XXL (Mylène Farmer song)

"XXL"
Single by Mylène Farmer
from the album Anamorphosée
B-side Remix
Released 19 September 1995
(see: release history)
Format CD single, CD maxi, 12" maxi
Genre Rock
Length 4:25 (single version)
Label Polydor
Writer(s) Lyrics: Mylène Farmer
Music: Laurent Boutonnat
Producer(s) Laurent Boutonnat
Mylène Farmer singles chronology
"Que mon cœur lâche"
(1993)		 "XXL"
(1995)		 "L'Instant X"
(1995)
Anamorphosée track listing
"Et Tournoie..."
(6)		 "XXL"
(7)		 "Rêver"
(8)

"XXL" is a 1995 song recorded by French singer-songwriter Mylène Farmer. The song was the lead single from her fourth studio album Anamorphosée and was released on 19 September 1995. It marked an important change in the singer's career, with more rock sonorities, easier lyrics to understand and a music video directed by a new producer. Although it entered directly to number-one on the French Singles Chart, it dropped quickly and achieved mixed success.

Background and writing

After the failure of the film Giorgino in 1993 in which she played, Farmer decided to live in Los Angeles in order to fall back into anonymity.[1] In 1995, she found the inspiration to write new songs by reading various books, including La Mort intime by French author Marie de Hennezel, and Le livre tibétain de la vie et de la mort.[2] She then asked to Laurent Boutonnat to join her in California to produce together a new album, Anamorphosée. However, following the failure of the 1993 film Giorgino, they decided to propose a Farmer's new public image and a new sound with rock and grunge sonorities. So, when the French channel M6 announced the name and the content of the first single, "XXL", that was a big surprise, since the album was not released yet then. Many fans did not expect a such musical change;[3] some of them decided to abandon the new universe proposed by the duo Farmer / Boutonnat, and a new public was won over.[4]

On 24 August 1995, a promotional format was sent to radio stations: it was composed of giant wrought iron letters 'XXL', designed by Henry Neu, with the CD. The CD single was released on 19 September 1995. The various remixed on the four formats are all produced by Laurent Boutonnat and Bertrand Châtenet.[4] It was Farmer's first single cover on which she did not appear (the second was later "L'Histoire d'une fée, c'est...").

Another remix, named 'UK remix', has been done about a year later, on "Rêver"'s CD maxi, by Richard Dekkard. As for the 'JXL remix', it was produced by the Dutch musician Junkie XL and features on the compilation RemixeS.

Lyrics and music

"XXL" is a feminist song in which Farmer sings love that all girls need, and claims it with the same "power of a prayer". For the first time, the message of her song is not universal, since it is exclusively for women.[5] She evokes all kinds of women: bourgeois, homeless, romantic, pessimistic, feminists, anti-abortion, great ladies, prostitutes, transsexuals, stars, women who are suffering or not from the AIDS virus.[6] The name of the song is a reference to the largest size in the American ready-to-wear.[7] Unlike most of the lyrics in songs written by Farmer, those of "XXL" are generally easy to understand.[8]

The song has very rock sonorities made by guitarist Jeff Dahlgren,[9] "electric guitars are ultra-present, the rhythm is more aggressive".[10] From its beginning, its rhythmic is very drive.

Music video

Mylène Farmer, hooked at the front of the 1910 locomotive used in Richard Attenborough's film Chaplin, wears a dress made by fashion designer Thierry Mugler.

Unlike Farmer's previous music videos, this one was not directed by Laurent Boutonnat, but by Marcus Nispel.[11] This Requiem Publishing production cost about 80,000 euros (230,000 euros, according to journalist Benoît Cachin[6]) and was shot for two days : one for Farmer, the other for the extras, in Fillmore, California,[12] on the Fillmore and Western Railway, in August 1995.[13] After an idea by Farmer, the video shows a 1910 locomotive being driven at high speed -this train was also used in a Richard Attenborough's film Chaplin-,[14] which is frequently interpreted as a symbol of the sexual intercourse.[15]

Producer Anouk Nora explained that some difficulties were met for the shooting: "The idea of putting the artist hanging in front of a moving train, it was unthinkable. Because the United States, they are a stickler on security issues." Thus, it was necessary to sign releases to allow the filming; moreover, Farmer was burned herself twice during the shooting.[16] For the shooting, the singer remained hung on this locomotive for nearly five hours under a 40-degree temperature and was scared because it ran sometimes very quickly. She wore a dress made by the French fashion designer Thierry Mugler.[17] No tricks were used, and according to author Erwan Chuberre, "the staging is firmly photographic", but there is "no screenplay". In the video, Farmer appears much more "glamorous and sophisticated woman" than before and "proudly proclaims her femininity".[10] It premiered on 18 September 1995 on M6.[18]

The music video for "XXL" was shot in Fillmore, California.

