Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll for first lady

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-12  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

FRANCE'S first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy sings of 30 lovers and hard drugs on a new album that she insists was not inspired by her whirlwind romance and marriage to President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Top French newspaper Le Figaro said the distinctive melodies and bold lyrics on Bruni's "Comme si de rien n'etait" (As if nothing had happened) album were a new departure from plain folk and make the former model's first album since she wed Sarkozy a musical success.

Le Figaro critic Bertrand Dicale said in his review that the album ?? which is due out on July 21 ?? shows Bruni coming of age as a songstress and embracing more recognizably French styles and the flamboyance of the 1960s.

"I am a child despite my 40 years and 30 lovers," Bruni sings in the song "Une Enfant" (A Child), according to Dicale who said it was one of the best on the album.

In another song entitled "You are my Drug", Bruni sings: "You are my drug. More lethal than heroin from Afghanistan and more dangerous than Colombian cocaine."

It is Bruni's third album since turning from top model to professional musician, and her first since she married Sarkozy in February.

Bruni has repeatedly said she wrote the songs before meeting Sarkozy, so listeners should not look to the lyrics for clues about her feelings for the French president. The recently divorced Sarkozy, 53, and Bruni, 40, began dating in November, revealed their relationship in December in a worldwide blaze of publicity.

The massive media exposure of Sarkozy's private life was one of the contributing factors in a popularity slump that saw his ratings plunge.