French Music – Nach Posted by Tim Hildreth on Apr 30, 2019 in Culture, Music, Vocabulary
The global music scene is so diverse these days. Musical styles and personal styles mix to give us fun and inspiring songs that reflect a broader sense of the human condition. I really like this song from the French singer Nach and its message.
Nach (Anne Chedid) is another scion of the well known Chedid family. Petite-fille de la poétesse Andrée Chedid, fille du chanteur Louis Chedid, et soeur du chanteur Matthieu Chedid (dit M) (Grand-daughter of the poet Andree Chedid, daughter of the singer Louis Chedid, and sister of the singer Mathieu Chedid (known as M).
In the wake of the devastating incendie (fire) that ravaged Notre-Dame earlier in April, there have been some good news stories to hearten those saddened by the massive losses. In addition to many of the relics surviving, les abeilles (the bees) who call the cathedral home appear to have survived, as did the organ and the sculptures that adorned the steeple (which had been removed for the renovations that were underway).
| J’veux* être belle mais j’y arrive pas | I want to be pretty, but I just don’t seem to be able |
| Dans ma tête, c’est pas la joie | In my head, it’s all grey |
| C’est la fête dehors, on danse | Outside parties, dancing |
| On s’embrasse, et moi je pense | People kissing, and me I think |
| Je les vois, les jolies filles | I see them, the pretty girls |
| Dans les rues elles me titillent, | In the streets they excite me |
| L’air des marches douces et fragiles | Their air of fragility and gentleness |
| M’insupporte, ça m’rend* hostile | I’ve had enough, it makes me mad |
| Je suis moi, rien que moi J’ai dans ma ligne de mire | I’m just me, nothing but me. I’ve got my eyes on* |
| Celle que je ne suis pas | Those that I am not |
| Je suis moi, rien que moi | I am me, just me |
| En soirée, les belles plantes | Out for the night, the pretty plants |
| Se déhanchent, flamboyantes | Strut, they sparkle |
| En paillettes et en œillades | In sequins and winks |
| C’est un fait, ça m’rend* malade | There’s no two was about it, it makes me sick |
| Moi, jalouse? Pas du tout | Jealous, me ? Not at all |
| Bon, d’accord, allez j’avoue | Well, ok, I admit it |
| J’voudrais* bien, rien qu’une fois | I just wish one time |
| Qu’on m’regarde* un peu comme ça | That someone would look at me like that |
| Un beau jour, mon heure viendra | Someday, my time will come |
| A mon tour, la candeur et l’éclat | And it will be my turn, candor and flash |
| Je suis moi, rien que moi J’ai dans ma ligne de mire | I’m just me, nothing but me. I’ve got an eye on |
| Celle que je ne suis pas | Those that aren’t me |
| Je suis moi, rien que moi | I’m me, just me |
| J’ai du charme, c’est c’qu’on me dit | I’m charming, that’s what they tell me |
| C’est un drame, j’veux être jolie | It’s all drama, I want to be pretty |
| J’ai brisé tous mes miroirs | I’ve smashed all my mirrors |
| Si belle, si bien dans le noir | So beautiful, so good in the dark |
| Je suis moi, rien que moi J’ai dans ma ligne de mire | I am me, just me I’m aiming for |
| Toute celle que je ne suis pas | All those that I am not |
| Je suis moi, rien que moi | I’m me, just me |
Songwriters: Anna Chedid Je suis moi lyrics © Warner Chappell Music France, Anna Chedid Publishing
* Like many songs, this one includes many examples of the ways that spoken/sung French differs from formal written French. These examples all drop the “e” to elide a pronoun with the following verb.
Image Jeangagnon [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
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About the Author: Tim Hildreth
Since my first trip to France at 16, I have been a passionate francophile. I love the language, food, music, art, people, and more that make France and la Francophonie in general such an amazing part of our global community. Having lived in France and studied the language and culture for over 35 years, it is my great pleasure to be able to share a little bit of my deep love with you through this blog.