules/index.php?r=4&z=2294. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
- ^ Nicolas Palhier (27 March 2009). "Mylène Farmer annonce le 4ème extrait de Point de Suture" (in French). Ozap. http://www.ozap.com/actu/mylene-farmer-nouveau-single-dans-air/267086. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ Thierry Cadet (27 March 2009). ""C'est dans l'air" : nouveau single de Mylène Farmer" (in French). Chartsinfrance. http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-67722.html. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ Thierry Cadet (15 December 2008). "Farmer propose le single "Si j'avais au moins..."" (in French). Chartsinfrance. http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-67250.html. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ^ "Alain Escalle — Réalisations, 2006-2008" (in French). Escalle. http://www.escalle.com/pagesweb/rea_2006_2008.html. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
- ^ "Mylène Farmer danse avec des squelettes" (in French). 20 Minutes. 16 April 2009. http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2009/04/16-04-2009-20minutes.jpg. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
- ^ "La danse macabre de Mylène Farmer..." (in French). Music Actu. 16 April 2009. http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2009/04/16-04-2009-musicactu.jpg. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
- ^ "Le clip est un rapport à l'universel", IAO magazine, June 2009
- ^ Thierry Cadet (27 November 2009). ""C'est dans l'air", le nouveau clip live de Farmer" (in French). Chartsinfrance. http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-69011.html. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
- ^ Arnaud Babion-Colomb (18 August 2008). "Mylène Farmer : Frappe chirurgicale" (in French). Hit Muse Mag. http://www.hitmusemag.com/Mylene_Farmer__Frappe_chirurgicale-1575-hitmusemag.html. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
- ^ "Point de Suture, Mylène Farmer, sans surprise..." (in French). Cité Gay. http://musique.citegay.com/THEMES/CULTURE/MUSIQUE/252448/content_visu.htm. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ^ Ludovic Perrin (26 August 2008). "Mylène Farmer sort un septième album peu inspirée, sans (contre)façon" (in French). Libération. http://www.mylene.net/img_data/liberation_26082008.jpg. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ^ L.L. (27 August 2008). "Point à la ligne" (in French). Télé Moustique. http://www.mylene.net/img_data/telemoustique_27082008_02.jpg. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ^ "Les sorties de disques de la semaine" (in French). Le Nouvel Observateur. 28 March 2009. http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2008/08/28-08-2008-nouvelobs.jpg. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ^ H.R. (8 September 2008). "Mylène Farmer, l'électro choc" (in French). Voici. http://www.mylene.net/img_data/voici_08092008_01.jpg. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ^ "Mylène Farmer : "C'est dans l'air" en écoute" (in French). Musique Radio. 27 March 2009. http://www.musiqueradio.com/article_news7648_mylene-farmer--c-est-dans-l-air-en-ecoute.php. Retrieved 2 April 2009.
- ^ "French Airplay Chart" (in French). Yacast. http://www.yacast.fr/fr/index.html. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
- ^ La Rédaction (5 May 2009). "Top Albums : Kery James prend le pouvoir" (in French). Chartsinfrance. http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Kery-James/news-67881.html. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
- ^ Thierry Cadet (12 May 2009). "Tops : Mylène Farmer et Calogero prennent la tête" (in French). Chartsinfrance. http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-67859.html. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
- ^ Charles Décant (13 May 2009). "Disques : 4ème numéro un consécutif pour Mylène Farmer" (in French). Ozap. http://www.ozap.com/actu/ventes-disques-mylene-farmer-air-calogero-embellie/275990. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Singles&f=European+Hot+100+Singles. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
- ^ a b ""C'est dans l'air", Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart" (in French). Ultratop. http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?key=504102&cat=s. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
- ^ "French Digital Chart, from 27 April 2009 to 3 May 2009" (in French). Disqueenfrance. http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/page-260585.xml. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ ""C'est dans l'air", French Singles Chart" (in French). Lescharts. http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?key=504102&cat=s. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
- ^ ""C'est dans l'air", Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Hitparade. http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?key=504102&cat=s. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
[edit] External links
