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J'ai pas vingt ans

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"J'ai pas vingt ans"
Single by Alizée
from the album Mes courants électriques
Released3 June 2003
Recorded2002
Studio
  • Studio Guillaume Tell (Suresnes)
  • Studio Caliphora
  • Studio Davout
GenreFrench pop
Length4:23
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Mylène Farmer
  • Laurent Boutonnat
Alizée singles chronology
"J'en ai marre!"
(2003) 		"J'ai pas vingt ans"
(2003) 		"A contre-courant"
(2003)
Music video
"Alizée - J'ai pas vingt ans ! (Clip Officiel HD)" on YouTube
Music video
"Alizée - I'm not twenty ! (Official Video HD)" on YouTube

"J'ai pas vingt ans!" (English: "I'm not twenty!") is a song by French pop singer Alizée, released on 3 June 2003, as the second single for her second studio album, Mes courants électriques (2003), through the label Polydor. The song was written by Mylene Farmer and Boutonnat, and production was managed by Laurent Boutonnat and Farmer as well. Lyrcially, the song explores themes of youthful confidence, self-assurance, and the clash between age and maturity. She playfully critiques adults who underestimate her while embracing the joys and contradictions of youth. At its core, the song is a celebration of being young, misunderstood, and unapologetically oneself.

Upon release, the single achieved moderate commercial success across Europe. In France, the song peaked at #17 on the SNEP Singles Chart, marking a respectable follow-up to the high-performing “J’en ai marre!” It remained on the chart for several weeks, buoyed by strong fan support and radio airplay. Internationally, the single charted in Belgium (Wallonia) and Switzerland, maintaining Alizée’s visibility in Francophone markets. The song also charted in Spain, peaking at number 19 on the charts. It also gained additional exposure through its English version, “I’m Not Twenty,” included on international editions of the album, further extending its reach—particularly in Japan, where her popularity was on the rise.

The music video for "J’ai pas vingt ans" by Alizée presents a vibrant, high-energy performance aesthetic that matches the song’s spirited tone. It features her dancing with a group of backup dancers in a sleek, futuristic white set filled with minimalist geometric elements, giving it a crisp and modern feel. Throughout the video, she wears a sporty, stylish outfit that enhances the youthful, rebellious theme of the song, emphasizing her declaration of independence and maturity despite her age. The choreography is playful yet precise, reflecting both confidence and charm as Alizée interacts with the camera and her dancers. Intercut with various close-ups and smooth tracking shots, the video maintains a dynamic pace that mirrors the upbeat tempo of the track.

Background and composition

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On 21 November 2000, Alizée released her debut album, "Gourmandises" (2000) in France, and released the album internationally on 13 March 2001. The album produced four singles, including the global top-five hits "Moi... Lolita," "L'Alizé," and "Gourmandises," each of which received notable commercial success. "Moi... Lolita" reached diamond status in France,[1] while "L'Alizé" was certified platinum,[2] and "Gourmandises" also achieved success, receiving significant chart positions across multiple countries.[3][4][5] To promote "Gourmandises" and her subsequent album, Alizée embarked on the En concert Tour in late 2003, which helped boost the later success of Mes courants électriques.[6] Music critics and scholars have highlighted the album's lasting influence on popular music, particularly for its role in reintroducing electronic music into the mainstream pop scene.[7] Praised by critics as a standout in modern French pop, the album received widespread acclaim upon its release, with reviewers highlighting the singer's vocal performance and musical direction.[8][9]

"J'ai pas vingt ans" is a french pop and electropop song by Alizée. The track was written by Mylène Farmer, with music and production handled by Laurent Boutonnat.[10][11] Recording sessions took place in 2002 and 2003 in Paris, during the development of Alizée's second studio album, Mes courants électriques.[12] Musically, the single features synthesizer-driven arrangements and electronic production while retaining a pop-oriented structure.[10] Lyrically, the song explores themes of youth and self-assertion, portraying a young woman who, though not yet twenty, confidently claims her identity and independence.[13] The song’s tone combines playful irony with a sense of maturity, aligning with the lyrical style characteristic of Farmer’s writing.[14]

Music video

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The music video is about Alizée and her band playing the song on a stage. It was directed by Laurent Boutonnat and was released in May 2003 on M6.

Formats and track listings

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French CD Single

  1. "J'ai pas vingt ans" – 4:15
  2. "I'm Fed Up!" – 4:40

French CD maxi single

  1. "J'ai pas vingt ans" (Single Version) – 4:15
  2. "J'ai pas vingt ans" (Sfaction Club Remix) – 5:45
  3. "J'ai pas vingt ans" (Attitude Dance Remix) – 4:10
  4. "J'ai pas vingt ans" (Attitude Dub Mix) – 6:45

French 12" vinyl single

A Side:

  1. "J'ai pas vingt ans" (Sfaction Club Remix) – 5:45

B Side:

  1. "J'ai pas vingt ans" (Attitude Dance Remix) – 4:10

Charts

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Chart (2003) Peak
Position
Austrian Singles Chart (Ö3 Austria)[15][16] 60
Belgian Singles Chart (Ultratop Flanders)[17] 53
Belgian Singles Chart (Ultratop Wallonia)[18] 20
French Singles Chart (SNEP)[19] 17
German Singles Chart (GfK)[20][21] 59
Poland (Polish Airplay Chart)[22] 3
Swiss Singles Chart (Swiss HitParade)[23] 60
Spain Singles Chart (PROMUSICAE)[24] 19

References

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  1. ^ "Alizée : ses deux premiers albums sortiront en vinyle le 11 décembre". www.chartsinfrance.net (in French). 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  2. ^ "Les certifications". SNEP (in French). Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  3. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - 2002". web.archive.org. 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  4. ^ "InfoDisc : Les Certifications Officielles des 45 T. / Singles / Titres (Depuis 1073)". infodisc.fr. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  5. ^ [https://www.ultratop.be/fr/song/12ff/Alizee-Gourmandises "Aliz�e - Gourmandises - ultratop.be"]. www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 2025-04-16. {{cite web}}: replacement character in |title= at position 5 (help)
  6. ^ "Alizee Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2025) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
  7. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards - 2002". web.archive.org. 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  8. ^ "RFI Musique - - Mylène Farmer". web.archive.org. 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  9. ^ "GOURMANDISES by ALIZÉE sales and awards". BestSellingAlbums.org. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  10. ^ a b "Release "J'ai pas vingt ans !" by Alizée - MusicBrainz". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  11. ^ "Composition Laurent Boutonnat". mylene.net. 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Mes Courants Electriques - Alizée | Album | AllMusic, retrieved 2025-04-21
  13. ^ "Alizée - J'ai pas vingt ans ! (English translation)". lyricstranslate.com. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  14. ^ "Mylene Farmer". mylene.net. 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "J'ai Pas Vingt Ans by Alizée - Music Charts". acharts.co. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  16. ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  17. ^ "ultratopflanders J'ai pas vingt ans". ultratopflanders. 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ "UltraTop Wallonia : J'ai pas vingt ans". UltraTOp Wallonia. 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "lescharts J'ai pas vingt ans". lescharts. 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "germancharts J'ai pas vingt ans". germancharts. 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
  22. ^ "Polish Airplay Charts - Lista krajowa 44/2003". PiF PaF Production. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  23. ^ Alizée - J'ai pas vingt ans, retrieved 2025-04-21
  24. ^ "spanishcharts J'ai pas vingt ans". spanishcharts. 2003. Retrieved 21 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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