Psychotherapist REACTS to L'enfer by Stromae

[@sammy532]

When this song dropped, suicide hotlines in France received a spike in calls and it was reported that thousands of people reached out for help. Stromae was praised by therapists across the french speaking world for being so openly vulnerable.

[@topenoel1931]

😢😢🥺oh no

[@Themissssssssssssssssss]

In Belgium 2

[@topenoel1931]

@@Themissssssssssssssssss wow, now this is kind of influence/influencer that the world needs. So inspiring!

[@HG_Budde]

Not only the French speaking ones.. You'll find that there's not a single semi-official version on KZbin that hasn't got at least English subtitles.. 🤔

[@Themissssssssssssssssss]

@@topenoel1931 I’m just saying Belgium too bcs he was only talking about the French population when it literally took place in Belgium bcs it’s where the song came from and since I’m also part of this country I wanted to point it out

[@djee475]

Stromae a true genius. Wether he be praising the everyday workers (Santé), breaking down gender stereotypes (Tous les memes), paying hommage to his ficticious mom prostitute (Fils de joie) or making a gripping song about cancer (quand c'est)...everything is up to standard with unique videos each time

[@ankwm]

Stromae s is a Belgian artist, and a megastar also in France (his first song was a huge success). He lost his father during the genocide in Rwanda (his song Papaoutai [phonetic expression of Dad where are you?] talks about it) and during a trip to Africa, he had a severe reaction to a medicines, provoking a terrible burn out, then he completely disappeared during 2 years if I remember well. When he released this song during a tv news, the number of calls to suicide help centers increased and psychologists said that such song by a famous singer can help people to request help. The problem for Stromae's songs is that he plays a lot with expressions and wording, meaning that it is difficult to translate what he wants to convey in another language, while all his songs convey a deep message.

[@Greymange]

Agreed. The translations are good but the French he uses makes it difficult to truly convey the beauty in his writing (as opposed to just a translation). I think he's one of the most creative artists of our time but he doesn't get a huge amount of airtime in the Anglophone world, outside of reactions.

[@scarlettM007]

3:54 I remember hearing this song for the very first time when it was just released… I didn’t just cry, I sobbed (being half French & Belgian, I understood every word) and it pierced through my soul. Having a narcissistic manipulative mother and energy portals of siblings who drain you and will bash you into the ground.. it made me suffer my entire life. On top, I got bullied at school, horse camp, & even at work.. I’m sensitive for depressions with suicidal tendencies and have already been under antidepressants.. That’s why this song hit home soooo hard & I cried. Stromae means Maestro scrambled up, and he absolutely is! He’s a true genius AND he’s super sweet & kind as well. Already met him a few times.

[@Achanqaray87]

I was one of several people who recommended it and am so happy that you reacted to it! The first time he did sing this was on live television in the middle of an interview on the normal news broadcast, surprising all the viewers. Such a bold move to bring awareness to this topic.

[@TherapistReactsOfficial]

Great recommendation thank you.

[@leslietisdial5753]

I know for me I can be in a room full of people and still feel alone. Loneliness is hard for me to deal with. Some of these songs I hear can be triggering but I work with my therapist so that I can work through it. Its such a beautiful song. Great reaction. Always excited to hear your take on these songs.

[@TherapistReactsOfficial]

Thank you for sharing Leslie, sounds really difficult, I’m glad you’ve reached out to a therapist. Take care.

[@itsakittyting]

I feel just as lonely as you do ♥ we are not alone

[@AlbandAquino]

As a French Vet, Stromae's songs always had a special place in my heart. He has, what we call here, "les nerfs a vif", his nerves were on constant edge, even feeling "alien" to any body other than himself. Thus the "loneliness" feeling. His songs are usually pretty dark toned. But you have to understand the guy behind the lyrics. All in all, he is Autistic, as I am, and we all suffered from the general indifference of the society we were living in at that time. I've seen so many unnecessary death during my service that I ended numb (during a single year, I've seen more that 100 people dying). So I ended up numb to my peers, numb to society. Numb to pain. His songs reconnected me with society, with my peers, and though his weaknesses, I was able to reconstruct myself. Love the guy.

