Nicholas Sarkozy's Wife, Carla Bruni, Releases Song Mocking Her Husband's Hapless Socialist Successor

Although the non-French press usually describes Bruni as an ex-model, she is in fact currently one of France's top singer-songwriters, and not just in joke sort of way, as a novelty recording by Lindsay Lohan is. Her songs and albums are usually in the top ten and even seem to have some merit. Well, at least I like that song. (The title and refrain means Someone Told Me You Might Love Me Again, Could That Be Possible?)

She's released a song goofing on a figure she calls "The Penguin," calling him ill-mannered, awkward, rude, weak, and vascillating. It is widely believed that President Francois Hollande is "Le Pingouin" of the song, because he was criticized for having treated Sarkozy and Bruni rudely at the transfer of power (it's customary for the incoming president to walk the outgoing president to his car at his departure; Hollande decided to skip the walk) and because the song mentions one of Holland's nicknames (the song calls the Penguin "neither yes nor nor," and Hollande's nickname is "Monsieur Neiher Yes Nor No.") Bruni won't say if the song is about Hollande, offering vague answers.

It's actually A Thing over there, a big controversy (especially as the song is and Hollande's opponents are using "The Penguin" as a political attack.

I have to say I'm sort of envious. We always knock pop culture people getting into politics, because we have to: Except for country musicians, they're always on the left. But it sure is a useful bit of soft political power to have on one's side.

posted by Ace at 01:55 PM

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