Si j'avais au moins...

On 15 December 2008, recording company Polydor officially announced that "Si j'avais au moins..." as the next single from the album Point de suture (2008) while simultaneously a promotional format was released on radio stations.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer – "Si j'avais au moins..." – Histoire du single |url=http://www.mylene.net/mylene/d_s_sijavaisaumoins_histoire.php |publisher=Mylene.net |language=French |access-date=17 July 2010}} This format contained a radio edit version, in which the last refrain of the original song, before the musical bridge, was deleted.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer – "Si j'avais au moins..." – Versions |url=http://www.mylene.net/mylene/d_s_sijavaisaumoins_versions.php |publisher=Mylene.net |language=French |access-date=17 July 2010}} Many fans were disappointed by this choice, as demonstrated by the results of a survey published on the website Mylene.net which showed that only 1.7% of the voters wanted the song as the third single.{{cite web |title=Farmer propose le single "Si j'avais au moins..." |url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-67250.html |publisher=Charts in France |first=Thierry |last=Cadet |language=French |date=15 December 2008 |access-date=17 December 2008}} Charles Decant of Ozap deemed this release a "surprising decision" which recalled the choice of the ballad "Redonne-moi" as the third single from her previous album Avant que l'ombre... (2005).{{cite web |title=Clip: Mylène Farmer murmure à l'oreille des animaux |url=http://www.ozap.com/actu/clip-mylene-avais-moins-video-point-suture-voir/249562 |publisher=Ozap |first=Charles |last=Decant |language=French |date=7 January 2008 |access-date=7 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111070925/http://www.ozap.com/actu/clip-mylene-avais-moins-video-point-suture-voir/249562 |archive-date=11 January 2009 }} As the song has a very slow tempo, author Erwan Chuberre deemed that Farmer made "an artistic rather than a commercial choice" when she decided to release the song as a single.{{Cite book|title=L'Intégrale Mylène Farmer |last=Chuberre |first=Erwan |year=2011 |publisher=City |language=French |isbn=978-2-35288-499-6 |page=290}}

On 15 January 2009, it was announced that the maxi vinyl, published in a limited edition, and the CD single would be released on 10 February, then delayed to 16 February. The cover art of the promotional single was entirely red, showing a close-up, the head of the doll which had appeared on Point de suture. The cover of the single, which published on the internet on 27 January 2009, displayed a photograph by Simon Hawk.

According to the author Benoît Cachin, "Si j'avais au moins..." deals with the absence of a loved being, which causes an unbearable but trainer pain. Like in "Redonne-moi", the lyrics use the lexical field of a "ghost which haunts the singer's mind", include some references to religion and the neologism enténèbrement.{{cite book |title=Mylène Farmer, au fil des mots |last=Cachin |first=Benoît |year=2012 |publisher=Gründ |place=France |language=French |page=185 |isbn=978-2-32400-364-6}}

File:Si j'avais au moins... (video3).jpgs which show Farmer's supernatural powers to heal and release the animals.]]

Directed by Bruno Aveillan, the music video was filmed in mid-2008 in an abandoned hospital in Prague.{{cite book |title=Mylène Farmer, au fil des mots |last=Cachin |first=Benoît |year=2012 |publisher=Gründ |place=France |language=French |page=190 |isbn=978-2-32400-364-6}} It premiered on the internet on 7 January 2009, and was officially released on television on M6, ten days later. The music video was shot just after "Dégénération", the first single from Point de suture, as both music videos are parts of a short film named The Farmer Project.{{cite web |title="The Farmer's Project": bientôt sur M6 |url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-67281.html |publisher=Charts in France |first=Thierry |last=Cadet |language=French |date=23 December 2008 |access-date=26 December 2008}}

The video starts with Farmer slowly walking in a laboratory in which many animals are captive to serve as experiments. Depicting a supernatural creature, the singer approaches every cage to look at all the animals – pigeons, cats, bobcats, rabbits, mouses, a snake, an owl, a monkey, a doe – and heals them with her magic hands. Then she takes a wounded little cat out of its cage and puts it on her shoulders. During the second refrain, she remains standing with closed eyes in the middle of the room and uses her supernatural powers to explode all of the glass cages. She thus releases the animals and, with a monkey in her arms, leads them outside into the woods. Standing in the forest, she closes her eyes again and sends many rays of light from her hands. The last scene shows the Earth being covered by that light.{{cite web |title=Découvrez l'intégralité du nouveau clip de Farmer |url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-67340.html |publisher=Charts in France |first=Thierry |last=Cadet |language=French |date=7 January 2008 |access-date=7 March 2008}}{{cite book |title=Mylène, biographie |last=Royer |first=Hugues |year=2008 |publisher=Flammarion |place=Spain |language=French |isbn=978-2-35287-139-2 |page=335}}