[@AlbandAquino]

And yes, I've taken that "route". Thankfully survived. Met someone wonderful. And with my own "survival instinct" and the help of knowing that someone else was feeling the same... I could breath a breath of relief. Compose myself, and with my own resolve and strength, get out of it. I smoke Cannabis on the regular to help with PTSD, it honestly helps with the "dark" thoughts. But focusing on what is positive in life, and putting a foot in front of the other, every day. Every day. 30 years later, still rocking, still happy with me. Still happy with my life. And I've almost forgot the horror of War. Until... Ukraine and the friends I had there. That the reason for my "profile" picture.

[@MariaCarabin]

I only just found your reaction now. The traditional white singing (also common in other cultures, Ukraine for example) adds an extra layer. It is a form of singing that almost sounds like "screaming" register-wise. There's a fantastic "Tiny Desk" performance with him, the band and the three female vocalists. The vocalists are a trio based in France: Sandrine Conry, Stefka Miteva and Julia Orcet

[@staseraleggiamo]

When my OCD hit me hard some years ago, I felt exactly like this. I am glad I've never given up and now that I understand better what happened I really want to help other people to walk out from that "enfer".

[@OKingSizeTv]

When this song came out I felt hugged. I was beginning theraphy and coming out of the worst I've ever felt. It just felt like someone got me and I wasn't alone. Stromae is amazing.

[@morganqorishchi8181]

I really appreciate you being willing to analyze and react to songs from other languages. While English speakers do lose some of the meaning to non-English songs in translation, that doesn't mean that they can't still be powerful and be impactful. Stromae's feelings come across clearly and are relatable to me as someone who's struggled with depression. I think when something is a common human experience, a good enough singer/songwriter can make something that crosses the language barrier. For instance, I've met French people who don't speak English who heard Numb by Linkin Park and read the subtitles/translation and had a huge emotional reaction to it, because parental expectations and toxic families are (unfortunately) universal. I have had only a few years of French, I don't speak it very well at all, but seeing Stromae move his body to imitate clutching his chest the way so many people do during anxiety attacks and smacking himself in the head to snap out of it the way I've done, everything he was going for came across clearly. ...it feels vaguely unhelpful not to have a suggestion for something to react to but I'm not well-versed in how to appease the KZbin algorithm. Sorry. Loved your reaction and breakdown, though.

[@khneo]

I really like the new format with more details and schema ! Thank you for this amazing channel, my favorite one.

[@TherapistReactsOfficial]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ve got a couple of older videos to still upload then i think all the new ones will be in this format, glad you like it. I’ll probably only mention models etc as I remember them in the moment though!

[@ellenrooms_writes9047]

If you are ever able to, you should definitely watch a live version of this song. There's this thing he does with the screens on the background and it's just... mindblowing. I have bawled my eyes out several times while listening to this song and then seeing him perform it live... it's so relatable, and knowing that someone understands how I feel also feels healing in a way.

[@LancelotGraal]

17 years of therapy, 17years of mentioning suicidal thoughts and never a psychotherapist thought of explaining that those thoughts have a purpose, a meaning? What is their purpose or their meaning? I've only ever been able to identify them as my brain trying to kill me!

[@Frukthjalte]

Please note, I am NOT a therapist or a doctor, I merely went through a lot of therapy in my day, so do NOT take what I write below as some sort of professional input. THAT BEING SAID: Personally, I used to be absolutely TERRIBLE at emotional regulation, combined with a real knack for black and white thinking. This often resulted in my brain - and usually, my mouth - going “OH MY GOD I HATE THIS!!!!”, or “OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS!!!!”. There were literally no shades of gray. So for me - and again, this is just my personal story - the purpose of those bad thoughts were my poor mind trying to tell me I was currently experiencing something negative. She just had a hard time fine-tuning the details of those negative experiences. Like, I literally at one point expressed a desire to end it all because my bank card was declined at the grocery store. Loudly. In public. This reply might be written in a sort of jokey tone (because that’s the best way I can deal with it honestly), but the point is that the purpose of those thoughts and ideas that my mind presented was to tell me that I was obviously not having a good time. And whenever they creeped up in a less intense fashion, it was usually to provide a sense of comfort. Like, “Well, if it all goes to shit I could just end it…”. Basically, the thoughts are there to inform you that you’re unhappy about something, but because of whatever mental stuff you’ve got going on under the hood, your mind cannot really relay that message in a constructive or more neutral manner. It’s the same thing with, uh, hurting yourself (I’m trying to avoid censorship here): it’s usually done to deal with a negative emotion. Which in itself is a pretty healthy thing to do - it’s just that the way in which you try to soothe that negative emotion isn’t particularly constructive.

