Meaning of “N’oublie pas” by Mylène Farmer and LP

“N’oublie pas” is a song written and recorded by Canadian-born French singer/songwriter Mylène Farmer and American singer/songwriter LP. “N’oublie pas” is a love song sung in both English and French. The song’s French title “N’oublie pas” means “Do not forget” in English.

The lyrics of this track  see the narrators (Farmer and LP), who are “disgusted with the world”, singing about finding solace, peace, comfort and paradise in the company of their love interest despite all the madness in the world.

What we find pretty curious about the lyrics of this song is that they don’t make it crystal clear if the singers’ object of affection physically lives on earth or not. But it appears that each of the narrator and her object of affection (which is apparently each other) aren’t physically together.

Are the singers expressing love for each other?

From the lyrics, it is never made clear who or what this love interest of the singers is. At some point, it even appears as though the singers are talking to each other and expressing their love for each other.  It wouldn’t be surprising if this is what the singers are doing, considering LP is a well known LGBT artist and the fact that Farmer is also known for being a gay icon.

From the song’s music video, it is abundantly clear that both narrators are talking about the special love and friendship they share. However, what isn’t known is whether this love is romantic or platonic.

Facts about “N’oublie pas”

• “N’oublie pas” was written by 4 songwriters, including Mylène Farmer and LP (whose real name is Laura Pergolizzi). The two other songwriters on the track are American music producer/songwriter Mike Del Rio and another American songwriter who goes by the name of Nate Campany.
• Aside co-writing the track, Mike Del Rio also produced it.
• “N’oublie pas” was released on June 22nd, 2018 as one of the singles from Farmer’s eleventh studio album titled Désobéissance.
• This track marks the first time Mylène Farmer and LP have worked together proper.
• Upon reaching number 1 in France, “N’oublie pas” became Farmer’s 18th single to achieve that feat. As for LP, the track became her first number one single in that country.
• Many praised the duet and called it one of 2018’s greatest duets.
• The song is sung in both French and English. Farmer sings her part in French, whereas LP sings hers in English.
• The song’s very emotional music video was filmed in Iceland and features both singers (Farmer and LP). The video was published on Farmer’s official VEVO channel on June 25th, 2018.
• Renowned French songwriter and music video director Laurent Boutonnat directed the music video of this masterpiece. Boutonnat is best known for her decades of collaborating with Farmer.

Interpretation of the music video of “N’oublie pas”

The highly sentimental and tearjerker of a music video above tells the story of two young girls who love each other dearly. At some point in their lives, the universe somehow separates them from each other. Owing to that, they are forced to live their lives greatly missing each other’s company and feeling each other’s love and presence everywhere they go. But towards the end of the video, a good thing appears to happen. Life somehow brings the women together again. However, at the final end of the clip, the audience realizes the happy reunion was just wishful thinking on Farmer’s part. LP was never actually physically there. She’s probably departed from the world.

FYI: This is just the literal interpretation of the music video. It is possible that there’s more to the video than meets the eye.