Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Chanson d’une rouspéteuse” by Lisa LeBlanc
The upbeat and empowering folk tune ‘Chanson d’une rouspéteuse’ by Lisa LeBlanc is a reflection of the modern voice of contemporary feminism. This song centres on the character of a ‘rouspéteuse’, a French term for a woman who’s not afraid to stand up for her beliefs and rights. Initially, she is depicted as just an ordinary girl, unable to “walk on water” or “fight like Joan of Arc” and discouraged from speaking up. This dispels the myths around women being infallible or choosing to stay silent.
The narrative then evolves into an empowering declaration of her strength, “I may not be invincible but I do not give up,” and her courage to keep moving forward despite the challenges she faces. The chorus speaks to her refusal to succumb to adversity, staying loyal to her values in the face of judgement – ‘Je suis une rouspéteuse, je ne me laisse pas marcher dessus, je veux seulement être entendue’ (I am a rouspéteuse, I won’t let them step on me, I just want to be heard).
The speaker’s unwavering attitude is also championed in the bridge, where she asserts “ I know my worth” and encourages “the pretty young girls” to “not stay quiet”, as well as respond to circumstance with sass and remaining unconstrained by society’s expectations. Her ambition for her generation is summed up in the line, “if we raise our voices, nobody can ignore us”.
Throughout the song, we are reminded that the character of ‘rouspéteuse’ is not a one-dimensional caricature but a person with many facets. Lisa LeBlanc celebrates the rebellious fire inside us all and uses a strong and proud voice to rock the boat, unapologetically challenging convention.