French Music – Flowers for the soul Posted by Tim Hildreth on Sep 29, 2020 in Culture, Music, Vocabulary
Vous savez que j’aime la musique (you know that I love music) and I find it to be both a great escape and a great way to practice language skills. But when pop stars go beyond dance beats they can move more than our feet.
And in these troubling times we can all use a reminder that la vie est belle (life is beautiful) and to focus on the world outside ourselves.
In researching last week’s post about contemporary artists, I came across this lovely song from Clara Luciani.
| Quand tout fout le camp | When everything flies apart |
| Quand tout est décevant | When everything is disappointing |
| Quand rien n’est à sa place | When nothing is where it should be |
| Pas même moi | Not even me |
| Quand tout me lasse | When everything leaves me bored |
| Quand tout est dégueulasse | When everything is disgusting |
| Quand rien ne vaut la peine | When nothing is worth the effort |
| Pas même moi | Not even me |
| Je pense aux fleurs | I think about flowers |
| Qui sont parfaites | Which are perfect |
| Qui n’ont pas d’autre rôle que de l’être | With no other rôle to play except to be (perfect) |
| Je pense aux fleurs | I think about the flowers |
| Et c’est bête | And it’s dumb |
| Mais j’envie leur beauté muette | But I envy them their silent beauty |
| Quand les faits divers | When the news of the day |
| Me donnent des insomnies | Keeps me up at night |
| Que rien ne me guérit | And nothing heals me |
| Pas même toi | Not even me |
| Quand je cherche un sens | When I am looking for meaning |
| À ma longue errance | To my long wandering |
| Que rien ne me soulage | When nothing relieves me |
| Rien ne me séduit | Nothing interests me |
| [Refrain] | [Chorus] |
| Que mon cœur implose | When my heart implodes |
| Qu’on me morde mes pensées | When my thoughts are eating me up |
| M’enivre comme une vague | Pulling me under like a wave |
| Prête à m’avaler | Ready to smallow me |
| Quand je suis coincée | When I’m stuck |
| Dans un corps trop étroit | In a body that is too tight |
| Que je sens l’univers | And I feel the universe |
| Se refermer sur moi | Closing in on me |
| [Refrain] |
Mise au jour / Update
La semaine dernière1While it is a little less common, you may also see la semaine passée une grande artiste nous a quitté (Last week, we lost another great artist). The French singer Juliette Gréco2Click to see her official obituary in The Guardian. passed away at the age of 93. You can enjoy one of her songs here.
Photo by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels
- 1While it is a little less common, you may also see la semaine passée
- 2Click to see her official obituary in The Guardian.
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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.
Comments:
Helene:
Thank you. I think this is beautiful I love it!
Tim Hildreth:
@Helene Merci, Hélène. Je suis content que ça vous plaise. I am happy that you like it.