Libertine (song)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"Libertine" is a 1986 song recorded by the French artist Mylène Farmer. Third single from her first studio album Cendres de Lune, the song was released on April 1 1986. It was particularly known for its huge music video, produced as a film and which contains explicit sexual and violent scenes. It met success on the French chart, becoming thus Farmer's first big hit. In 2002, the song was successfully covered by Kate Ryan, who reached the top 20 in several European countries.
"Libertine", the first single released from the album in March '86, set the tone for the whole Mylène Farmer style. Farmer’s sensual, romantic lyrics (which she wrote herself) were very much inspired by the great figures of 19th century literature and set to sophisticated melodies (written by Boutonnat). Boutonnat also took charge of directing Farmer’s videos, imposing his distinctive style on them. The video which accompanied "Libertine", for instance, is heavily charged with 18th century eroticism (conjuring up images of the film Barry Lyndon and the novels of the Marquis de Sade). Farmer, lit only in the glow of soft candlelight, is shrouded in an aura of mystery and sexual ambiguity. (This mysterious erotic ambience would continue to be the singer’s trademark throughout the rest of her career, infusing the following videos "Tristana" and "Sans contrefaçon").
