The very title of this song by Stromae evokes a deep feeling, that of heartache. In “Formidable”, the Belgian artist plunges us into a whirlwind of emotions, expressing with brutal sincerity the torments of a romantic breakup.
![The romantic breakup: Stromae - Formidable [Text in English] Oh, Baby, oops, MissI'm not going to flirt with you, I swearI'm single since ... yesterdayI can't have children and well, it's not...Hey, come back, five minutes, I didn't insult youI'm polite, courteous, and a little drunk](https://deco-originale.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Formidable-English-text-Stromae-1024x589.jpg)
Summary:
The music itself is a mix of melancholy and upbeat rhythms, creating an atmosphere that is both poignant and energetic. The lyrics, meanwhile, depict a desperate man, seeking to drown his pain in alcohol and self-pity. Stromae highlights the fragility of human beings when faced with the pain of loss in love.
This title resonates so powerfully because it evokes a universal feeling. Who has never felt the weight of heartbreak, that feeling of emptiness and despair that seems impossible to overcome? “Formidable” captures this pain with shattering intensity.
Stromae manages to tug at our heartstrings, to remind us that heartbreak is an integral part of the human experience. But beyond the sadness, there is also a glimmer of hope in this song, a force that pushes us to continue despite everything. It is this mixture of contradictory emotions that makes “Formidable” so powerful and so deeply impacting.
The “poetic text”: “Formidable in English” by Stromae
Wonderful wonderful
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Tremendous
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Oh, Baby, oops, Miss
I'm not going to flirt with you, I swear
I'm single since damn yesterday
I can't have children and well, it's not...
Hey, come back, five minutes, I didn't insult you
I'm polite, courteous, and a little drunk
But for guys like me
You have something else to do, eh
Would have seen me yesterday
I was great, great
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Tremendous
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Oh, did you look at yourself? You think you're beautiful
Because you got married?
But it's just a ring
Dude, don't get carried away
She's going to dump you like they do every time
And then the other girl,
did you talk to him about it?
If you want I'll tell him, like that it's settled
And the little one too, well if you have any
Wait three years, seven years and then you will see
If it's great, great
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Tremendous
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Hey little one, oh sorry, little one
You know in life, there are neither bad nor good people
If Mom is annoying
It's because she's afraid of being a grandmother
If Dad cheats on mom
It's because Mom is getting old, well
Why are you all red? Well come back kid
And what do you all have
Looking at me like a monkey, you?
Ah yes, you are holy, you
Bunch of monkeys
Give me a baby monkey
He will be great, great
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Tremendous
You were great, I was very shabby
we were great
Stromae - "Formidable.
The translation: https://deco-originale.fr/en/
“Formidable” by Stromae: general information on the music video
The musical style mixes French song with elements of electronic music. The lyrics are in French.
The song’s music video, filmed in Brussels, went viral shortly after its release. It shows Stromae apparently drunkenly wandering the streets singing the song.
“Formidable” was a great commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the charts in several European countries. She helped introduce Stromae to an international audience.
“Formidable” by Stromae:
Exploration of contradictory emotions
Stromae’s song “Formidable” poignantly explores the conflicting emotions a person can feel. The title itself is indicative of this inner conflict, with the use of the word “terrific” evoking something both wonderful and awe-inspiring, but also fearsome.
Evocation of wonder and sadness
In the lyrics, we feel this duality between wonder and sadness. On the one hand, the narrator is fascinated by the person he loves, finding her “formidable”, almost unreal. But on the other hand, he seems distraught and sad, as if this relationship is overwhelming or hurting him in some way.
Contrast between wonder and pity
This contrast between wonder and sadness is also reflected in the contrast between the idyllic vision of the loved one (“formidable”) and the feeling of pity that the narrator seems to feel towards him. This pity underlines a form of fragility, even vulnerability, which hides behind the apparent perfection.
Rejection of romantic commitment
Beyond these contradictory emotions, we can also perceive in the text a form of rejection of romantic commitment. The narrator seems both fascinated and frightened by this relationship, failing to fully invest himself in it. This refusal to engage may be linked to fear of being hurt or losing control.
By exploring these different emotional nuances, Stromae’s song “Formidable” offers a deep and universal reflection on the complexity of romantic feelings.
Also read: Maître Gims: the poet of modern times – French rap (Hip-hop)
FAQ about Stromae’s life:
Q1: What is Stromae’s real name?
A: His real name is u003cstrongu003ePaul Van Haveru003c/strongu003e.
Q2: When and where was Stromae born?
A: He was born onu003cstrongu003e March 12, 1985 in Etterbeek, Belgium.u003c/strongu003e
Q3: What does “Stromae” mean?
A: It’s the word u0022u003cstrongu003eMaestrou003c/strongu003eu0022 in verlan, a type of French slang.
Q4: What is the origin of Stromae?
A: He is of Belgian origin through his mother and Rwandan through his father.
Q5: When did he start his musical career?
A: He started rapping around the age of 11, but his first commercial success came in 2009 with “Parso on danse”.
Q6: What are his best-known albums?
A: His best-known albums are “u003cstrongu003eCheeseu003c/strongu003e” (2010) and “Racine Carrée” (2013).
Q7: Has Stromae taken any breaks in his career?
A: Yes, he took a long break between 2015 and 2022 due to health issues and to focus on other projects.
Q8: Is Stromae married? Does he have children?u003cbru003e
A: Yes, he has been married to u003cstrongu003eCoralie Barbier since 2015u003c/strongu003e. Yes, he has a u003cstrongu003eson born in 2018.u003c/strongu003e
Q10: What are his other activities outside of music?
A: He is also involved in fashion with his brand Mosaert, and he has directed music videos.
Q11: What is his most recent album?
R : Son album le plus récent est u0022u003cstrongu003eMultitudeu003c/strongu003eu0022, sorti en 2022.
Q12: Has Stromae received any awards for his music?
A: Yes, he has received numerous awards, including several Victoires de la Musique in France.
Q13: What is Stromae disease?
A: Stromae is suffering from u003cstrongu003eside effects from an anti-malaria medicationu003c/strongu003e he took while touring Africa in 2015. These effects include anxiety, dizziness and panic attacks.
Q14: Why did he cancel his world tour?
A: In April 2023, Stromae announced the cancellation of the remainder of his u0022Multitudeu0022 tour due to health reasons. He explained thatu003cstrongu003e the state of his health u003c/strongu003edid not allow him to continue performing on stage. This decision was made to focus on his healing and well-being.