Shot in black and white,[19] the video features Farmer hung on at the front of a moving locomotive, filmed in an orange grove.[20] These images alternate with those of the train passengers who are very different from each other (social origin, race, age, marital status ...). The action probably takes place in the United States in the mid-twentieth century, as evidenced by the sets and costumes.[21]

Cover versions

The song was parodied in 1996 by Le Festival Roblès under the title "L'Amour en 4L",[22] and was covered by Rejane in 1998.[23] In 2009, Belgian singer Jonatan Cerrada made a come back in his singing career with an acoustic cover version of "XXL".[24] In 2010, Les Enfoirés recorded a cover of the song for their album La Crise de nerfs! ; the singers on this version are Amel Bent, Grégoire Boissenot, Hélène Segara, Lorie, Renan Luce and Lââm for the verses.[25]

Live performances

The song was never performed on television, but on the 1996, 2006 and 2009 concerts.

The song was the last one of the 1996 concert Live at Bercy. It began with the sound of a train and the scene was fumigated then. Farmer, raised on a hoist, wore an indented black outfit, and her dancers wore pants and a golden tank top.[26] The song was scheduled for the 2000 Mylenium Tour, but was finally rejected. During the 2006 series of concerts, the hall was fully blue when "XXL" was performed. The singer asked the audience to clap their hands, and at the end of the song, the refrain was repeated by Farmer and the audience.[27] The song was performed on the 2009 tour and Farmer wore a glittering short dress with red cape with hood; at one point, she caresses her guitarists from the torso until the crotch.[28]

Chart performances

On 23 September 1995, the single entered directly to number one on French Top 50 Singles Chart, recording for the single her third top charting single. However, the single fell quickly the next weeks. It remained for five weeks in the top ten and 12 weeks in the chart (top 50).[29] In 1995, it was the 42nd best-selling single of the year in France.[30] The song was also number one on French Airplay Chart.[31]

In Belgium (Wallonia), the single ranked on the Ultratop 50 chart for 14 weeks, from 7 October 1995 to 6 January 1996. It went straight into the top ten and reached a peak of number three for two non consecutive weeks. It totaled seven weeks in the top ten[32] and was the 36th best-selling single of 1995.[33]

"XXL" stayed on Swiss Singles Chart for ten weeks, from 15 October to 17 December 1995, including a peaked at number 11 on 5 November, then dropped. This peak position remains for Farmer her highest placement in Switzerland.[34]

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of single releases of "XXL":[35]

No.TitleLength
1."XXL" (single version)4:23
2."XXL" (no voice remix edit)4:20
No.TitleLength
1."XXL" (single version)4:23
2."XXL" (distorded dance mix)5:20
3."XXL" (extra large remix)5:02
4."XXL" (new remix edit)4:25
No.TitleLength
1."XXL" (single version)4:27
2."XXL" (extra large remix)5:06
3."XXL" (new remix edit)4:43
4."XXL" (distorded dance mix)5:19
5."XXL" (single dance mix)4:23
No.TitleLength
1."XXL" (extra large remix)5:02
2."XXL" (distorded dance mix)5:20
No.TitleLength
1."XXL" (single version)4:25
No.TitleLength
1."XXL" (German radio edit)3:54
2."XXL" (single version)4:25
No.TitleLength
1."XXL" (video)4:22

