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J'en ai marre!

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"J'en ai marre !"
Single by Alizée
from the album Mes courants électriques
LanguageFrench
Released21 February 2003
Recorded2002
StudioStudio Guillaume Tell (Suresnes)
Studio Davout (Paris)
Genre
Length5:12
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)Mylène Farmer
Producer(s)
Alizée singles chronology
"Gourmandises"
(2001) 		"J'en ai marre !"
(2003) 		"J'ai pas vingt ans"
(2003)
Music video
"Alizée - J'en ai marre ! (Clip Officiel HD)" on YouTube
Music video
"Alizée - I'm fed up ! (Official Video HD)" on YouTube

"J'en ai marre !" (English: "I'm fed up !") is a song by French pop singer Alizée, released on 21 February 2003, as the debut single for her second studio album, Mes courants électriques (2003), through the label Polydor. The song was written by Mylene Farmer, and production was managed by Laurent Boutonnat and Farmer as well. Lyrically, it expresses frustration, rebellion, and a yearning to break free from monotony and expectations. Through playful and metaphorical language, the song captures a young woman’s irritation with societal pressures, gossip, and artificiality.

Upon release, the single achieved notable success both commercially and critically. In France, it peaked at number four on the French Singles Chart and was certified gold by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP), signifying sales of over 250,000 copies. Internationally, the track resonated with audiences, reaching number two on the Japanese charts and charting within the top 30 in countries such as Belgium (Wallonia), Germany, and Italy. In Austria and Switzerland, it secured positions within the top 50, further cementing its European appeal. The song's widespread popularity and certifications underscore its impact during its release period.

The music video for "J'en ai marre!" presents a vivid visual metaphor for confinement and emotional release. Directed by Olivier Megaton, the video features Alizée enclosed in a transparent glass cubicle, symbolizing a fishbowl, where she performs in a red jumpsuit. Throughout the video, she interacts with the confines of her enclosure—pressing against the glass walls, throwing a tennis ball, and even smashing a camera—while water gradually fills the space, enhancing the sensation of entrapment. In the climax, Alizée breaks through the glass, signifying a powerful act of liberation and defiance.

Background

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On 28 November 2000, Alizée released her debut album, "Gourmandises" (2000) in France, and released the album internationally on 13 March 2001. The album produced four singles, including the global top-five hits "Moi... Lolita," "L'Alizé," and "Gourmandises," each of which received notable commercial success. "Moi... Lolita" reached diamond status in France,[1] while "L'Alizé" was certified platinum,[2] and "Gourmandises" also achieved success, receiving significant chart positions across multiple countries.[3][4][5] To promote "Gourmandises" and her subsequent album, Alizée embarked on the En concert Tour in late 2003, which helped boost the later success of Mes courants électriques.[6] Music critics and scholars have highlighted the album's lasting influence on popular music, particularly for its role in reintroducing electronic music into the mainstream pop scene.[7] Praised by critics as a standout in modern French pop, the album received widespread acclaim upon its release, with reviewers highlighting the singer's vocal performance and musical direction.[8][9]

Composition

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After the debut album frenzy ended, "J'en ai marre!" marked the lead track from her second studio album, Mes courants électriques. The song was composed by Laurent Boutonnat and written by Mylène Farmer, who also co-produced the track.[10] Recording took place in 2002 at Studio Guillaume Tell in Suresnes, France, with additional sessions at Studio Davout in Paris.[10] Musically, it blends dance-pop with elements of French pop, featuring electronic instrumentation and a catchy rhythm that complements Alizée's vocals.[11] The single was released in various formats, including a CD single with the original version and an instrumental mix, as well as a maxi single featuring remixes like the "Soft Skin Club Mix" and "Bubbly Club Remix".[12] Alizée told MTV Spain that the song was released as her comeback single because of its upbeat sound.[13] The song “J’en ai marre !” by Alizée is composed in the key of A♭ major and has a tempo of 125 beats per minute (BPM).[14] This upbeat tempo contributes to its energetic and danceable quality.[15] The track has a duration of approximately 5 minutes and 12 seconds.