According to Lionel Steketee, "Mylène [was] very professional, thorough, discreet and almost shy" when she participated in the shooting of the video. He said she had to be careful not to get scratched by the cat, and that the final scene was difficult to film because the cats were afraid of the water used in this scene, the rats remained hidden in a corner and the birds did not fly much.{{cite book |title=Mylène Farmer : Des mots sur nos désirs |last=Chuberre |first=Erwan |date=18 June 2009 |publisher=Alphée |language=French |isbn=978-2-7538-0477-7 |pages=230–32}} Given that the song deals with the pain caused by the absence of a dead person, the video is unrelated to the lyrics, as noted by author Alice Novak.{{cite book |title=Mylène Farmer: d'ombres et de lumières |first=Alice |last=Novak |year=2011 |publisher=City Editions |language=French |isbn=978-2-35288-498-9 |pages=270, 271}} In reviews, Yahoo! Music said that, through the video, "[Farmer] invites us into her dark and magical universe",{{cite web |title=Le clip du jour! Mylène Farmer — "Si J'avais au moins" |url=http://new.fr.music.yahoo.com/blogs/clip_du_jour/6226/mylne-farmer-si-javais-au-moins/ |publisher=Yahoo! Music |date=7 January 2009 |language=French |access-date=17 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726044115/http://new.fr.music.yahoo.com/blogs/clip_du_jour/6226/mylne-farmer-si-javais-au-moins/ |archive-date=26 July 2011 }} and Premiere deemed it "mysterious, provocative".{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer: matez son nouveau clip "Si j'avais au moins..." |url=http://people.premiere.fr/News-People/Mylene-Farmer-matez-son-nouveau-clip-Si-j-avais-au-moins-1496366 |publisher=Premiere |date=7 January 2009 |language=French |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006022015/http://people.premiere.fr/News-People/Mylene-Farmer-matez-son-nouveau-clip-Si-j-avais-au-moins-1496366 |url-status=dead }} Considering it a short film, Cachin praised the music video as being "perfectly done".

"Si j'avais au moins...", reviewed after the album's release, was generally well received in the media.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer for ever |url=http://www.musiqueradio.com/article_news7060_mylene-farmer-for-ever.php |publisher=Musique Radio |language=French |access-date=17 December 2008}} Swiss newspaper Le Matin said it was a "magnific ballad" and one of the best songs of the album;{{cite journal |title=Des points de suture pour reconstruire Mylène Farmer (part 3) |url=http://www.mylene.net/img_data/lematin_24082008_03.jpg |journal=Le Matin |first=Karine |last=Vouillamoz |publisher=Edipresse |place=Lausanne |date=24 August 2008|language=French |access-date=24 August 2008}} as for Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic, he qualified "Si j'avais au moins..." and "Point de suture" as "standout ballads made of uplifting string arrangements and delicate vocal melodies".{{cite web |title=Point de Suture — Mylène Farmer, review |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/point-de-suture-r1416999/review |publisher=AllMusic |first=Jason |last=Birchmeier |access-date=16 April 2011}} Novak deemed the song "sweet and sad". La Meuse considered it a "ballad with a strong lachrymal connotation".{{cite journal |title=Du génie ou du toc? On a passé au scanner la nouvel album de Mylène Farmer... |url=http://www.mylene.net/img_data/lameuse_27082008_02.jpg |journal=La Meuse |first=Sam |last=Christophe |publisher=Groupe Sud Presse |language=French |date=27 August 2008 |access-date=29 August 2008}}

