NOTE: I also do free French bilingual short stories (parallel texts), and I've put lots of info + links on my Home Page
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Quality Lyrics Translation + Free French Lesson
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Below is the simple lyrics translation. For the French lesson based on these lyrics, see below left.
PART ONE Vient ce jour, ma peau ne sait plus attendre Come, this day, my skin just can't wait OR Please come today, my skin doesn't know how to wait Viens, cours, des papillons au creux du ventre Come, run, butterflies in the stomach Viens me porter secours, je brûle de nous imaginer Come to my rescue, I'm burning from imagining the two of us OR Come rescue me, thinking of us two is making me burn OR Come bring me aid, dreaming of us two is making me burn CONTINUED BELOW PART TWO
Le vent et les chansons d'amour en sucre The wind, and sugary songs of love OR The wind, and sugar coated love songs OR ...sugared love songs Me font toujours autant d'effet Always have on me the same effect OR have as much effect on me as always CONTINUED BELOW PART THREE
J'ai peur de nous, j'ai pas envie de résister I'm afraid of us, I have no desire to resist OR I'm scared of an "us", I don't want to resist J'ai peur de nous, la raison n'est pas notre alliée I am scared of us, reason is not our ally OR I'm scared of us, good sense is is not on our side. Tour à tour on se tourne autour, sans jamais avoir basculé In turn, we turn around each other, without having fallen. (NOTE: I think I'm missing something here) PART FOUR
Les jeux interdits, ton humour abstrait Forbidden games, you abstract sense of humour Me font toujours autant d'effet (see above) PART FIVE
Palalalalam pa pa palalalam Palalalalam pa pa palalalam Palalalalam pa pa palalalam Palalalalam pa pa palalalam PART SIX
(Repeat of PART ONE through to PART FIVE) PART SEVEN
Tu le sais, une évidence de tous les diables You know it, it's completely evident to everyone OR You know it, as do all the devils. Je le sais, succomber est inévitable You know it, to succumb is inevitable Quel dangereux paradis, s’offrir a bouche que veux-tu What a dangerous paradise, to offer oneself all that one desires OR What a dangerous paradise, to offer up to your mouth all you desire. PART EIGHT
L’extase, un incendie qui nous tue Ecstasy, a fire which kills us C'est merveilleux, tu es foutu It's marvellous, you done for OR It's marvellous, your screwed PART NINE
(mutliple repeats of PART FIVE) PART NINE
Le jour se lève, la fièvre prend fin The day breaks, the fever comes to an end OR The day dawns, the fever draws to an end M'aimeras-tu demain? Will you love me tomorrow? Et mes lèvres posées sur tes mains And my lips planted on your hands OR And my lips laid upon your hands OR ...posed upon... OR ...placed upon... M'aimeras-tu demain? (see above) THE END My Spotify Playlists Now for a musical interlude. Like French music? The following is a link to my Spotify playlist of all the French language songs that I listen to when I'm working on this site, just to get me in the mood. It's a long one so listen to it on shuffle mode and you'll get the best French music radio station that never was. Not signed up to Spotify yet? Its free and you can listen to pretty much any music out-there so why dawdle. I basically live on it when writing. See also my Spotify Playlist of Spanish Language Songs. and My playlist of the top 100 French Language Songs of All Time FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate-Advanced Brigitte A Bouche Que Veut-Tu (2014) If you were to ask me who I'm mostly listening to these days my honest answer would be Brigitte. This pair of super hipster femmes fatales found success late in the game but there making up for it now. This particular track never fails to hit the sweet spot. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Charles Aznavour La Bohème (1965) If ever I'm feeling down there is always one song guaranteed to sooth my soul. This one. The song so beautifully describes the life of poor Parisian artists scraping a living together and finding comfort in each other and their own art that you'll feel like you are sharing the experience with them. Aznavour himself was born to Armenian immigrants but has attained legendary status to the point that you'll find him written within the DNA of every French man, woman and child alive. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Charles Trenet Douce France (1947) It may be old but despite the age gap many of you will will be familiar with this song, particularly the melody. Hands up, I find many of the songs from this period a bit samey but a few by Charles Trenet stand out from the crowd. The reasons you should get to know this particular song yourselves are two fold. First, this song is almost a national anthem packed with nostalgia enriched images of France at it's most chocolate box period. Second, despite his idiosyncratic singing style, Trenet enunciates well so you'll be able to follow what he's singing with ease. FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Gilbert Bécaud Et Maintenant (1961) Be prepared for pain, passion and anger... and then some. If you watch the clip I chose of Bécaud singing this song live, then you'll find it hard to believe that he hasn't just come straight from a mental asylum. However, when you start to understand the bitter words spat forth you'll come to realize his genius in capturing the feeling of utter rejection that most of us have experienced at least once in our lives. Watch the madness in the eyes... FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level La Godinette OR Gael Lefevere + Nicolas Quemener J'étais Lassée D’être Jeune Fille (????) When Gael Lefevere, the guy responsible for introducing me to the real French music scene, had interpreted this traditional Breton song with fellow musician Nicolas Quemener, I remembered thinking to myself that it was possibly the most moving piece of French language music I had ever come across. Like all songs from this region of France, the lyrics are hard and biting, yet all the more interesting for it, and you'll see just how deep the Celtic roots run in listening to the original version by La Godinette, a version that I have also come to love. Now it's your turn. |
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Stromea
Alors On Danse
(2013)
This is the song that started it all off for Stromea. I used to flick on the music channels when drinking my bowl of coffee in the mornings and when this song came out, it was on EVERY morning for what felt like a year. It became one of those songs that would play in my head all day long. Be careful, it may have the same effect on you.
