The song "Le Chat Du Café Des Artistes" by Charlotte Gainsbourg tells a somewhat dark and melancholic story. The lyrics talk about death and being forgotten as an artist. The first verse states that when someone is dead, it means they are dead, and when they stop laughing, it means they are no longer alive. The artist contemplates being placed in a garbage bin after cutting the string (symbolizing their life) and left to be eaten by a cat. They ask for the cat to refuse their spleen and liver but choose the right moment for it to eat their heart. The artist wants to remain with their loved ones, on their shoulders and in their laps, hoping to exist as the cat of the café des artistes (a reference to an artistic gathering place). The lyrics also mention that if there is a shortage of bread, the artist is willing to be sacrificed and eaten by breaking their neck and legs. Throughout the song, the artist expresses the fear of being forgotten, just like the cat that has been forgotten. They believe their head and songs will also be forgotten. They acknowledge that this wouldn't be the first time an artist is forgotten and that it won't be the last. Overall, the song explores themes of mortality, the fear of being forgotten as an artist, and the longing to leave a lasting impact on people's memories. It conveys a sense of melancholy and contemplation about the transient nature of life and art.