In France, "Si j'avais au moins..." charted poorly on radio, peaking at number 60 on the airplay chart in its second week, on 19 December 2008.{{cite web |title=Le Classement Radio – Semaine du 19/12/2008 |url=http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259838-Radio.html?cid=260902 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121141013/http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/pag-259838-Radio.html?cid=260902 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 January 2013 |publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique |language=French |access-date=29 April 2011 }} In contrast, the music video was regularly broadcast on television, reaching number five on the TV airplay chart in its third week.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer – "Si j'avais au moins..." – Classements |url=http://www.mylene.net/mylene/d_s_sijavaisaumoins_classements.php |publisher=Mylene.net |language=French |access-date=17 July 2010}} On the singles chart, the song debuted at number one on the chart edition of 21 February 2009, selling 12,375 units that week,{{cite web |title=Disques: 3ème numéro un consécutif pour Mylène Farmer |url=http://www.ozap.com/actu/ventes-disques-numero-mylene-farmer-seal-mozart/260230 |publisher=Ozap |first=Antoine |last=Masson |language=French |date=25 February 2009 |access-date=26 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227072911/http://www.ozap.com/actu/ventes-disques-numero-mylene-farmer-seal-mozart/260230 |archive-date=27 February 2009 }} and thus became the singer's seventh number one single in France, which, at the time, was a record.{{cite web |title=Tops: Mylène Farmer obtient son septième n°1 |url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/Mylene-Farmer/news-67567.html |publisher=Charts in France |first=Thierry |last=Cadet |language=French |date=24 February 2009 |access-date=24 February 2009}} The week after, the song ranked at number five, and weekly sales dropped to 3,072;{{cite web |title=Disques: U2 numéro un en 3 jours, GaGa détrône Farmer |url=http://www.ozap.com/actu/disques-u2-numero-jours-lady-gaga-detrone-farmer/262476 |publisher=Ozap |first=Charles |last=Decant |language=French |date=6 March 2009 |access-date=9 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307093406/http://www.ozap.com/actu/disques-u2-numero-jours-lady-gaga-detrone-farmer/262476 |archive-date=7 March 2009 }} thereafter, it continued to drop and remained 27 weeks in the top 50 and 38 weeks in the top 100, which remains the third longest chart trajectory of Farmer's single in France.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer — "Si j'avais au moins...", French Singles Chart |url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Si+j%27avais+au+moins%2E%2E%2E&cat=s |publisher=Lescharts |language=French |access-date=11 March 2009}} In Belgium (Wallonia), the single entered the Ultratop 50 at number 25 on 28 February 2009, then dropped to number 38.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer — "Si j'avais au moins...", Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart |url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/7b127/Mylene-Farmer-Si-j'avais-au-moins... |publisher=Ultratop |language=French |access-date=26 January 2008}} In Switzerland, it charted for one week, at number 72, on 1 March 2009.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer — "Si j'avais au moins...", Swiss Singles Chart |url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Myl%E8ne+Farmer&titel=Si+j%27avais+au+moins%2E%2E%2E&cat=s |publisher=Hitparade |language=German |access-date=26 January 2008}} The song began at a peak of number six on the chart edition of 7 March 2009 on the European Hot 100 Singles, which was the highest debut then.{{cite magazine |title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles, week of March 07, 2009 |url=http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-hot-100?chartDate=2009-03-07 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=21 July 2010}}

Farmer performed the song during the NRJ Music Awards, broadcast on 17 January 2009, on TF1.{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer – "Si j'avais au moins..." – TV |url=http://www.mylene.net/mylene/d_s_sijavaisaumoins_tv.php |publisher=Mylene.net |language=French |access-date=17 July 2010}} She was dressed in white and was accompanied by many musicians.{{cite web |title=NRJ Music Awards 2009: les gagnants |url=http://www.chartsinfrance.net/NRJ-Music-Awards/news-67407.html |publisher=Charts in France |first=Thierry |last=Cadet |language=French |date=17 January 2009 |access-date=18 January 2009}}{{cite book |title=Mylène Farmer, la culture de l'inaccessibilité |last=Rigal |first=Julien |date=September 2010 |publisher=Premium |language=French |isbn=978-2-35636-096-0 |page=176}} She lip-synced a recording of the song she had made the day before.{{cite journal |title=Les NRJ Music Awards ont tourné à la farce |url=http://www.mylene.net/img_data/mylenefarmer_lematinbleu_19012009.jpg |journal=Le Matin Bleu |first=J. |last=D. |publisher=Edipresse |place=Lausanne |language=French |date=19 January 2009 |access-date=19 January 2009}}

