View source for Avant que l'ombre...

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Avant que l'ombre...
| type         = [[Album]]
| artist       = [[Mylène Farmer]]
| cover        = Avantombre.jpg
| border       = yes
| released     = 4 April 2005
| recorded     = 2004–2005
| studio       = Studio Guillaume Tell ([[Suresnes]])
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Synthpop]]|[[pop rock]]}}
| length       = 71:01
| label        = [[Polydor]]
| producer     = [[Laurent Boutonnat]]
| prev_title   = [[Remixes (Mylène Farmer album)|RemixeS]]
| prev_year    = 2003
| next_title   = [[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy]]
| next_year    = 2006
| misc         = {{Extra album cover
 | header  = Alternate cover
 | type    = Studio album
 | cover   = Avant_que_l'ombre..._(collector).JPG
 | border  =
 | alt     =
 | caption = Collector edition
}}
{{Singles
 | name        = Avant que l'ombre...
 | type        = Studio album
 | single1     = [[Fuck Them All]]
 | single1date = 14 March 2005
 | single2     = [[Q.I]]
 | single2date = 4 July 2005
 | single3     = [[Redonne-moi]]
 | single3date = 2 January 2006
 | single4     = [[L'amour n'est rien...]]
 | single4date = 27 March 2006
 | single5     = [[Peut-être toi]]
 | single5date = 21 August 2006
}}
}}
'''''Avant que l'ombre...''''' ([[English language|English]]: Before the Shadow) is the sixth studio album by French pop singer-songwriter [[Mylène Farmer]], released on 4 April 2005, through the label [[Polydor Records|Polydor]]. Lyrics were written by Mylene herself and production was supervised by [[Laurent Boutonnat]]. The albums' genres mainly consist of [[synth-pop]], [[French pop music|french-pop]], [[Gothic pop|gothic-pop]], [[Electronic music|electronic]] and [[pop rock]]. The album deals with overt themes and lyrics of [[love]], [[spirituality]], [[faith]], [[Identity formation|identity]], [[self-reflection]], and [[solitude]]. 

Upon release, the album did well commercially; however, its critical reception varies from many mixed reviews. The album debuted at number one on the [[SNEP|French Albums Chart]] and held the top spot for several weeks. It was certified [[Music recording certification|diamond]] in [[France]] by the [[SNEP]] (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique), signifying over 750,000 copies sold, and eventually exceeded 1 million sales worldwide. The album also charted in [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]]) and [[Switzerland]], reinforcing Farmer’s strong presence in [[Francophonie|Francophone]] countries. Despite its relatively introspective tone and slower tempo compared to her earlier, more dance-oriented works, it resonated deeply with fans. Critics gave the album mixed to positive reviews, with praise for its lyrical depth, polished production, and Farmer’s haunting vocal style. The project also gained attention due to its elaborate promotion, including the announcement of a [[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy|highly anticipated concert residency]] at Paris-Bercy, her first live performances since 1996.

The album produced five singles, each achieving notable chart success in [[France]] and other Francophone regions. The lead single, “[[Fuck Them All]]" debuted at number two on the [[SNEP|French Singles Chart]] and was certified [[Music recording certification|silver]] in France. “[[Q.I (song)|Q.I]]” the second single, reached number seven in France and was the most broadcast French-language song worldwide in 2005.  The third single, “[[Redonne-moi]]" a slow ballad, peaked at number seven in France. “[[L'amour n'est rien...|L’amour n’est rien…]]” achieved significant success in France, peaking at number seven, and was notably one of the most played songs in [[Russia]] in 2006.  The final single, “[[Peut-être toi]]” reached number three in France and featured an anime-style music video directed by [[Naoki Kusumi|Naoko Kusumi]], which was selected for competition at the [[Anima Mundi (event)|Anima Mundi International Animation Festival]].  Collectively, these singles reinforced Farmer’s enduring popularity and showcased her willingness to experiment with diverse musical and visual styles.