Commercial performance

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Upon release, the single was a major commercial success across several European markets. In France, the song peaked at #4 on the French Singles Chart (SNEP) and was certified gold, with over 250,000 copies sold.[16][17] It remained in the Top 10 for several weeks and was one of the most recognizable French pop songs of the year. The track also performed strongly in Belgium (Wallonia) and Switzerland, entering the Top 10 in both countries.[18][19][20] The song also charted in Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, and Sweden.[21] In Austria, the single peaked at number 43, and lasted on the charts for 9 weeks.[22] In Sweden, the song peaked at number 57 and stayed for 3 weeks on the chart.[23] In Italy, the song peaked at number 23, and lasted a total of 9 weeks on the charts.[24] In Spain, the single peaked at number 11 and lasted 6 weeks on the charts.[25]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Chic Radio Hits(positive)[26]
L'Internaute(positive)[27]
Le Figaro(neutral)[28]

“J’en ai marre !” received generally positive reviews from French media, which highlighted the song as a significant step in Alizée’s artistic development. Publications such as L'Internaute described the track as marking a departure from her earlier “Lolita” image toward a more mature and rock-influenced sound.[29] The accompanying music video was noted by Chic Radio Hits for its choreography, which emphasized Alizée’s evolving femininity and artistic expression.[30] Additionally, Le Figaro referenced the song’s popularity by mentioning its ban in Chechnya due to its tempo, reflecting its international reach.[31]

Controversy

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The lyrics of “J’en ai marre !” have been subject to interpretation for their use of metaphor and double entendre.[32] According to an analysis on France-Jeunes.net, the song’s recurring water imagery and playful language suggest themes beyond simple frustration, with possible references to female self-pleasure and autonomy.[33] The metaphors of bubbles, foam, and a bath setting are viewed as euphemistic expressions, which have sparked discussion about the song’s layered meanings within a pop context.[33]

Live performances

[edit]

The song was performed on many TV shows, particularly to deal with music. The most notable performance of her song is on Tubes d'un Jour.[34] She performed many other renditions of the song live, such as on La Chanson N°1,[35] Festivalbar in Pistoia (Italy),[36] Big Brother Germany,[37] and Live Emission Speciale.[38] She also performed the song in her first domestic tour, "En concert Tour".[39]

Music video

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The video, filmed on 4 February 2003 and directed by Olivier Megaton, premiered 19 February 2003 on M6. It is the first video for a song from Alizée's second album. During the filming of the clip, the artist harmed her knees due to lack of appropriate protection, which led to a swelling.[13][40] In the video, Alizée, dressed in a red jumpsuit, is enclosed in a glass cubicle, big enough for her to move freely; this scene represents a redfish swimming on an aquarium.[13] Some scenes show her creeping against the glass wall, some show her throwing a tennis ball towards the wall; one particular scene shows her throwing a camera to the ground and smashing it in the process. Throughout the video, water is poured into the cubicle, making Alizée wet. In the middle of the video, i.e. towards the final chorus, Alizée punches the cubicle and it breaks.[41]

Personnel

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  • Design – Henry Neu
  • Lyrics By [Paroles] – Mylène Farmer
  • Music By [Musique] – Laurent Boutonnat
  • Other [Stylisme] – Maripol
  • Photography By [Photos] – Philippe Bouley

Formats and track listings

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French CD Single

  1. "J'en ai marre !" – 4:35
  2. "J'en ai marre !" (Instrumental Mix) – 5:05

French CD maxi single

  1. "J'en ai marre !" (Single Version) – 4:35
  2. "J'en ai marre !" (Soft Skin Club Mix) – 7:40
  3. "J'en ai marre !" (Bubbly Club Remix) – 7:50
  4. "J'en ai marre !" (My Goldfish is Under me Remix) – 3:40

French 12" vinyl single

A Side:

  1. "J'en ai marre !" (Soft Skin Club Mix) – 7:40

B Side:

  1. "J'en ai marre !" (Bubbly Club Remix) – 7:50
  2. "J'en ai marre !" (My Goldfish is Under me Remix) – 3:40

