"Plus grandir" (English: "Not Growing Anymore") is a 1985 song recorded by French singer-songwriter

Mylène Farmer Mylène Jeanne Gautier (; born 12 September 1961), known professionally as Mylène Farmer (), is a French singer and songwriter. Having sold more than 30 million records worldwide, she is among the most successful recording artists of all time ...

and is the first song written by the singer. It was released twice: first, on 25 September 1985 in a studio version as second single from Farmer's debut album '' Cendres de Lune'', then on 12 May 1990 in a live mix version as second single from the live album '' En Concert''. In spite of positive critics and a music video produced as a short film in cinemascope, the song achieved moderate success in France in terms of sales and chart performances.

Background, writing and release

After the relative failure of the "

On est tous des imbéciles "On est tous des imbéciles" (English: "We Are All Fools") is a 1984 song recorded by France, French artist Mylène Farmer. It was released in February 1985 as her second Single (music), single after "Maman a tort" and its English-translated vers ...

", Farmer separated from the songwriter Jerome Dahan and her contract with the

record company "Big Three" music labels A record label or record company is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and t ...

RCA RCA Corporation was a major American electronics company, which was founded in 1919 as the Radio Corporation of America. It was initially a patent pool, patent trust owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westinghou ...

ended. She then signed with

Polydor Polydor Limited, also known as Polydor Records, is a British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in ...

for two albums and, for the first time, she wrote the lyrics of her next single, "Plus grandir", which was released in September 1985 (it was also released in Canada, but without cover, and at the same time that "We'll Never Die", only released in this country), with "Chloé" as B-side. Despite sales fairly low, Polydor allowed the duo

Laurent Boutonnat Laurent Boutonnat (born 14 June 1961) is a French film score composer and music video director, best known as the songwriting partner of Mylène Farmer and the director of several music videos. Career Early career and collaboration with Mylèn ...

to create the album '' Cendres de Lune'', in March 1986. About five years after the single's release, Farmer did not yet expect the relative success of this song, which was her first composition. She then decided to release this song for the second time, but in live version, after the success of the live album '' En Concert'' in 1990. The song's success was relative, except in

nightclub A nightclub or dance club is a club that is open at night, usually for drinking, dancing and other entertainment. Nightclubs often have a Bar (establishment), bar and discotheque (usually simply known as disco) with a dance floor, laser lighti ...

s. Eventually, the song was the last collaboration at level of editing and management between Farmer and Bertrand Le Page because of artistic differences in late 1989. The 1985 promotional 7" contained a photo of the pram used in the music video and a letter written by Farmer. Among the various formats of the live song, there was a

picture disc Picture discs are gramophone record, gramophone (phonograph) records that show images on their playing surface, rather than being of plain black or colored vinyl. Collectors traditionally reserve the term picture disc for records with graphics ...

, which is the first one in the singer's career.

Lyrics and music

The song deals with subjects that Farmer was especially fond of at the time: difficulty of leaving

childhood A child () is a human being between the stages of childbirth, birth and puberty, or between the Development of the human body, developmental period of infancy and puberty. The term may also refer to an unborn human being. In English-speaking ...

, fear of

aging Ageing (or aging in American English) is the process of becoming Old age, older until death. The term refers mainly to humans, many other animals, and fungi; whereas for example, bacteria, perennial plants and some simple animals are potentiall ...

, permanent pain of living and death. Boutonnat said in an interview: "When listening well, we see that lyrics talk about death, childhood and the loss of virginity. In the same time, of course we can extrapolate and speak of it in different words." About lyrics, Farmer explained: "Old age traumatizes me, it's what I wanted to say in the song". French author Erwan Chuberre said ""Plus grandir" is a song that sounds like a hymn to the refusal to grow old, it is the denial of becoming an adult to avoid dying." Chuberre, 2008, pp. 48–53. Boutonnat composed a rather pop music, which is quite rare for a sensitive theme.