== Background and release ==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#EBC2AE; color:black; width:35em; max-width: 50%;" cellspacing="2"
| style="text-align: left;" | 
[[File:Cquote1.svg|10px]]''Avant que l'ombre... je sais, ne s'abatte à mes pieds''<br />
''Je sais que, je sais que... j'ai aimé''[[File:cquote2.png|10px]]<br />
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | — Refrain from "Avant que l'ombre..." that appears on the digipack
|}
"Avant que l'ombre" marked Farmer's longest break between studio albums, following "Innamoramento" by exactly six years. As such, the album was, perhaps, the most anticipated of her career. {{Editorializing|date=April 2024}}Rumours of the disc began circulating in 2003 when it was revealed that Universal was planning a new release of Farmer for the fourth quarter; however the project turned out to be Farmer's second remix album. By the end of 2004, Universal's President Pascal Nègre confirmed that Farmer would release an album in the following months, stating then that it would be a [[double album]]. Persistent rumours continued to circulate including the possibility of [[duet]]s with artists such as [[Benjamin Biolay]], [[Diam's]] and [[Lara Fabian]].<ref>''Star Academy'', May 2002, "Quand Fabian rencontre Farmer..." [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2002/Star_academy_052002.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 22 March 2008)</ref>

In December 2004,<ref>"Platine", 2005, "Mylène Farmer&nbsp;— L'intimité dans l'immensité" [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013823/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/platine_6.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> Farmer held a major press conference with longtime collaborator Laurent Boutonnat in which she confirmed the upcoming release of the album, including the title, and announced a series of concerts to coincide at Paris Bercy. After several postponements, the album's release was pinned for 4 April 2005. Contrary to Nègre's previous comments, the album was a single disc with 14 titles, which remains the largest number of songs on a Farmer album, and an additional hidden track entitled "Nobody Knows". On this album, Farmer abandoned the American musicians who had previously worked with her since ''[[Anamorphosée]]'', and reunited with several musicians with whom she had worked in her early career.<ref name="L'intégrale">''L'Intégrale Mylene Farmer'', Erwan Chuberre, 2007, City Ed., p. 47-49 ({{ISBN|978-2-35288-108-7}})</ref>

The digipack version, first limited to 2,000 units, is composed of the CD and a [[DVD]] containing the [[making-of]] of the music video for "[[Fuck Them All]]" with commentaries by director Augustin Villaronga. The album was produced in a [[triptych]] version, with a central section that unfolds itself in the shape of a cross to discover the booklet in which the order of the lyrics is not the same as that of the songs. The refrain's lyrics of the eponymous song is put forward within the digipack. The various photographs of the booklet were directed by Dominique Isserman,<ref>"Platine", No. 121 [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013823/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/platine_121_p2.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> and cost about 85,000 euros.<ref name="Le culte, p. 58">''Mylène Farmer, le culte&nbsp;— L'envers du décor'', Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 58</ref> Isserman also made the cover's photo, on which Farmer appears lengthened, "asleep as [[Sleeping Beauty]] on an ochre and shades of red background". Around the neck, she is wearing a cross made with two matches.<ref name="Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 48">''Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer'', Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 48</ref>

On 28 March, a competition organized by the [[NRJ]] radio allowed the winners to listen to the album in its entirety alongside Pascal Nègre and Mylène Farmer.<ref name="Le culte, p. 99">''Mylène Farmer, le culte&nbsp;— L'envers du décor'', Sophie Khairallah, 2007, Why Not Ed., p. 99</ref> The Virgin megastore and the [[Fnac]] ot{{Clarify|date=March 2016}} the [[Champs Elysées]]<ref>''L'Humanité'', 4 April 2005, "La femme du jour: Mylène Farmer", Anne-Sophie Stamane [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/L'humanite_04042005.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> also organized a special deal with album's sales after midnight. The album was released twice: first on 4 April in the collector version, and then on 18 April in the traditional version for the general public.<ref>"Avant que l'ombre... Nouvelle énigme Farmer" [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/mih_341_01.04.2005.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref>

The album was supported by a series of 13 concerts at [[Paris-Bercy]] in January 2006.