"Si j'avais au moins..." was performed as the last song during the 2009 tour, but only in the halls venues, and was cancelled for the concerts in stadiums. Farmer then wore a long white dress, and the stage was bathed in red and orange lights. During the refrain, many screens displayed images of lava expelled by a volcano during an eruption. The last musical bridge was extended while part of the staircase raised and showed a tunnel throughout which Farmer left the stage.{{cite book |title=Mylène Farmer, la culture de l'inaccessibilité |last=Rigal |first=Julien |date=September 2010 |publisher=Premium |language=French |isbn=978-2-35636-096-0 |page=182}} In December 2009, Farmer officially released the live video of the song on the Internet, video which was not featured on the DVD and Blu-ray for N°5 on Tour;{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer: "Si j'avais au moins...", le clip live! |url=http://www.evous.fr/musique/Mylene-Farmer-Si-javais-live-clip,8640.html |publisher=Musique Evous |date=10 December 2009 |language=French |access-date=17 April 2011}} the instrumental version of the song, however, was used for the ending credits "Générique".{{cite AV media notes |title=Mylène Farmer Stade de France |others=Mylène Farmer |year=2010 |type=DVD liner notes |publisher=Polydor |id=532 543-5 |language=French}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Mylène Farmer Stade de France |others=Mylène Farmer |year=2010 |type=Blu-Ray liner notes |publisher=Polydor |id=532 543-8 |language=French}}

The formats and track listings of single releases of "Si j'avais au moins...":{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer – "Si j'avais au moins..." – Supports |url=http://www.mylene.net/mylene/d_s_sijavaisaumoins_supports.php |publisher=Mylene.net |language=French |access-date=2 March 2010}}

• CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Si j'avais au moins... |others=Mylène Farmer|year=2009|type=CD-one Single liner notes |publisher=Polydor |id=531 625-1 |url=http://mylene.net/mylene/mylene-farmer-referentiel_si-j-avais-au-moins_cd-single-france.php |language=French}}

{{Tracklist

| title1 = Si j'avais au moins...

| note1 = single version

| length1= 5:31

| title2 = Si j'avais au moins...

| note2 = instrumental version

| length2= 5:31

}}

• CD single – Promo{{cite AV media notes|title=Si j'avais au moins... |others=Mylène Farmer|year=2009|type=Promo CD-one Single liner notes |publisher=Polydor |id=12131 |url=http://mylene.net/mylene/mylene-farmer-referentiel_si-j-avais-au-moins_cd-promo-france.php |language=French}}

{{Tracklist

| title1 = Si j'avais au moins...

| note1 = radio edit

| length1= 4:15

}}

• 12″ maxi – Limited edition{{cite AV media notes|title=Si j'avais au moins... |others=Mylène Farmer|year=2009|type=12-inch Vinyl liner notes |publisher=Polydor |id=531 625-7 |url=http://mylene.net/mylene/mylene-farmer-referentiel_si-j-avais-au-moins_maxi-45-tours-france.php |language=French}}

{{Tracklist

| title1 = Si j'avais au moins...

| note1 = single version

| length1= 5:31

| title2 = Si j'avais au moins...

| note2 = instrumental version

| length2= 5:31

}}

• Digital download{{cite web |title=Musique MP3 — "Si j'avais au moins...", Mylène Farmer, Album (2 titres) – Durée totale : 11:02 |publisher=Fnac |url=http://telecharger-musique.fnac.com/fm3726217/Mylene-Farmer-Si-J-Avais-Au-Moins |language=French |access-date=3 June 2011 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725100538/http://telecharger-musique.fnac.com/fm3726217/Mylene-Farmer-Si-J-Avais-Au-Moins |url-status=dead }}

{{Tracklist

| title1 = Si j'avais au moins...

| note1 = album version

| length1= 5:31

| title2 = Si j'avais au moins...

| note2 = instrumental version

| length2= 5:31

}}

The credits and the personnel as they appear on the back of the single:{{cite web |title=Mylène Farmer – "Si j'avais au moins..." – Crédits |url=http://www.mylene.net/mylene/d_s_sijavaisaumoins_credits.php |publisher=Mylene.net |language=French |access-date=3 April 2010}}

• Mylène Farmer – lyrics
• Laurent Boutonnat – music
• Isiaka – editions
• Simon Hawk / H&B – photo
• Henry Neu – design

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Category:2008 songs

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Category:2000s ballads

Category:Mylène Farmer songs

Category:Songs with lyrics by Mylène Farmer

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Category:Music videos directed by Bruno Aveillan

Category:SNEP Top Singles number-one singles

Category:Polydor Records singles

Category:Universal Music Group singles

Category:Pop ballads

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