Les Mots (album)

Les mots is the first greatest hits album by French pop singer Mylène Farmer, released on 26 November 2001, released through the label Polydor. It contains most of the singer's hits, along with 4 singles released from the album as new material. It was certified diamond in France. The recurring themes throughout the compilation album is emotional introspection—touching deeply on love, loss, isolation, existential longing, and the fragility of the human condition. The compilation captures Mylène Farmer’s poetic and often melancholic worldview, using haunting melodies and symbolic lyricism to explore vulnerability, desire, and identity. Many songs reflect on the duality of light and darkness, sensuality and sadness, which are central to her artistic persona.

Upon release, Les mots was both a critical and commercial triumph, solidifying her status as one of France's most influential pop icons. The album brought together a comprehensive selection of her most iconic singles from 1984 to 2001, including hits like "Sans contrefaçon," "Désenchantée," and the new duet title track "Les mots" with Seal. Critics praised the compilation for showcasing the evolution of her sound and lyrical themes, blending synth-pop, dark romanticism, and poetic melancholy into a cohesive anthology. Commercially, Les mots debuted at number one on the French Albums Chart and was certified diamond by SNEP (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique), with over 1.5 million copies sold in France alone. The album also saw success in Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada, making it one of the best-selling French compilation albums of all time. The title track "Les mots" became a top-5 hit and was lauded for its emotional depth and the unique pairing of Farmer's ethereal voice with Seal's soulful tone.

The compilation album Les mots by Mylène Farmer produced several commercially successful singles in addition to the titular duet with Seal. “Les mots” peaked at number two in France, received a platinum certification from SNEP for over 300,000 units sold, and charted across Belgium, Switzerland, and other Francophone countries. Another standout was “C’est une belle journée,” a catchy electro-pop track that reached number three in France and became a radio staple, earning Gold certification. “Pardonne-moi,” a haunting ballad with emotional depth, was released as the third single and performed well commercially, peaking within the French top 20 and receiving favorable reviews for its raw vulnerability. “L’histoire d’une fée, c’est…” was released as a promotional single, originally tied to the animated film Rugrats in Paris in its French edition, and though it had a more playful and whimsical tone, it still resonated with her fanbase and demonstrated her versatility.