== Lyrics and music ==
According to [[Laurent Boutonnat]], ''Avant que l'ombre...'' is more [[Acoustic music|acoustic]] and [[Electronic music|electronic]] than the previous ones he had produced.<ref>''Ouest-France'' (Alençon Orne-Est), December 18,19, 2004, "Mylène Farmer annonce son retour", Michel Troadec [http://milenia.ifrance.com/html/of041218.htm Milenia.ifrance.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720154642/http://milenia.ifrance.com/html/of041218.htm |date=20 July 2008 }} (Retrieved 22 February 2008)</ref><ref>''La Dépêche'', 4 April 2005, "Mylène Farmer sort enfin de l'ombre" [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/La_depeche_04042005.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> A newspaper said: "The style is the same, but the sounds evolve: more acoustic sounds mixed with electro and keyboards. Farmer sings with a voice more natural than usual".<ref>''Zoprack'', 2005, "Avant que l'ombre" [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/inconnu_2005.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref>{{Better citation needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=April 2024}} ''Ouest France'' stated that the album is "a continuation of the singer's discography", but with a "certain calm in the prose" and a "majority of ballads".<ref name="Ouest France">"Ouest France", 5 April 2005, "Dans le monde sensuel de Mylène Farmer", Michel Troadec [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/Ouest_France_050412.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> In this album, Farmer's voice is "filled with softness and fragility". For one of the first time, she sings in low notes.<ref name="L'intégrale"/>

On this album, "Boutonnat opens his production to new instruments": the [[clarinet]] (on "[[Redonne-moi]]") and the [[vibraphone]] (on "[[Avant que l'ombre... (song)|Avant que l'ombre...]]").<ref name="Jukebox">"Mylène Farmer, l'icône", ''Jukebox'', n°253, p. 8 [http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2008/02-2008-JUKEBOX-N253-5.jpg Devant-soi.com]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (Retrieved 13 May 2008)</ref>

The album deals with the "apprehension of a woman facing the death with after all the satisfaction to have loved".<ref name="Ouest France"/> It mainly talks of sex, death and religion.<ref>"Mylène Farmer fidèle à elle-même", 5 April 2005, Sébastien Catroux [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013823/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/actu01_050405.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> The lyrics are "slightly disturbing", "sometimes important", and there is some "humor".<ref>"Chanson&nbsp;— La Fée Mylène", 5 May 2005 [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013823/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/ml_05052005.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> About the album content, Farmer said: "I very selfishly continue to talk about me, my shadows, my lights".<ref>''Télé Cable Satellite'' No. 769, 24 January 2005, "Un nouvel album après 5 ans de silence&nbsp;— Mylène Farmer sort de l'ombre" [http://milenia.ifrance.com/html/tc769myl.htm Milenia.ifrance.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723175511/http://milenia.ifrance.com/html/tc769myl.htm |date=23 July 2008 }} (Retrieved 22 February 2008)</ref><ref>''TV Hebdo'', 2 January 2005, "Et Mylène a souri..." [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/Tv_Hebdo_020105.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref>

== Critical reception ==
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r741930|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review]</ref>
}}
The [[journalist]] Benoît Cachin considered that ''Avant que l'ombre...'' was less sophisticated than Farmer's previous albums. He said that among the subjects tackled are religion, literature, sexuality, a hope for a better life, a happy love, revolt, dream and self-mockery. Although he deemed the album "consistent and uniform", he added that it is confusing due to the "particularly abstruse" lyrics, including many [[pun]]s and literary references unknown to the general public.<ref name="Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 48"/>

Some critics thought the album did not contain any big surprises: "Farmer's voice is still light, fragile, sometimes quavering" to better evoke emotion. The [[piano]] gives the tempo but the [[String section|strings]] dominate to create "a labyrinthine atmosphere". Caroline Bee believes that the album is too similar to the previous ones and lacks innovation.<ref>''Mylène Farmer&nbsp;— La part d'ombre'', Caroline Bee, Antoine Bioy & Benjamin Thiry, 2005, Archipel Ed., p. 369</ref> The album is a "distressing repetition of her old hits" (''Actu02'').<ref>''Actu02'', 5 April 2005 [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/actu02_050429.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> "Disappointing", with "ethereal chords", "songs stretched and similar" (''Télé Star'').<ref>''Télé Star'', 5 May 2005 [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/actu02_050518.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> "Her album is not revolutionary. (...) Certain chords are even fuddy-duddy. (...) A mixed success" (''Télé 2 Semaines'').<ref>''Télé 2 Semaines'', 25 April 2005, "Mylène Farmer sort de l'album" [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/tele_2_semaine_250405.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> "Nothing is very surprising nor really new. Always this voice on the wire, at the edge of the crack. Always this dark romanticism bathed in mystical, erotic, and morbid image more or less woolly" (''Le Journal du dimanche'').<ref>''Le Journal du dimanche'', January 2006, "''Avant que l'ombre...''", Éric Mandel [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2006/le_journal_du_dimanche_012006.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 23 March 2008)</ref>

