“Now, it’s me she calls ‘mum’”— Louane sends an open letter to her late mother in the “maman” lyrics

This year, once again, France is delivering class. They are sending Louane with “maman,” one of the most personal and emotional songs in the contest: an open letter to her late mother, whom she lost when she was just a teenager.

France selected Louane internally to carry their flag in Basel for Eurovision 2025. On 15 March, she revealed her song, which she performed at the Stade de France during half-time of the match between France and Scotland in the 2025 Six Nations Championship tournament.

Let’s dive into the deep meaning behind this song.

Scroll down to read the “Maman” lyrics

France at Eurovision 2025: Louane with “maman”

Louane comes from a small commune called Saint-Catherine in the Pas-de-Calais region. She was born under the name Anne Edwige Maria Peichert. Louane became a semi-finalist in the 2013 edition of The Voice: la plus belle voix. Her participation in the show impressed the audience and helped her build a name in the music industry.

Louane tragically lost both her parents when she was a teenager. Despite this, she was left with a complex heritage that she is very proud of. Louane’s father, Jean-Pierre Peichert, was French, the son of a Polish mother and a German father. Her mother, Isabel Pinto dos Santos, was Brazilian-Portuguese, the daughter of a Portuguese father and a Brazilian mother.

Although music is her first passion, Louane is also well-known for her acting. She gained popularity by playing the lead role in the French-Belgian coming-of-age comedy film La Famille Bélier.

What do the “maman” lyrics mean?

“maman” is a French ballad that showcases the best of Louane’s voice. As previously mentioned, it’s a song that feels like a personal letter to her late mother. Louane has another song with the same title, which was released in 2015 as part of her debut album Chambre 12. The two songs are connected.

The version released in 2015 features lyrics like, “Lovers, moving from one bed to another,” “I’m not mentally fine,” “I’ve lost my interest for fun,” and “I can’t find meaning in my quest.” 

In contrast, this new version of “maman” presents a Louane who seems to have found a way to keep it together, changing her life completely and finding a path forward:

There are no more one night stands
There are no more beds
In the end, you see
I’ve built my life
And the emptiness is vast
The questions too
How are you?
Do you see everything here?

The song expresses a deep sense of gratefulness to her mother, from whom she remembers everything. Louane reflects on the numerous lessons her mother taught her, lessons that she continues to carry with her throughout her life:

I’ve changed a lot
I’ve grown up a lot
From you, I kept everything
That makes me who I am

In the song, Louane confesses to her mother that she has found a love that makes her feel safe, protected, and deeply loved. She expresses that when she is with her loved one, she experiences the same sense of protection she once felt as a child with her mother. This brings her a sense of peace, and she reassures her mother that there’s no need to worry about her anymore:

I’ve found indelible love
You know, the real one, always
Even when time flies
When he holds my hand
I’m no longer afraid of anything
And it feels like before
When you used to hold my hand

In the end, there is a reflection on the motherhood that Louane now experiences herself. She assures her late mother that she is doing better, that she has found her way, and that she is now the one called “mum.” Louane acknowledges the responsibility she has to shape the steps of her daughter, offering her all the love and valuable lessons she received from her own mother:

I’m better, I know where I’m going
I stopped counting the years
And if I wanted to stop time
Now, it’s me she calls ‘Mum’

“maman” lyrics — Louane (France Eurovision 2025)

Lyrics: Louane
Music: Louane and Tristan Salvati

Do Louane’s “maman” lyrics make you emotional? Does the song resonate with you? Let us know in the comments below.