Le Ballet

The lyrics describe a sudden return of romantic desire during an otherwise ordinary moment. At first, the attraction brings confusion and fear: the person tries to avoid it, but soon both people take part in a flirtatious exchange. The mood then grows playful and sensual, before the song shifts toward what comes after the excitement. The “ballet” is nearly over, and “real life” is about to begin.

The ballet metaphor presents courtship as a dance with familiar steps and roles. The two people dress carefully, trade compliments and imagined travel scenes, and watch each other discreetly. Their words can seem almost meaningless, but they help create a mood; the lyrics suggest that gestures, glances, and physical attraction communicate more. “Tombent les cuirasses” means that their defenses fall away, making them more emotionally and physically open.

The ending can be read in more than one way. “Real life” may mean a more genuine relationship beyond flirtation, or simply the ordinary consequences that follow an intense, temporary encounter. The song does not say whether the connection will last. Its final contrast suggests that the seductive performance is both enjoyable and incomplete: the people have to discover what remains when the dance is over.