According to ''[[Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone]]'', this album has a "great sweetness" but "ultimately suffers from a major flaw: it is the sixth album of an artist from whom everyone expects too much".<ref>''Rolling Stone'', March 2005</ref> On the whole, the album was well received in the media, particularly by the French newspaper ''[[Le Monde]]''<ref name="Jukebox"/> which stated: "The singularity of the musical and thematic universe of Mylène Farmer, is not overturned, but refined. (...) The whole aims to a luminous power. (...) [In the lyrics], Mylène Farmer is calmer, almost beaming, melancholy with a smile". ''[[Voici]]'' qualified ''Avant que l'ombre...'' as an "intimate album" and underlined the "quality of the lyrics".

The album was rewarded with the title "Best Album of the Year" in 2005 at [[NRJ Music Awards]].

== Commercial performance ==
In France, ''Avant que l'ombre...'' became the singer's fifth number-one album, debuting atop the [[SNEP|French Albums Chart]] with nearly 150,000 (Gold) units sold in the first week.<ref>"Platine", No. 121, p.11 [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405013824/http://www.devant-soi.com/Monde-de-Myl%E8ne/presse/articles-presse/2005/platine_121_p11.jpg Devant-soi.com] (Retrieved 20 March 2008)</ref> Although Farmer did not promote the album, it remained at number one for three non-consecutive weeks, alternating with [[Grégory Lemarchal]]'s album, ''[[Je deviens moi]]''. ''Avant que l'ombre...'' logged in more than two months in the top ten, and 23 consecutive weeks in the top 50 before sliding down the chart later in autumn, which partially resulted from the six-month difference between the release of the second and the third singles. It re-entered in the top 20 in January after an intense advertising campaign, an interview on [[TF1]] and the [[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|concerts at Bercy]]. The album ultimately logged a total of 77 weeks on the album chart.<ref name="Lescharts">"Avant que l'ombre...", French Albums Chart [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Avant+que+l%27ombre%2E%2E%2E&cat=a Lescharts.com] (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref> In spite of a good chart trajectory, the album did not reach the sales of Farmer's previous studio albums, which were all million plus sellers in France. The album was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Platinum]],<ref name="Chartsinfrance">Mylène Farmer certifications [https://archive.today/20121220191850/http://www.chartsinfrance.net/certifications/artiste-850.html Chartsinfrance.net] (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref> then [[Music recording sales certification|Double platinum]] on 6 July 2006.<ref name="Disqueenfrance">{{cite web |title=Certifications Albums Double Platine - année 2006 |url=http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2006&type=13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130102104905/http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259165-CERTIFICATIONS.html?year=2006&type=13 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2013 |publisher=Disqueenfrance |language=fr |access-date=9 August 2010 }}</ref> It was the eighth best-selling album of 2005 in France.<ref name="Ifop">2005 French Albums Chart [http://www.ifop.com/europe/sondages/DISCANNU/albums05.stm Ifop.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207014024/http://www.ifop.com/europe/sondages/discannu/albums05.stm |date=7 December 2008 }} (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref>

