About “La thune”
Angèle unveiled “La thune” on June 19, 2018, as the third single from her debut album Brol. This pop track addresses the pursuit of money and notoriety on social media. Co-written and produced by Angèle Van Laeken and Tristan Salvati, this song introduced the Belgian artist’s critical and playful universe. The visual, directed by Aube Perrie, reinforces this message by mixing heist imagery with selfies. Since its release, the song “La thune” has established itself as one of the most remarkable works on Brol.
Info: for people learning French, the term “thune” is French slang for “money”.
Key Points to Remember:
- “La thune” denounces the pursuit of money and notoriety on social media, highlighting the emptiness behind accumulating likes.
- The chorus questions digital solitude and the absurdity of these pursuits, with Angèle including herself to avoid a moralizing stance.
- The clip, inspired by a heist and selfies, ironically illustrates digital obsession with a colorful and flashy aesthetic.
Analysis and Meaning of “La thune”
General Interpretation of the Song
The song explores the ambiguous relationship between the desire for money and social recognition. Angèle articulates a bittersweet satire of online behaviors, revealing the solitude they conceal. The intensity of the message gradually builds throughout the verses and chorus, notably through a repetition technique that emphasizes the collective obsession with “thune” and visibility. This insistence creates the impression of an almost automatic mechanism, where everyone repeats the same patterns.
Also read: “Ta reine” by Angèle: Meaning of the Song
The artist thus highlights the contrast between the compulsive quest for likes and the emotional void it generates. The pop sounds, combined with light instrumentation, reinforce this dissonance by making the message accessible without diminishing its critical impact. The chorus acts as a question addressed to the listener, challenging the purpose of these superficial pursuits. The song’s progression then reflects a dramatic arc: the pursuit of money becomes a metaphor for appearance, culminating in a moment of awareness where the songwriter herself admits to taking part in this illusory game. Finally, the insistent rhythm underscores the repetition of these stereotyped behaviors, reinforcing the idea of a cycle that is difficult to break.
“La thune” on Spotify:
Analysis of the Lyrics of “La thune”
- “Tout le monde, il veut seulement la thune / Et seulement ça, ça les fait bander”
(English translation: “Everyone just wants the thune / And only that turns them on”)
This opening line strikes immediately with its simplicity and catchy rhythm. It exposes the song’s primary impulse and sets the satirical tone, juxtaposing the desire for money with pleasure to highlight the corrosive impact of this chase. - “Et puis à quoi bon ? / T’es tellement seul derrière ton écran”
(English translation: “And then what’s the point? / You’re so alone behind your screen”)
The chorus probes the intimate dimension of dependence on social media, revealing the solitude and vanity of this digital world. The rhetorical question prompts reflection and deepens the underlying discomfort. - “Au fond, j’avoue que même moi / Je fais partie de ces gens-là”
(English translation: “Truth be told, even I / Am one of those people”)
This passage marks Angèle’s sincerity and distance. By including herself in the critique, she avoids a moralizing posture, creating an empathetic connection with the listener.
Analysis of the Clip
The official music video for “La thune”, directed by Aube Perrie, employs a heist-infused aesthetic blended with selfie culture, staging a symbolic fusion of weapons and smartphones. Fun fact: we can see her brother (famous Belgian rapper) Roméo Elivis. This visual subversion underscores the implicit violence within the dynamics of visibility and the pursuit of money in the digital realm. The saturated color settings and intentionally flashy outfits reinforce the irony of the message by accentuating the artificial and superficial nature of this universe.
The guns that dispense bills constitute a central image: they materialize the illusory ease with which money and recognition seem attainable, while denouncing their vacuity. Through this stylized staging, the video extends the song’s message by depicting a world where self-display becomes a symbolic “heist” of others’ gaze.
Technical Details
- Year of release: 2018
- Album: Brol
- Related songs: “Je veux tes yeux”, “La Loi de Murphy”, “Jalousie”
- Musical genre: Belgian pop
- Writer(s): Angèle Van Laeken, Tristan Salvati
- Composer(s): Angèle Van Laeken, Tristan Salvati
- Producer(s): Angèle Van Laeken, Tristan Salvati
- Label/distribution: Angèle VL Records
- Title translation: The money
Impact and Reception
Upon its release, “La thune” achieved rapid success in the Francophone sphere, notably securing a place in the top 15 of the SNEP chart. The track earned significant certifications, with a gold record in France and platinum certification in Belgium, confirming its commercial impact and wide distribution.
This success was accompanied by a highly positive critical reception: both media and internet users praised the modernity of its message, the relevance of its commentary on social media, and the quality of its writing. The video, often cited for its originality and aesthetics, along with strong radio airplay, helped cement the song as a modern classic of Francophone pop.
Conclusion about the Song
“La thune” epitomizes Angèle’s ability to blend a catchy melody with social critique. The track reveals a sharp pen and a keen awareness of digital excesses. By mixing self-mockery with societal observations, the Belgian artist delivers a work that is both entertaining and reflective. This single propelled the album Brol and showcases Angèle’s creative strength in today’s music landscape.
At French Iceberg, we have selected the 100 most famous French songs if you’d like to discover more. What is the meaning of “La thune” for you? Let us know in the comments.