Pas Vraiment (“Not Really”) is Stromae’s witty side-eye at modern relationships that look flawless online but feel hollow off-screen. The Belgian hitmaker invites us to scroll through a picture-perfect feed where he and his partner seem enviably in love: shiny smiles, shared possessions, and followers who can’t help but be “jealous.” Yet between the likes and the luxury, a nagging question keeps popping up: Why are we even together?
Through playful back-and-forth lyrics, Stromae exposes three couples—all mirrors of one another—who keep up appearances while quietly admitting they do not “really” love. Gossiping friends predict break-ups, proposals sink before they sail, and every chorus lands on the same resigned punchline: it might be better to end things than to keep pretending. The result is a catchy, tongue-in-cheek reminder that social media snapshots and shared stuff are no substitute for genuine connection.
Paul Van Haver, known by his stage name Stromae, is a Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter, and record producer born in 1985 in Brussels. His unique sound blends hip-hop and electronic music, captivating audiences across Europe and beyond. Stromae rose to international fame with his 2009 hit "Alors on danse," which topped charts in several countries.
His 2013 album Racine carrée was a major success, featuring hit singles like "Papaoutai" and "Formidable," and selling millions of copies. Renowned for his artistic music videos and thoughtful lyrics, Stromae stands out as a creative force in modern Francophone music. He continues to innovate while drawing on diverse influences, from hip-hop to electronic and world music.