Music video

1985 version

Production

The 1985 video, the first one shot in

cinemaScope CinemaScope is an anamorphic format, anamorphic lens series used, from 1953 to 1967, and less often later, for shooting widescreen films that, crucially, could be screened in theatres using existing equipment, albeit with a lens adapter. Its cr ...

was made by

who also wrote the screenplay. Farmer drew the storyboard of the video. This Movie Box / Laurent Boutonnat /

production with a 7:32 length cost about 330,000 francs (about 50,000 euros; the most expensive videoclip of 1985) and was shot for five days: four days at Studio Sets in

Stains A stain is an unwanted localized discoloration, often in fabrics or textiles. Stain(s) or The Stain(s) may also refer to: Color * Stain (heraldry), a non-standard tincture * Staining, in biology, a technique used to highlight contrast in samples ...

and the other one in Saint-Denis's cemetery. Boutonnat stated: "It is a co-production with Polygram. I went to see both the president of the group, Mr Levy, and that of Polydor. Both were seduced by the script and accepted the idea of shooting."
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Boutonnat managed to convince advertiser Stephan Sperry to contribute in the financing of the video. Jean-Pierre Sauvaire, film editor Agnès Mouchal, costume designer Corinne Sarfati and film director Francois Hanss were part of the technical team. Violet, 2004, pp. 65–67. Max Gautier, Farmer's father, also participated in the preparation of scenery, which included among other things a pond (also used in '' Ainsi soit je...'') and the dolls made by Farmer. Rambo Kolawski, who played the role of the rapist, has also appeared in the next video, "

Libertine A libertine is a person questioning and challenging most moral principles, such as responsibility or Human sexual activity, sexual restraints, and will often declare these traits as unnecessary, undesirable or evil. A libertine is especially som ...

". The instrumental "Cendres de Lune", available on the album of the same name, can be heard at the

opening credits In a motion picture, television program or video game, the opening credits or opening titles are shown at the very beginning and list the most important members of the production. They are now usually shown as text superimposed on a blank scree ...

. Cachin, 2006, pp. 196–99. Boutonnat tried to register himself with the National Center of Cinematography for the video was considered as a short film. Therefore, it was aired in the cinema in preview and was first seen in Kinopanorama cinema in Paris on 13 Novembre 1985. On television, it was broadcast for the first time on ''Platine 45'', on

Antenne 2 France 2 () is a French free-to-air public television channel. The flagship channel of France Télévisions, it broadcasts generalist programming including news, entertainment (such as dramas, films, and game shows), factual programmes, and sp ...

Plot

In the video, we see a woman, played by Farmer, in a cemetery pushing a pram who comes to meditate at her own

grave A grave is a location where a cadaver, dead body (typically that of a human, although sometimes that of an animal) is burial, buried or interred after a funeral. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of buria ...

. Then, in a house full of spiders' webs, a girl on her bed, also played by Farmer, mistreats her

doll A doll is a physical model, model typically of a human or humanoid character, often used as a toy for children. Dolls have also been used in traditional religious rituals throughout the world. Traditional dolls made of materials such as clay and ...

throwing it in all directions and drowning it in the water. While crying, she begs the

Virgin Mary Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under titles of Mary, mother of Jesus, various titles such as Perpetual virginity ...

to not grow and die. During her sleep, a man enters her room and rapes her, which she eventually agrees to (Farmer reveals one of her breasts). The next day, dwarfish nuns beat the girl giving kicks, then with a

knife A knife (: knives; from Old Norse 'knife, dirk') is a tool or weapon with a cutting edge or blade, usually attached to a handle or hilt. One of the earliest tools used by humanity, knives appeared at least Stone Age, 2.5 million years ago, as e ...

, the girl cuts the doll's limbs, turns on herself and becomes a very old woman. The video ends with the woman in the cemetery who puts a bunch on the grave and goes away.

Symbolism and reviews

About the video, Boutonnat explained that the young woman who is played by Farmer is "beset by religious fantasies mainly (...) and related primarily to the world of childhood. You know, all those little things that you are afraid when you are young. I tried to transcribe in my music video like that phosphorescent statue of animated virgin and the appearances of dwarfs". Journalist Caroline Bee said the theme of the video refers to the "passage from childhood to adolescence with what it involves of physical, but also psychological changes, (...) and new responsibilities, and sexuality". According to an analysis published in ''Instant-Mag'', the amputation of the doll is a "symbolism of the defilement" and is synonymous with a "childhood stolen". Writer and psychologist Hugues Royer declared that the rape is here the symbol of mourning forced of the early years. "Agreeing to become an adult goes with the acceptance of our inevitable end." Biographer Bernard Violet thinks the music video has several film references, including '' The Devils'' by

Ken Russell Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell (3 July 1927 – 27 November 2011) was a British film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. His films were mainly liberal adaptations of ...

, and '' Psycho'' by

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featu ...