In Belgium (Wallonia), the album also debuted at number one on 16 April and remained there for six consecutive before being dislodged by [[Raphaël Haroche|Raphaël]]'s ''Caravane''. The album remained in the top ten for fourteen consecutive weeks. As in France, the album experienced a resurgence, thought less pronounced, in early 2006.<ref name="Ultratop">"Avant que l'ombre...", Belgian (Wallonia) Albums Chart [https://www.ultratop.be/fr/album/4261/Mylene-Farmer-Avant-que-l'ombre... Ultratop.be] (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref> The album logged a total of 31 non-consecutive weeks on the Belgium album chart and was certified [[Music recording sales certification|Gold album]].<ref name="UltratopC">Mylène Farmer's album certification [http://www.ultratop.be/fr/weekchart.asp?year=2005&date=20050416&cat=a Ultratop.be] (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref> The album ranked number five on the 2005 year-end chart.<ref name="Ultratop2">2005 Belgian Albums Chart [http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2005&cat=a Skynet.be] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224160435/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2005&cat=a |date=24 December 2008 }} (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref>

In Switzerland, the album debuted at number two on 17 April, then dropped quickly and fell off the top 100 after 11 weeks.<ref name="Hitparade">"Avant que l'ombre...", Swiss Albums Chart [http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Avant+que+l%27ombre%2E%2E%2E&cat=a Hitparade.ch] (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref>

In non-Francophone Belgium (Flanders), the album had a peak at number 48 on 23 April 2005.<ref name="UltratopF">"Avant que l'ombre...", Belgian (Flanders) Albums Chart [https://www.ultratop.be/nl/album/4261/Mylene-Farmer-Avant-que-l'ombre... Ultratop.be] (Retrieved 1 February 2008)</ref>

== Track listing ==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! # !! Title !! Length !! Performance(s) on tour(s) !! TV performance(s)  !! Comment<ref name="Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer, Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 25,26,48,49,81,82,84,101,102,136,179,199,200,254,255">''Le Dictionnaire des Chansons de Mylène Farmer'', Benoît Cachin, 2006, Tournon Ed., p. 25, 26, 48, 49, 81, 82, 84, 101, 102, 136, 179, 199, 200, 254, 255</ref>
|-
|1
|"[[Avant que l'ombre... (song)|Avant que l'ombre...]]"
|5:55
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|No
|<small>See main article "[[Avant que l'ombre... (single)|Avant que l'ombre...]]"</small>
|-
|2
|"[[Fuck Them All]]"
|4:32
|{{bulleted list|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]|[[Mylène Farmer en tournée|En tournée]]|[[Mylène Farmer 2019|Live 2019]]}}
|No
|<small>See main article "[[Fuck Them All]]"</small>
|-
|3
|"Dans les rues de Londres"
|3:50
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|No
|This song is a tribute to [[Virginia Woolf]], a British writer whose novels ''[[Mrs. Dalloway]]'' and ''The Wave'' and the letter she wrote to her husband just before her suicide are evoked in the lyrics. The themes of life, death, love are tackled.
The song was considered by fans as one of the best tracks on the album,{{citation needed|date=March 2012}} and rumors had announced its release as the fifth single from the album.
|-
|4
|"[[Q.I]]"
|5:20
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|No
|<small>See main article "[[Q.I]]"</small>
|-
|5
|"[[Redonne-moi]]"
|4:22
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|''Symphonic Show'', [[France 2]], 12 November 2005
|<small>See main article "[[Redonne-moi]]"</small>
|-
|6
|"Porno graphique"
|4:16
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|No
|The song, full of [[pun]]s and with esoteric words, deals with themes related to sexual practices, and is a praise of [[sexual freedom]]. In the words, Farmer cites the words of a journalist who had qualified as "porno chic" the photos in the booklet of the best of ''[[Les Mots (Mylène Farmer album)|Les Mots]]''. At the end of the song, Farmer sighs, and then says without singing: "T'as pas un p'tit Mojito ?", before bursting out laughing.
|-
|7
|"Derrière les fenêtres"
|4:02
|No
|No
|Hard to understand, the text seems to be a tribute to unknown people who remain in the shadows.
|-
|8
|"Aime"
|4:32
|No
|No
|This song is a tribute to [[Serge Gainsbourg]], whose vocabulary, puns and techniques it uses. It also cites the title of a 1969 song written by Gainsbourg: "L'Anamour".<br />
In this [[Western esotericism|esoteric]] text, Farmer evokes her passionate love that makes her suffer, and for the first time, she specifies the location of this memory of love, namely [[Palermo]].<br />
The music resembles that of "[[C'est une belle journée]]".
|-
|9
|"Tous ces combats"
|4:00
|No
|No
|This [[ballad]] touches on the interior fightings which Farmer is forced to face. She also declares she expects the love that will enable her to be more serene.
This text refers to a work by [[Paul Verlaine]], ''Les Poèmes saturniens'', one of whose sections is entitled "Mélancholia" (a term used in the refrain of the song).
|-
|10
|"Ange, parle-moi"
|3:40
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|No
|In the song, Farmer addresses an [[angel]] asking him of not dying. She seems to make reference to [[Satan]], his pride and greed in the couplet.
|-
|11
|"[[L'amour n'est rien...]]"
|5:03
|{{bulleted list|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]|[[Mylène Farmer en tournée|En tournée]]}}
|No
|<small>See main article "[[L'amour n'est rien...]]"</small>
|-
|12
|"J'attends"
|5:20
|No
|No
|In this optimistic song, Farmer confesses she is happy to be in love, but nonetheless she expects that love will take her away and overcome her in a very close relationship.
|-
|13
|"[[Peut-être toi]]"
|4:45
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|No
|<small>See main article "[[Peut-être toi]]"</small>
|-
|14
|"Et Pourtant..."
|4:35
|[[Timeless (Mylène Farmer)|Timeless]]
|No
|In this song, Farmer refers to the fact that she will die sooner or later, but she seems to be relieved to have known love, although she suffers.<br />
The singer performs many notes in very high tones and the music is very sweet, putting forward the singer's voice. It is the most acoustic song of the album.<br />
The song, originally scheduled to be performed during the [[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 concerts]], was eventually rejected. Farmer performed the song during her Timeless 2013 tour, then dressed in a red sleeveless top, red pants covered with a red Charon in front and in the back.
|-
|14<sup>1</sup>
|"Nobody Knows"
|4:43
|[[Avant que l'ombre... à Bercy (tour)|2006 tour]]
|No
|Lyrics are not easy to understand. According to Cachin, the music is both melancholy and worrying.
|}

