“Mini mini mini”, by Jacques Dutronc or KMFDM? – Liberation

Jacques Dutronc (1966)

Just like those of Henri Salvador, Nino Ferrer or the indescribable Pierre Perret, Jacques Dutronc’s repertoire is divided (rather cut in two) between hairiness and thrills. This playful song is of course part of the first category. Written by his best writing accomplice, the essential Jacques Lanzmann, it perfectly describes his era when the miniskirt imagined by the English designer Mary Quant invaded our streets which also see (well especially on the side of Saint-Tropez, favorite annex of the capital) the multiplication of a funny vehicle called Mini Moke. A sort of little Jeep that miniskirt fans love to ride in. The most famous of them being Brigitte Bardot.

KMFDM (2005)

If we had to establish a list of the most incongruous cover, this version of Dutronc’s hit by the German industrial metal veterans would certainly be on the podium. Against a backdrop of leaden beats and guitars escaped from the forges of Vulcain, multi-instrumentalist leader Sascha Konietzko belches out the text in almost perfect French with rather grand guignol intonations. This burlesque cover can be understood as a nod to the group’s Parisian origins. The first official appearance of KMFDM dates from February 29, 1984 at the Grand Palais where, to “musically” accompany an exhibition, Konietzko solo causes sonic chaos based on vacuum cleaners, broken synthesizers and enormous basses. A sonic deluge which goes so far as to cause some of the structure’s windows to fall. A real mess.