Les Mots (album)

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Les mots (English: The Words) is the first greatest hits album by French pop singer Mylène Farmer, released on 26 November 2001, released through the label Polydor. It contains most of the singer's hits, along with 4 singles released from the album as new material. It was certified diamond in France. The recurring themes throughout the compilation album is emotional introspection—touching deeply on love, loss, isolation, existential longing, and the fragility of the human condition. The compilation captures Mylène Farmer’s poetic and often melancholic worldview, using haunting melodies and symbolic lyricism to explore vulnerability, desire, and identity. Many songs reflect on the duality of light and darkness, sensuality and sadness, which are central to her artistic persona.

Upon release, Les mots was both a critical and commercial triumph, solidifying her status as one of France's most influential pop icons. The album brought together a comprehensive selection of her most iconic singles from 1984 to 2001, including hits like "Sans contrefaçon," "Désenchantée," and the new duet title track "Les mots" with Seal. Critics praised the compilation for showcasing the evolution of her sound and lyrical themes, blending synth-pop, dark romanticism, and poetic melancholy into a cohesive anthology. Commercially, Les mots debuted at number one on the French Albums Chart and was certified diamond by SNEP (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique), with over 1.5 million copies sold in France alone. The album also saw success in Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, making it one of the best-selling French compilation albums of all time. The title track "Les mots" became a top-5 hit and was lauded for its emotional depth and the unique pairing of Farmer's ethereal voice with Seal's soulful tone.

The compilation album Les mots by Mylène Farmer produced several commercially successful singles in addition to the titular duet with Seal. “Les mots” peaked at number two in France, received a platinum certification from SNEP for over 300,000 units sold, and charted across Belgium, Switzerland, and other Francophone countries. Another standout was “C’est une belle journée,” a catchy electro-pop track that reached number three in France and became a radio staple, earning Gold certification. “Pardonne-moi,” a haunting ballad with emotional depth, was released as the third single and performed well commercially, peaking within the French top 20 and receiving favorable reviews for its raw vulnerability. “L’histoire d’une fée, c’est…” was released as a promotional single, originally tied to the animated film Rugrats in Paris in its French edition, and though it had a more playful and whimsical tone, it still resonated with her fanbase and demonstrated her versatility.

Background and release

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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

Template:Album ratings 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".[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.

Standard edition

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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.

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International edition

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Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Formats

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  • Double CD – Crystal case
  • Double CD – Digipack – Limited edition (100,000)
  • Cassette 1 – Double length
  • Cassette 2 – Double length
  • Quadruple LP
  • Collector edition – Long Box 3 CD + 1 DVD – Limited edition (30,000) (1)
  • CD – European version (2)
  • Double CD – Digipack – Promo
  • Cassette 1 – Double length – Promo
  • Cassette 2 – Double length – Promo
  • Collector edition – Long Box 3 CD + 1 DVD – Promo (1)

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

References

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  1. ↑ Virgin Mega Press, February 2002 Devant-soi.comScript error: No such module "Unsubst". (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.comScript error: No such module "Unsubst". (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.comScript error: No such module "Unsubst". (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  7. ↑ Télé Star, No. 1323, 9–15 February 2002 Devant-soi.comScript error: No such module "Unsubst". (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.comScript error: No such module "Unsubst". (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.comScript error: No such module "Unsubst". (Retrieved 22 March 2008)
  13. ↑ "Les Mots", French SNEP Compilations Chart Ifop.com Template:Webarchive (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  14. ↑ 2001 French Compilations Chart Ifop.com Template:Webarchive (Retrieved 17 February 2008)
  15. ↑ 2002 French Compilations Chart Ifop.com Template:Webarchive (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. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
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