<sup>1</sup> Hidden song

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Initial weekly chart performance for ''Avant que l'ombre...''
! scope="col" | Chart (2005)
! scope="col" | Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|48|artist=Mylène Farmer|album=Avant que l'ombre...|rowheader=true|accessdate=20 June 2016|refname=belgf}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|1|artist=Mylène Farmer|album=Avant que l'ombre...|rowheader=true|accessdate=20 June 2016|refname=belgw}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[European Top 100 Albums|European Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="eu">{{cite magazine|date=23 April 2005|title=Billboard Eurocharts|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2005/BB-2005-04-23.pdf|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=117|issue=17|page=41|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
| 14
|-
{{album chart|France|1|artist=Mylène Farmer|album=Avant que l'ombre...|rowheader=true|accessdate=20 June 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|2|artist=Mylène Farmer|album=Avant que l'ombre...|rowheader=true|accessdate=20 June 2016}}
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2021 weekly chart performance for ''Avant que l'ombre...''
! scope="col" | Chart (2021)
! scope="col" | Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|4|artist=Mylène Farmer|album=Avant que l'ombre...|rowheader=true|accessdate=12 December 2022|refname=Wallonia2021}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|19|artist=Mylène Farmer|album=Avant que l'ombre...|rowheader=true|accessdate=20 June 2016|refname=Switzerland2021}}
|-
! scope="row" | Swiss Albums ([[GfK Entertainment charts|Gfk]] [[Romandy]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lescharts.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Avant+que+l%27ombre%2E%2E%2E&cat=a|title=Mylène Farmer - Avant que l'ombre...|publisher=Hung Medien|language=fr|access-date=12 December 2022}}</ref>
| 5
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2005 year-end chart performance for ''Avant que l'ombre...''
! scope="col" | Chart (2005)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row" |Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2005&cat=a|title=Rapports annueles 2005|publisher=Ultratop|language=fr|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>
| 5
|-
! scope="row" |French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2005&type=2|title=Classement Albums - année 2005|publisher=SNEP|access-date=20 June 2016|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925060939/http://www.snepmusique.com/fr/pag-259376-Classements-Annuels.html?year=2005&type=2|archive-date=25 September 2012}}</ref>
| 8
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2006 year-end chart performance for ''Avant que l'ombre...''
! scope="col" | Chart (2006)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row" | French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifop.com/europe/sondages/DISCANNU/albums06.stm|title=Les 200 meilleures ventes d'albums en France pour l'année 2006|publisher=SNEP|access-date=21 June 2016|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029000645/http://www.ifop.com/europe/sondages/DISCANNU/albums06.stm|archive-date=29 October 2007}}</ref>
| 105
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2021 year-end chart performance for ''Avant que l'ombre...''
! scope="col" | Chart (2021)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row" |Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2021&cat=a|title=Rapports Annuels 2021|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref>
| 195
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|title=Avant que l'ombre...|artist=Mylène Farmer|award=Gold|certyear=2005|relyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|title=Avant que l'ombre|artist=Mylène Farmer|award=Platinum|number=2|source=archive|certyear=2006|certmonth=6|relyear=2005|access-date=November 24, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Russia|type=album|title=Avant que l'ombre...|artist=Mylène Farmer|award=Platinum|certyear=2005|relyear=2005}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|salesamount=800,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mylene.net/presse/presse2008/mylene-farmer_presse_sud-ouest_23-08-2008.jpg|title=Nouvel album pour Mylène Farmer|work=Sud Ouest|date=23 August 2008|access-date=7 February 2018|language=fr}}</ref>|nocert=yes}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true}}

