Les Mots (album) explained

Les mots
Type:Greatest hits
Artist:Mylène Farmer
Cover:Lesmots.jpg
Released:26 November 2001
Genre:Pop, rock, dance
Length:139:59
Label:Polydor
Producer:Laurent Boutonnat
Prev Title:Mylenium Tour
Prev Year:2000
Next Title:RemixeS
Next Year:2003

Les mots is the first compilation by French singer Mylène Farmer, released on 26 November 2001. It contains most of the singer's hits and three new songs. It was certified diamond in France.

Background and release

In 2001, rumours circulated that Farmer's next album would be another remix compilation, or acoustic reworkings of her hits. Instead, Les mots was announced as a typical best of, preceded by the release of the single of the same name, Farmer's first duet with an international artist. The album was released throughout Europe on 28 November 2001.

The album includes nearly all of Farmer's French-language studio singles from "Maman a tort" through "L'Histoire d'une fée, c'est...", omitting "On est tous des imbéciles" (due to licensing issues). "My Mum Is Wrong", the English version of "Maman a tort", is also excluded, while "My Soul Is Slashed", the English version of "Que mon cœur lâche", appears only on the collector's edition. The live singles "Allan" and "La Poupée qui fait non" are likewise excluded. It also contains several B-sides (two on the standard edition, four on the deluxe; "L'Annonciation" and "Dernier sourire" were also omitted due to licensing issues) and three new songs. The standard 2CD edition totals 30 tracks, while the 3CD collector's edition totals 33, plus a DVD including the title track's music video.

The booklet includes photographs of Farmer in suggestive positions wearing pearly stockings, pink panties and a silk nightgown, taken from a photoshoot by Ellen von Unwerth on a budget of €67,000.[1] [2] Notably, Farmer is seen smiling and laughing in the photos, unlike in previous shoots.[3]

Critical reception

Les mots was generally well received by contemporary musical critics and media. According to La Libre Belgique, the Farmer's work is "synthesized in a superb way" in this album. This compilation also "gives an idea of the real musical evolution" of the artist.[4] The Swiss newspaper Le Matin described this album as "a superb compilation" and "a 'must' in the matter", containing "many hits", with "provocative" images.[5] The French magazine Flèches Cool said that this album is an "imposing best of with 27 tracks, all very well known and appreciated by a wide public".[6] Télé Star praised the first CD, saying it contains hits with "unstoppable melody", "flights of strings", and "tortured or sexy words", while it criticized the second CD, that "testifies the frayed inspiration of the singer".[7] As for Voici, "this double album stands out".[8]

Commercial performance

The album reached the highest position in France and Belgium since its release.[9] According to France Soir and La Lanterne, 670,000 copies of this album were sold in the first month in France,[10] [11] and 700,000 in the two first months, according to Jukebox.[12]

In France, the best of debuted at #1 on Top Compilations on 1 December 2001 and remained there for 6 consecutive weeks. It appeared in the Top 10 for 39 weeks. It was ranked on this chart over one year, thanks to the release of the two new songs "C'est une belle journée" and "Pardonne-moi".[13] It was the best-selling compilation in 2001[14] and 2002.[15]

In Belgium, the album went straight to #2 on 12 December 2001, and then became number 1 for four weeks. It remained in the Top 10 for 15 weeks and in the Top 40 for 43 weeks.[16] The album featured at #28 and #14 on the 2001[17] and 2002[18] end of year chart.

In Switzerland, the album got its highest position when it entered at # 6, on 12 December 2001, and remained on the chart (Top 100) for 38 weeks.[19]

The best of won the World Platinum Award. It was certified Diamond in France,[20] 2×Platinum in Belgium, and Gold in Switzerland.

Track listing

All music is written by Laurent Boutonnat and all lyrics by Mylène Farmer, except where noted.

Collector's edition

This edition moves the new recordings and B-sides to the third disc, along with two additional B-sides and an additional single.

International edition

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001)Peak
position
European Albums (Music & Media)[21] 98
French Compilations (SNEP)[22] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[23] 28
Belgian Francophone Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[24] 15
French Compilations (SNEP)[25] 1
Chart (2002)Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] 14
Belgian Francophone Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[27] 10
French Compilations (SNEP)[28] 1
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[29] 55
Chart (2003)Position
French Compilations (SNEP)[30] 4

Formats

(1) Contains also a third CD
(2) Only one CD with 16 songs

Notes and References

  1. Virgin Mega Press, February 2002 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  2. Mylène Farmer, le culte – L'envers du décor, Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 58
  3. Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 167-168
  4. La Libre Belgique, 12 December 2001 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  5. Le Matin, 17 December 2001, "Les bas de Mylène", Ch. F. Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  6. Flèches Cool, 2 March 2002, "Les Mots" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  7. Télé Star, No. 1323, 9–15 February 2002 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  8. Voici, February 2002 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  9. La Dernière Heure, 4 December 2001, "Farmer mène la bal...", L.L. Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  10. France Soir, 15 January 2002, "Ces chansons qui valent des millions", C.P. Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  11. La Lanterne, 16 January 2002, "Farmer, 10,4 millions d'€" Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  12. Jukebox, No. 179, June 2002 Devant-soi.com (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  13. "Les Mots", French SNEP Compilations Chart Ifop.com (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  14. 2001 French Compilations Chart Ifop.com (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  15. 2002 French Compilations Chart Ifop.com (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  16. "Les Mots", Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  17. 2001 Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  18. 2002 Belgian Albums Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  19. "Les Mots", Swiss Albums Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  20. Mylène Farmer certifications Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  21. 15 December 2001. European Top 100 Albums. Music & Media. 7 December 2022. 19. 51. 12.
  22. Web site: Les "Charts Runs" de chaque Album Classé. InfoDisc. French. 19 June 2016.
  23. Web site: Rapports annueles 2001. Ultratop. French. 19 June 2016.
  24. Web site: Rapports annueles 2001 - albums francophones. Ultratop. French. 19 June 2016.
  25. Web site: Classement Compilations - année 2001. SNEP. 19 June 2016. French. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011123134/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2001&type=3. 11 October 2012.
  26. Web site: Rapports annueles 2002. Ultratop. French. 19 June 2016.
  27. Web site: Rapports annueles 2002 - albums francophones. Ultratop. French. 19 June 2016.
  28. Web site: Classement Compilations - année 2002. SNEP. 19 June 2016. French. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011123134/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2002&type=3. 11 October 2012.
  29. Web site: Swiss Year-end Charts 2002 . Hung Medien . 19 June 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160402134256/http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2002 . 2 April 2016 .
  30. Web site: Classement Compilations - année 2003. SNEP. 19 June 2016. French. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011123134/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2003&type=3. 11 October 2012.