Ps. In the lesson you'll witness how I trash almost every other translation of this song that exists!
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Edith Piaf
Je Ne Regrette Rien
(1960)
Probably the only French song that the average Joe knows. Well, at least it's a good one. Emotionally charged and yet short and simple song, and hence good for beginners. No extremely metaphorical lyrics, just nice and direct, which helps.
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Serge Gainsbourg &
Jane Birkin
Je T'aime...
Moi Non Plus
(1969)
Very very naughty. The controversial French lyrical genius begat a controversial sexy French song. You all know this one so there's not much more for me to add... except, if you thought it was a tad risqué beforehand, just wait until you understand the 'ins and outs' (ha ha!/ lol) of the lyrics.
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Claude François
Comme D'habitude
(1967)
Confession: I hate every song this artist ever did except this one which was truly a chef d'oeuvre. After being seen on TV by a Canadian artist, the song was bought and its lyrics re-written in English once the song had been given totally different theme. The finished product was then sung by Frank Sinatra and thus was born: 'I Did It My Way'
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Indila
Dernière Danse
(2014)
This was on the free to view music channels every morning for the whole of spring 2014. A hit that came out of nowhere which now has 73 million YouTube hits. Vevo wouldn't let me use the official video so I used an excellent remix in place. (burn-Vevo-burn)
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level
Zaz
Je Veux
(2010)
This was the song that led to Zaz becoming Frances top selling artist abroad in 2010 (or was it another year?) The album from which it came (called Zaz as it happens) ranked high in the charts all over Europe (except, of course, the UK). Simple but potent lyrics whose meaning hit home with me. Plenty of slang phrases within so if you need to work on that then this is your song.
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Stromae
Papaoutai
(2013)
Recent hit all over europe and the world (152 million YouTube Hits) by the now established king of electro-urban-geek music. This song is not the easiest of ones but has a very strong lyrical narrative, if not message (as do all his songs). Note that I've put in the phonetics for this lesson using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Benjamin Biolay
Ton Héritage
(2009)
Modern Classic chanson Française. One man, one piano, one haunting tune, and a bunch of stirring lines. This one always gives me goose pimples when I hear it on the radio. The word for word translations are there but I have left it light on the grammar notes.
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Jacques Brel
Ne Me Quitte Pas
(1959)
This song is considered by many to be the all time greatest chanson française that has ever existed. Always at the top of meta-critic polls and a personal favorite of my own (I only do songs that I like). It's an oldie (circa 1959) and yet so timeless...
P.s. I have done the phonetics for this one
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate-Advanced Level
Malicorne
Le Luneux
(1977?)
From the album Almanach, this traditional French folk song reconstructed by the experimental headonism of Malicorne in the late seventies will make you shiver with delight. I'm not sure whether the melody came from another song, but who cares when it's this good. Some oldie style wording but my notes will help you understand it.
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate-Advanced Level
Olivia Ruiz
La Femme Chocolat
(2006)
Unique voice, unique style of music, unique lyrics and unique looks help this artist stand far out from the often samey nouvelle scene crowd. This particular song demonstrates well her quirkiness with lyrics that are just damnright trippy.
FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level
Serge Lama
Je Suis Malade
(1973)
Possibly the most melancholic song in the history of mankind... and I love it. It's all about the words dude and Mr Lama paints such a stark yet poignant picture with them that you can't help putting yourself in his boots. Get a glass of whisky, light up cigarette and think of the lovers that have hurt you... you are now ready for this lesson.