== Credits ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
; CD
* Words: Mylène Farmer
* Music: Laurent Boutonnat
**Except "[[L'amour n'est rien...]]" : Music: Laurent Boutonnat & Mylène Farmer
* Produced by Laurent Boutonnat
* Mixed by Jérôme Devoise
* Sound:Jérôme Devoise
* Programmation, keyboards, arrangement: Laurent Boutonnat
* Guitars: Philippe Paradis
**Except "Ange, parle-moi" and "Et Pourtant..." : Jean-Marie Ecay
* Bass: Philippe Chayed
* Drums: Loïc Pontieux
* Piano ("Ange, parle-moi" and "Et Pourtant...") : Yvan Cassar
* Cello ("Derrière les fenêtres") : Jean-Philippe Audin
* Clarinet ("Redonne-moi") : Jérôme Devoise
* Percussion and xylophone: Pol Ramirez del Piu
{{col-2}}
* Strings arrangement: Jean-Jacques Charles and Graham Preskett
* Vocals: Mylène Farmer
* Studio: Guillaume Tell
* Assistant: Tristan Monrocq
* Mastering: André Perriat and Bruno Gruel for Top Master
* Management: Thierry Suc for TS3
* Executive production: Paul van Parys for Stuffey Monkey
* Assistant of Mylène Farmer: Brigitte Gautier
* Assistant of Laurent Boutonnat: Emiline Chetaud
* Administration: Corinne Potier
* Photos: Dominique Issermann
* Design: Henry Neu for Com'N.B
; DVD "Fuck Them All"
* Video directed by Agustin Villaronga
* Making of by: François Hanss
* Produced by: Stuffed Monkey
{{col-end}}

== Formats ==
* CD
* CD&nbsp;— Digipack <sup>1</sup>
* Collector casket&nbsp;— Format 12" - Limited edition (5,000) <sup>1</sup>
* Double 12" <sup>2</sup>
* CD&nbsp;— Taïwan
* CD&nbsp;— Japan <sup>3</sup>
* CD&nbsp;— Promo&nbsp;— Japan <sup>4</sup>
* Cassette <sup>5</sup>

<sup>1</sup> + 1 DVD containing the video and the [[making of]] of "[[Fuck Them All]]"<br />
<sup>2</sup> Near the centering of one of the two vinyls is engraved the phrase "Quel talent Lolo, vingt ans après", in reference to [[Laurent Boutonnat]]<br />
<sup>3</sup> "Nobody Knows" features as 15th track and its lyrics are available in the booklet<br />
<sup>4</sup> "Nobody Knows" features as 15th track<br />
<sup>5</sup> Not contains "Nobody Knows"

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Mylène Farmer}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2005 albums]]
[[Category:Mylène Farmer albums]]
[[Category:Polydor Records albums]]