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BRMA)[57] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[58] Gold 250,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Alizée : ses deux premiers albums sortiront en vinyle le 11 décembre". www.chartsinfrance.net (in French). 22 August 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  2. ^ "Les certifications". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  3. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - 2002". web.archive.org. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  4. ^ "InfoDisc : Les Certifications Officielles des 45 T. / Singles / Titres (Depuis 1073)". infodisc.fr. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Aliz e - Gourmandises - ultratop.be". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Alizee Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2025) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  7. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - 2002". web.archive.org. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  8. ^ "RFI Musique - - Mylène Farmer". web.archive.org. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  9. ^ "GOURMANDISES by ALIZÉE sales and awards". BestSellingAlbums.org. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b Alizée - J'en Ai Marre! / I'm Fed Up!, 2003, retrieved 13 April 2025
  11. ^ Alizée - J'en Ai Marre!, 2003, retrieved 13 April 2025
  12. ^ "J'en Ai Marre by Alizée on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  13. ^ a b c Interview with Alizée (in Spanish). MTV Spain. 8 April 2003.
  14. ^ "BPM and key for J'en ai marre ! by Alizée | Tempo for J'en ai marre !". SongBPM. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  15. ^ "J'en ai marre ! | 30489". www.tencymusic.com. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Les certifications". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  17. ^ "lescharts.com J'en ai marre!". lescharts (in French). 2003. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  18. ^ Alizée - J'en ai marre!, retrieved 15 April 2025
  19. ^ "Aliz e - J'en ai marre! - ultratop.be". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  20. ^ "Aliz e - J'en ai marre! - ultratop.be". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  21. ^ "J'en ai marre Germany". germancharts. 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  23. ^ "J'en ai marre Sweden". swedishcharts. 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  24. ^ "J'en ai marre Italy". italiancharts. 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  25. ^ "J'en ai marre Spain". spanishcharts. 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  26. ^ "Alizée - CHIC RADIO HITS". 9 June 2014.
  27. ^ "Alizée : ses succès, sa vie... Biographie de la chanteuse star des années 2000". 5 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Hallyday, Sardou, Nakamura... ces auteurs français que vous ne pourrez plus écouter en Tchétchénie". 12 April 2024.
  29. ^ Rédaction, La (5 January 2021). "Alizée : ses succès, sa vie... Biographie de la chanteuse star des années 2000". www.linternaute.fr (in French). Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Alizée". Alizée (in French). 21 August 1984. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Hallyday, Sardou, Nakamura... ces auteurs français que vous ne pourrez plus écouter en Tchétchénie". Le Figaro (in French). 11 April 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Alizée - J'en ai marre ! (English translation #3)". lyricstranslate.com. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  33. ^ a b "De quoi parle "J'en ai marre" ?". France-jeunes.net. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  34. ^ DuncanJax (11 July 2010). Alizee - J'en Ai Marre (Tubes D'un Jour) HD. Retrieved 15 April 2025 – via YouTube.
  35. ^ Alizée Challenge (15 March 2021). Alizée - J'en ai marre ! - La Chanson N°1 France 2 March 15. Retrieved 15 April 2025 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ Alizée Challenge (20 June 2021). Alizée - J'en ai marre ! - Festivalbar Piazza del Duomo Pistoia-Toscana Italy June 20 - French. Retrieved 15 April 2025 – via YouTube.
  37. ^ Abel1889 (6 April 2010). Alizée - J'en Ai Marre - Big Brother. Retrieved 15 April 2025 – via YouTube.
  38. ^ EURODANCE HD Clips (27 December 2021). Alizée - J'en Ai Marre (Live Emission Speciale) HD 4K. Retrieved 15 April 2025 – via YouTube.
  39. ^ Stine, Pierre (9 November 2004), Alizée en concert (Documentary, Music), Alizée, Valerie Belinga, Laetitia Broqua, Blueberry Sprl, Requiem Publishing, retrieved 15 April 2025
  40. ^ Alizée: J'en ai marre! (Music), 19 February 2003, retrieved 13 April 2025
  41. ^ Alizée: J'en ai marre! (Music), 19 February 2003, retrieved 13 April 2025
  42. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  43. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  44. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  45. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  46. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  47. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  48. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!". Top Digital Download. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  49. ^ "Polish Airplay Charts - Lista krajowa 27/2003". PiF PaF Production. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  50. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  51. ^ "Alizée – J'en ai marre!". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  52. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2003". Ultratop. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  53. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2003". Ultratop. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  54. ^ "Top Singles SNEP 2003". SNEP. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  55. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  56. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  57. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2003". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  58. ^ "French single certifications – Alizée – J'en ai marre" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
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