Lyrics: If I had, if I had that I would be this, I would be that Without things, I don't exist Gazes slide off me I envy what others have I'm dying from what I don't have Happiness is possession Supermarkets: my temples In my uniforms, nothing but identifiable brands Things give me an identity I pray to things and things have taken me They pose me, they give me a price I pray to things, they fulfill my life It's no longer "I think" but "I have therefore I am!" Things to wear, to sell, to submit An object-woman who presents well Without a throne or scepter, I detest myself Naked king, I'm worth nothing I have Jordan's perfume I am a little bit like him in his shoes I buy to be, I am Someone in this car A life of flash to flash Clip and club and cigarette and fast food Easy fast or calming But fast, all the time skipping the void And the anxiety More good than bad, but does it pass on TV Nobel or scandal? They say "VIP" I pray to things and things have taken me They pose me, they give me a price I pray to things, they fulfill my life It's no longer "I think" but "I have therefore I am!" Things to wear, to sell, to submit An object-woman who presents well Without a throne or scepter, I detest myself Naked king, I'm worth nothing... I pray to things and things have taken me They pose me, they give me a price I pray to things, they fulfill my life It's no longer "I think" but "I have therefore I am!" A tattoo, a piercing, a jewel I want the image, the image and that's all The right language, the necessary ideas It's all I'm worth. Explanation and Story: "Les Choses" by Jean-Jacques Goldman tells the story of how material possessions and societal pressures can consume an individual's identity and self-worth. The song reflects on the obsession with consumerism and the belief that having certain things or fitting into a certain image is what gives someone value. Goldman critiques the idea that happiness is derived solely from material possessions, using phrases like "happiness is possession" and describing supermarkets as personal temples. The lyrics also touch on the desire to have what others possess, leading to envy and self-deprecation. The chorus emphasizes the idea that the narrator's worth is determined by the things they own, with the repetition of "I pray to things and things have taken me, they pose me, they give me a price." This highlights the way consumer culture can shape and define an individual's identity. Additionally, the song touches on the superficiality of societal standards, including physical appearance and the need to conform. It references brands, tattoos, piercings, and jewelry as ways to attain the desired image and language as a means to fit in. However, despite striving to meet these standards, the narrator expresses self-disgust and a sense of worthlessness, feeling like a "naked king." Overall, "Les Choses" serves as a critique of consumerism and the impact it can have on an individual's self-perception, highlighting the emptiness and superficiality of valuing oneself solely based on material possessions.