. In France, the video was often censored and only broadcast in a shortened version, as it criticized religion and deals with death and sex. For example, French show ''Bonsoir les clips'', although being aired on the night, refused the video which it considered as "too morbid". On television, the scene of the rape as well as that of the evil dwarfish

nun A nun is a woman who vows to dedicate her life to religious service and contemplation, typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the enclosure of a monastery or convent.''The Oxford English Dictionary'', vol. X, page 5 ...

s were removed. Despite that, the video was much aired on television in 1985 and 1986 and received positive reviews. Magazines ''Charlie'' considered the music video as very "amazing", ''OK'' as "a true little masterpiece", and ''Salut'' said it has a "tortured atmosphere". Bee stated the "video is neat and the atmosphere is murky".

1990 version

For the live version, a video of the 1989 tour was made with new images from "Plus grandir"'s performance and choreography. The introduction was filmed at the same time as the not live images from " Allan", and shows the

monk A monk (; from , ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery. A monk usually lives his life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many reli ...

who opened the concert, in a hazy nature.

Critical reception

The song was generally very well received at the time by the media. ''Microsillon'' stated: "

t is T, or t, is the twentieth letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''tee'' (pronounced ), plural ''tees''. It is d ...

an impeccable record from a musical point of view; the simple lyrics are a refreshing breath". ''Paroles'' deemed this song "confirms the depth of the singer" and ''Podium'' said "the result is pure, moving (...). That may be naive, but far from being stupid". According to ''Télé Poche'', " armerlaunched with her sweet voice this moving prayer". For ''L'Evénement du jeudi'', " his songis perverse and morbid, but it is so exciting". and for ''Charlie'', "the disc is not bad at all". However, ''Paris Normandie'' considered that lyrics are not very audible. The 1985 studio version did not reach the French Top 50 Singles Charts ; however, in December 2017, it was released as a maxi vinyl and entered the chart at number 19, staying for three weeks in the top 200. The live single entered the chart on 19 May 1990 and stayed in the top 50 for seven weeks, peaking at number 35 on 16 June.

Promotion and live performances

After the single release, Farmer promoted the song in several television shows, performing in ''Ile de transe'' (31 October 1985, FR3 ; she also sang "

Maman a tort "Maman a tort" is a 1984 song recorded by French artist Mylène Farmer. It was the debut single from Farmer's first studio album '' Cendres de Lune'', and marked the beginning of her collaboration with her long-time composer, Laurent Boutonnat ...

"), ''Super Platine'' (

; she performed "

" too), ''Tapage nocturne'' (27 December 1985,

TF1 TF1 (; standing for ''Télévision Française 1'') is a French commercial television network owned by TF1 Group, controlled by the Bouygues conglomerate. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network. TF1 is part ...

), ''Hit des Clubs'' (January 1986,

RTL RTL may refer to: Media * RTL Group, a European TV, radio, and production company *** List of RTL Group's television stations (including part-owned channels) *** List of RTL Group's radio stations ** RTL Lëtzebuerg, usually referred to simply a ...

), ''L'Académie des 9'' (14 January 1986, Antenne 2), ''Citron Grenadine'' (

RTBF The ("Belgian Radio-television of the French Community"), shortened to RTBF (branded as rtbf.be), is a public broadcasting, public service broadcaster for the French Community of Belgium, French-speaking Community of Belgium. Its counterpart i ...

) and ''Azimuts'' (FR3 Lorraine; she also sang "Chloé"). "Plus grandir" was sung during the 1989 concert as second song of the show. Farmer then wore black veils, a white collar and small white socks, and performed a rhythmical choreography with two female dancers who reproduce the same gestures behind her. At the end of the song, the singer said "good evening" to the audience. The song was not performed during the next four concerts, as in 1995 Farmer said the theme of the song was no longer part of her concerns.

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of single releases of "Plus grandir":

Original version (1985)

* 7" single * 12" maxi * 7" single – Promo

Live mix version (1990)

* 7" single * 12" maxi / 12" maxi – Picture disc * CD maxi * 12" maxi – Promo * Digital download

Release history

Official versions

Credits and personnel

These are the credits and the personnel as they appear on the back of the single: * Mylène Farmer – lyrics * Laurent Boutonnat – music, production * Carole – demo * Bertrand Le Page and Toutankhamon – editions *

– recording company * J.P. Dumas Griller – photo (1985 version) * Marianne Rosentiehl – photo (1990 version)

Charts and sales

References

* * * * * * *

Notes

External links

*
Mylène Farmer — "Plus grandir"
All about the song, on ''Mylene.net'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Plus Grandir 1985 singles 1990 singles Mylène Farmer songs Songs with lyrics by Mylène Farmer Songs with music by Laurent Boutonnat Music videos directed by Laurent Boutonnat Live singles 1985 songs Polydor Records singles it:Plus grandir (Live)