[@bethstratton3391]

Loneliness can be such a killer, but when people try to escape from that loneliness and constant thoughts associated with it, and run away from their own mind; they come to realise this is never really the answer. However, the solution to dealing with loneliness isn’t often that simple either. Often when people confide in others and talk about being lonely, the solution generally offered in return is to join some groups or look for hobbies with like minded people. However, often people don’t need company or to simply be with others doing an enjoyable thing, rather they are seeking a deeper connection with a small close knit group of really like minded people. Also when some people try to make connections they are, like you pointed out, thwarted for whatever reason and if this happens consistently then this leads people to give up trying to involve themselves with others. This leads to isolation and perhaps the aspiration to end things and be free of the feelings of not being liked/appreciated , good enough or someone worth valuing. I think this track expresses this whole idea very well. I wonder if he ever did a track looking into his solution for all of this.

[@wholesomegaming9759]

Really awesome reaction,the way you interpreted everything, lots of people don't do that,by the way would love to see your reaction to another song for this talented artist, it's called (fils de joie). I must say you really have to listen closely to get the meaning of it because it's sung by 4 different perspectives Great video regardless 👍🏻🩵

[@crisma8684]

He has a lot of other songs with sensible subjects: Fils de Joie, Quand c’est?, Carmen, Formidable, Tout le meme….

[@njg247]

Thank you so much for this wonderful reaction. I've just come across your channel and subscribed. Please explore more Stromae. "Genius" is overused but in this instance it's well-placed. He conceives every part of his work from lyrics, to the instrumentation and videography. And let's also not forget his masterful use of the French language that marries literary references with cultural world-play. You're right, the French language sounds beautiful and the way he plays with its musicality is gorgeous. I recommend Quand C'est? or Carmen for further wonderful commentary on life from Stromae.

[@TherapistReactsOfficial]

Yep going to check out more. Thanks for the support and taking the time to comment.

[@amatczak]

“Precisely, thinking, that’s the problem with you.” Has to be read in one go. The problem is me thinking…

[@acoolweirdosfriend]

Whenever I saw the English behind his French lyrics, I legit thought I was gonna cry.

You shall be commended to try and analyse from a psychological point of view songs that are not in a language you speak. You miss a lot of subtle details in the translation. Stromae is very shy despite being an artist, and it shows in his lyrics. As in "Papaoutai", he uses a lot of images, analogies, synonyms and word plays that the translation doesn't tell. The way the sentences are cut half way gives them another, stronger meaning. Well, it is art, it is poetry. Maybe you could get some more details in his play in this video: eyes tilting, short of breath, head hits, etc. You know how much good just talking about this subject can do. Stromae is known to talk about dark subjects over dancing music, thus rising awareness. Plus, his art is very deep, poetic and beautiful. That class of artist is always needed. Sending my best regards to you and your viewers.

[@TherapistReactsOfficial]

Thank you for your comment. After the track and when I was putting the video together I had a look at other translations of the lyrics to see how accurate KZbin’s substitutes were. I actually found about 4 or 5 all with slightly different variations of what was being said. I hope I managed to discuss the main themes in a way that makes sense to what Stromae was trying to get across! Thanks for the comment.

[@AyseMugePolat]

Love him so much..💗❤‍🔥 But.. Throughout the entire song, I can’t help but resonate with Kafka’s iconic portrayal of an insect-isolated, misunderstood, and grappling with existence. It evokes the sensation of being confined within one's own small world, yet never quite at peace with the external one, burdened by unresolved questions and persistent pains. As the emotions unfold, a sense of melancholy and sadness takes over. However, it’s important to note that this is not a description of depression. Instead, it reflects a deeper emotional state rooted in heightened sensitivities and self-awareness. In my view, happiness is deeply tied to one's sensitivities, so when these sensitivities go unacknowledged, a state of dissatisfaction arises. It’s more akin to a clear, almost childlike frustration or rebellion-a response to discomfort rather than a pervasive or clinical condition like depression. The reasons behind this unhappiness are evident, making it a temporary emotional state rather than an enduring psychological issue, and adding a layer of emotional depth that speaks to an internal struggle, but not without hope for resolution.