Official versions

Version[48] Length Album Remixed by Year Comment[6]
Album version 4:45 Anamorphosée,
Les Mots		 — 1995 See the previous sections
Single version 4:23 — Laurent Boutonnat 1995
No voice remix edit 4:20 — Laurent Boutonnat, Bertrand Châtenet 1995 It is an instrumental version with a remixed music, more techno and dance, and in which Farmer sings only "XXL".
Extra large remix 5:02 — Laurent Boutonnat, Bertrand Châtenet 1995 There are many voices at the beginning and several sighs. It is a rock and techno version devoted to the discothèques. Chorus are changed.
Distorded dance mix 5:20 — Laurent Boutonnat, Bertrand Châtenet 1995 This version adds dance sonorities, with numerous sighs.
New remix edit 4:25 — Laurent Boutonnat, Bertrand Châtenet 1995 This version adds dance sonorities, with numerous sighs.
Single dance mix 4:25 — Laurent Boutonnat, Bertrand Châtenet 1995 This version is similar to the 'no voice remix edit'.
New remix edit (Germany) 4:43 — Laurent Boutonnat, Bertrand Châtenet 1995 This is the same version than the 'New Remix Edit', but longer.
German radio edit 3:54 — Laurent Boutonnat, Bertrand Châtenet 1995 The introduction is shortened and electric guitar arrangement begins very promptly.
Music video 4:22 Music Videos II, Music Videos II & III — 1995
UK remix 9:00 — Richard Dekkard 1996 This is a techno version.
Live version
(recorded in 1996)		 7:25 Live à Bercy — 1996 The song begins with the sound of a locomotive and its rolling, then is followed by the introduction with more rock sounds than on the album. (see 1996 Tour)
JXL remix 6:06 RemixeS Junkie XL 2003 This is a disco version, with a 1:15 musical introduction.
Live version
(recorded in 2006)		 5:28 Avant que l'ombre... — 2006 See Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)
Live version
(recorded in 2009)		 4:30 N°5 on Tour — 2009 This version is similar to the one at the Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy concert series. (see Mylène Farmer en tournée)

Credits and personnel

These are the credits and the personnel as they appear on the back of the single:[35][49]

Charts and sales

Peak positions

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart[32] 3
French SNEP Singles Chart[29] 1
Swiss Singles Chart[34] 11

Year-end charts

Chart (1995) Position
Belgian Singles Chart[33] 36
French SNEP Singles Chart[30] 42

Sales

Country Certification Physical sales
France Should be Silver 120,000[50] 150,000[51] - 180,000[52]

Chart successions

Preceded by
"Scatman's World" by John Scatman		 French SNEP number-one single
23 September 1995 (1 week) 		Succeeded by
"You Are Not Alone" by Michael Jackson

Release history

Region Date Format
France, Belgium, Switzerland August 1995 Promo CD single,[44] VHS[47]
19 September 1995 CD single,[53] CD maxi,[54] 12" maxi[55]
Japan CD single[38]
Germany October 1995 CD maxi[42]

References

  • Bee, Caroline; Bioy, Antoine; Thiry, Benjamin (January 2006). Mylène Farmer, la part d'ombre (in French). L'Archipel. ISBN 2-84187-790-6. 
  • Cachin, Benoît (2006). Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer (in French). Tournon. ISBN 2-35144-000-5. 
  • Chuberre, Erwan (2007). L'Intégrale Mylène Farmer (in French). City. ISBN 978-2-35288-108-7. 
  • Chuberre, Erwan (2008). Mylène Farmer, phénoménale (in French). City. ISBN 978-2-35288-176-6. 
  • Chuberre, Erwan (18 June 2009). Mylène Farmer : Des mots sur nos désirs (in French). Alphée. ISBN 2-7538-0477-X. 
  • Khairallah, Sophie (2007). Mylène Farmer, le culte - L'envers du décor (in French). Why Not. ISBN 2-916611-25-8. 
  • Rajon, Florence (2005). Mylène Farmer de A à Z (in French). MusicBook. ISBN 2-84343-319-3. 
  • Royer, Hugues (2008). Mylène, biographie (in French). Spain: Flammarion. ISBN 978-2-35287-139-2. 
  • Violet, Bernard (2004). Mylène Farmer, biographie (in French). J'ai lu. ISBN 2-290-34916-X. 