[@NanouPeb-vy3ug]

Look "Carmen" chanson sur le thème des réseaux sociaux ❤❤

[@danielereshchenko486]

Now I'm guessing this is not going to be seen, but I'll try my luck. Please react to "la fin du show" by cowboys fringuant. They're a Québec based group, and unfortunately, they recently lost their singer Karl Tremblay to cancer. La fin du show explores his final thoughts about life and death. It's extremely powerful, and I would be honored if you reacted to them.

[@NanouPeb-vy3ug]

Look "Carmen" chanson sur les réseaux sociaux 👍👍

[@moonquake1881]

Not sure the real issue, the thoughts that make him experience hell is simply loneliness. It might be obsessional ideas. Loneliness would be a byproduct of feeling different than others (or at least the perception of how the idealized others are)

[@staceyr8777]

Hey ! Love your content Maybe you could try and react to Gringe - Scanner, it's a french song describing the first time his brother had a psychotic episode all the way to his diagnosis of schizophrenia, and the guilt he feels about it as a brother It's his real personal story 😁 !

[@ProgressiveTranquility]

I love your videos so much! You're the best. Also are you going to react to more lil peep soon? If you do I recommend his Hellboy album

[@ceccathden7651]

There is another very interesting and intense song about mental health by a young belgian singer : Loic Nottet and the song is : Mr/Mme. Can you react to it? (There is subtitles in english)

[@jamjam1312]

I think he is talking to his depression when he says I don't know what to do with you, thinking is the very problem with you. Depression stops you from being able to think right.

[@Joshua-f9f]

would you mind doing some dave, his songs are beautiful. this could be hangman, streatham, both sides of a smile, lesley, heart attack or 6 paths please!

[@lordinateur2448]

I can relate so much

[@selladore4911]

nice distinction of shame v guilt!

[@ladycroissant3744]

I really like your reaction, and would aprreciate it if you could react to Sia's "breathe me" (kcrw 2007 is the best version out there imo). Sia wrote this when she was depressed and was contemplating suicide. Luckily a friend called her just in time and convinced her not to do it. And the rest is history, as they say.

[@thea7870]

Does the fact that a person who experiences depression and suicidal thoughts but does not feel any guilt or shame mean that the person is a bit of a psychopath?

[@tidjanizizou1534]

try "Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2)"

[@HG_Budde]

I'd rather call it somewhat endearingly: "My Constant Little Imposter Syndrome". 😬 Eversince nobody seems to feel the need to make a clear distinction between "feeling depressed" and "being depressed" anymore, that particular word has become a thorn in my side. The comparison could just as well be between a normal cold vs. fully-blown Aids. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@LancelotGraal]

I also don't know what to do with my brain.

[@thaeros]

i don't know much about depression, maybe i'm in one from a long time because my personnality is " it's how it is!" someone die "it's how it is no need to be sad it's just a fact!" we have criminal politicians ( i see ALL politicians as criminal just at e diferent level) more or less the same with militaries my thinking is " they kill so they are all murderer both the ones who press the trigger and the ones to order it! but they are too " dogs" for me, to be more exact pit dogs they obey everytime even if someone order them "kill"! but i'm not disturbed that much by that " it's how it is!" that's all for me humans are the worst bein on earth because they kill and destroy not because they need to survive but because someone told them to do...

[@straaths]

So the guy doesn't speak french and they analyze french song?

[@jamjam1312]

Have you heard of something called translation ?

[@pszichografo]

Hello, could you react to Azahriah-cipoe thanks

[@KHAN-yg7fm]

React to fils de joie Stromae

[@mimille59390]

Christophe Mae's song Il est ou le bonheur is very interesting as well

[@itsakittyting]

You can never react to often to Stromae - he quit his career now due to his mental issues

[@Kormondre]

coucou je veux faire des vues

[@murieldubois1571]

doesn't really the first purpose of the art making easy understanding something that seems complexe to explain in another way of "normal communication" ? That's the burden of artists mostly they are thinking differently and what means "hell" is also the "soil for being creative and thinking out of the box". So there is a paradoxal motion of "death" and "renewing a birth". So it always a choice that required a battle to "organise in an harmonious end" this "chaotique being" to give the possibility to move on and to invent ourselves to become what we are supposed to be " a mature person completely fully accomplished" but "Blossom and Beauty" are they really the achievement of a meaningful life ? or "failures and handicap" might also mean REAL TRUE LIFE ? keep on creating and celebrating LIFE because it's a miracle in itself.