Notes

  1. ↑ Habib, Élia (2002). Muz hit. tubes (in French). p. 330. ISBN 2-9518832-0-X.
  2. ↑ Rigal, Julien. "Discographie du single "XXL"" (in French). Sans-logique. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  3. ↑ Khairallah, 2007, p. 27.
  4. 1 2 "Mylène Farmer - "XXL" - Histoire du single" (in French). Mylene.net. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  5. ↑ Royer, 2008, p. 209.
  6. 1 2 3 Cachin, 2006, pp. 267-72.
  7. ↑ Przybylski, Eddy (16 July 1995). "Mylène en XXL". La Dernière Heure (in French). Brussels. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  8. ↑ Rajon, 2005, p. 101.
  9. ↑ Chuberre, 2007, pp. 305-06.
  10. 1 2 Chuberre, 2008, pp. 174-77.
  11. ↑ Gianorio, Richard (19 September 1995). "Mylène Farmer - Anamorphosée". France Soir (in French). Paris. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  12. ↑ "Interview of Mylène Farmer, on Paris Première, by Paul Amar" (in French). Dailymotion. 1996. Retrieved 15 January 2008.
  13. ↑ Royer, 2008, p. 92.
  14. ↑ Guillermet, Fabrice. "Mylène Farmer - Son étrange confession". Télé 7 Jours (in French). Levallois-Perret: Hachette Filipacchi Médias. 1849.
  15. ↑ Bee, Caroline; Brunet, Océane; Thiry, Benjamin; Parpette, Jennifer (2001). ""Fuck You" Acte 1". Instant-Mag (in French). Pantin: Tear Prod. 7: 6.
  16. ↑ Royer, 2008, p. 158.
  17. ↑ Violet, 2004, pp. 173-75.
  18. ↑ "Le nouveau clip de Mylène Farmer". Libération (in French). Paris: Libération SARL. 18 September 1995. Retrieved 23 March 2008.
  19. ↑ "Découvrez ce soir le nouveau clip de Mylène Farmer". Le Parisien (in French). Saint-Ouen: Éditions Philippe Amaury. 18 September 1995. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  20. ↑ Rigal, Julien. "Clip "XXL"" (in French). Sans-logique. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  21. ↑ Bee, 2006, p. 148.
  22. ↑ "Émission : Le festival Robles de 1995 à 2001 sur NRJ" (in French). Blog 90. 28 July 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  23. ↑ ""XXL", cover by Rejane" (in French). Sans-logique. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  24. ↑ Thierry Cadet (18 September 2009). "Jonatan Cerrada reprend "XXL" de Mylène Farmer" (in French). Chartsinfrance. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  25. ↑ "Les Enfoirés, La Crise de nerfs!, track listings and charts" (in French). Lescharts. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  26. ↑ Rigal, Julien. "Live à Bercy (1996) - Description du live" (in French). Sans-logique. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  27. ↑ Rigal, Julien. "Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (2006) - Description du live" (in French). Sans-logique. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
  28. ↑ Royer, 2008, p. 342.
  29. 1 2 "Mylène Farmer — "XXL", French Singles Chart" (in French). Lescharts. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
  30. 1 2 "Classement Singles - année 1995" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
  31. ↑ "Mylène Farmer en XXL". Vamp Canada (in French). 1995.
  32. 1 2 "Mylène Farmer — "XXL", Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 3 January 2007.
  33. 1 2 "Rapports Annuels 1995 — Singles" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on April 14, 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
  34. 1 2 "Mylène Farmer — "XXL", Swiss Singles Chart" (in German). Hitparade. Retrieved 5 December 2007.
  35. 1 2 "Mylène Farmer - "XXL" - Supports" (in French). Mylene.net. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  36. ↑ XXL (Black CD-one Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 577 152-2.
  37. ↑ XXL (Gilt CD-one Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 577 152-2.
  38. 1 2 XXL (Japan CD-one Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. PODP 1121.
  39. ↑ XXL (Japan Promo CD-one Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. PODP 1121.
  40. ↑ XXL (Maxi CD Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 577 153-2.
  41. ↑ XXL (Digipack Maxi CD Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 577 153-2.
  42. 1 2 XXL (German Maxi CD Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 577 391-2.
  43. ↑ XXL (7-inch Vinyl liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 577 153-1.
  44. 1 2 XXL (Promo CD-one Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 3197.
  45. ↑ XXL (Promo CD-one Single (wrought iron) liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 3197.
  46. ↑ XXL (German Promo CD-one Single liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995. 3197.
  47. 1 2 XXL (VHS liner notes) (in French). Mylène Farmer. Polydor. 1995.
  48. ↑ "Mylène Farmer - "XXL" - Versions" (in French). Mylene.net. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  49. ↑ "Mylène Farmer - "XXL" - Crédits" (in French). Mylene.net. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  50. ↑ Royer, 2008, p. 357.
  51. ↑ Cachin, 2006, p. 268.
  52. ↑ Salut! (in French): 4. November 1995. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  53. ↑ ""XXL" [CD Single]" (in French). Amazon.fr. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  54. ↑ ""XXL", Mylène Farmer. CD maxi single. Paru le 19 septembre 1995" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  55. ↑ ""XXL" [EP]" (in French). Amazon.fr. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
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