Souchon signed his first contract in 1971, but had no success until he began to collaborate with composer/arranger Laurent Voulzy ; they would write together, but each released albums under his own name. Souchon's first hit was "J'ai 10 ans" (1974), from the album of the same name. Souchon's biggest hit was probably "Foule Sentimentale" from 1995's C'est Deja ca. His recent album is from 2005, called La Vie Theodore which features his song "Et si en plus, y'a personne" [What if, even more, there is no one], a song condemning religious intolerance.
He wrote the theme for François Truffaut's 1979 film Love on the Run (L'amour en fuite).
Billy M' Aime
Alain Souchon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
T'en as des malices, des astuces.
Tu peux nous balancer des virus,
Des bombes à pic, des cactus.
Bien bien bien pensé
Ici, tout le monde est terrorisé.
T'as quoi dans tes cagibis, KGB?
Russe rusé.
Est-ce que je suis drogué, défoncé, tête abîmée,
Esquinté par les liqueurs,
Mais le Tsar il me fait pas peur?
Dans mon cœur, à l'intérieur,
J'ai quelque chose d'efficace
Comme un balai d'essuie-glaces,
Une gomme qui efface toutes les angoisses.
Bill m'aime, Bill, Billy m'aime,
Coup de veine.
Moi, Bill, Billy je l'aime aussi.
Bill m'aime, Bill, Billy m'aime.
Je crois bien que tout au long de ce qui me reste comme jours,
Je l'aimerai toujours,
Toujours.
Yeah, yeah je suis d'accord.
O.K., yankee, c'est toi le plus beau, le plus fort.
On est tous à La Rochelle, sur le port,
Montés sur des échelles pour voir l'Amérique du Nord.
Yankee, t'es fort.
Bien, well, bien joué,
Ton oiseau dollar haut perché
Et l'Europe, elle a l'air fine
Entre les orgues de Staline et tes Pershings.
Est-ce que je suis drogué, défoncé, tête animée,
Esquinté par les liqueurs ?
L’oncle Sam, il me fait pas peur.
Dans mon cœur, à l'intérieur,
J'ai quelque chose d'efficace
Comme un balai d'essuie-glaces,
Une gomme qui efface toutes les angoisses.
Bill m'aime, Bill, Billy m'aime,
Coup de veine.
Moi, Bill, Billy je l'aime aussi.
Bill m'aime, Bill, Billy m'aime.
Je crois bien que tout au long de ce qui me reste comme jours,
Je l'aimerai toujours,
Toujours.
The lyrics to Alain Souchon's song "Billy M'Aime" utilize satire and sarcasm to criticize the political tensions and fears of the Cold War era. The song addresses the USSR, referred to as "russe, russe, rusé russe," and the United States, referred to as "Yankee." Souchon describes the two superpowers as having "malices" and "astuces," and being able to "balancer des virus" and use "bombes à pic" and "cactus."
Souchon also discusses the fear that people feel in this political climate, with the line "Ici, tout le monde est terrorisé." He references the KGB and wonders what they might have hidden in their "cagibis." However, he also asserts his own strength and "quelque chose d'efficace" in his heart that can "efface toutes les angoisses."
The chorus of the song, "Bill m'aime, Bill, Billy m'aime," adds an ironic twist to the political critique. While "Bill" likely refers to the American "Uncle Sam," Souchon uses the phrase to suggest a romantic love for the superpower. He ends the song by stating that he will always love "Bill," implying that despite the political tensions and fears, love can still persist.
Line by Line Meaning
Russe, russe, rusé russe,
Addressing the cunning Russian who is known for his tricks and mischievousness.
T'en as des malices, des astuces.
Acknowledging the Russian's ability to come up with clever schemes and ideas.
Tu peux nous balancer des virus,
Referring to the Russian's capability to spread viruses and cause harm.
Des bombes à pic, des cactus.
Mentioning the Russian's arsenal of weapons and potential to cause destruction.
Bien bien bien pensé
Admiring the Russian's intelligence and strategic thinking.
Ici, tout le monde est terrorisé.
Describing the atmosphere of fear caused by the Russian's actions.
T'as quoi dans tes cagibis, KGB?
Questioning the secretive operations of the KGB and their hidden assets.
C'est bien joué manigancé,
Recognizing the Russian's skillful manipulation of situations.
Russe rusé.
Reinforcing the idea of the Russian's cunning and sly nature.
Est-ce que je suis drogué, défoncé, tête abîmée,
Questioning the state of mind of the artist.
Esquinté par les liqueurs,
Possibly referring to the singer's consumption of alcohol.
Mais le Tsar il me fait pas peur?
Claiming not to be afraid of the Russian leader, despite his reputation.
Dans mon cœur, à l'intérieur,
Describing a personal feeling deep within the singer's heart.
J'ai quelque chose d'efficace
Expressing confidence in something that is effective.
Comme un balai d'essuie-glaces,
Comparing this effective thing to a windshield wiper - something that clears away obstacles and problems.
Une gomme qui efface toutes les angoisses.
Metaphorically describing this effective thing as being able to erase all worries and anxieties.
Bill m'aime, Bill, Billy m'aime,
Introducing the character of Bill who is loved by the artist.
Coup de veine.
Suggesting that this relationship with Bill is a fortunate twist of fate.
Moi, Bill, Billy je l'aime aussi.
Expressing the mutual feelings between the singer and Bill.
Je crois bien que tout au long de ce qui me reste comme jours,
Reflecting on the artist's remaining days and what they may bring.
Je l'aimerai toujours,
Declaring the artist's everlasting love for Bill.
Toujours.
Emphasizing the strong and eternal nature of the artist's feelings for Bill.
Yeah, yeah je suis d'accord.
Agreeing with someone.
O.K., yankee, c'est toi le plus beau, le plus fort.
Praising the Yankees for their strength and beauty.
On est tous à La Rochelle, sur le port,
Describing a scene where everyone is gathered in a certain place.
Montés sur des échelles pour voir l'Amérique du Nord.
Observing the enthusiasm and excitement of people trying to catch a glimpse of North America.
Yankee, t'es fort.
Continuing the admiration for Yankees and their strength.
Bien, well, bien joué,
Acknowledging the superiority of the Yankees and their impressive achievements.
Ton oiseau dollar haut perché
Referring to the impressive dominance of the American economy.
Et l'Europe, elle a l'air fine
Implying that Europe is not as powerful or successful as America.
Entre les orgues de Staline et tes Pershings.
Drawing a contrast between the oppressive legacy of Stalin and the strength of American missiles.
Est-ce que je suis drogué, défoncé, tête animée,
Repeating the initial question about the artist's mental state.
Esquinté par les liqueurs ?
Repeating the earlier reference to alcohol consumption.
L’oncle Sam, il me fait pas peur.
Claiming not to be afraid of Uncle Sam, a symbol of the United States.
Dans mon cœur, à l'intérieur,
Repeating the earlier reference to a personal feeling deep within the singer's heart.
J'ai quelque chose d'efficace
Repeating the confidence in something that is effective.
Comme un balai d'essuie-glaces,
Repeating the comparison of this thing to a windshield wiper.
Une gomme qui efface toutes les angoisses.
Repeating the metaphorical description of this thing as being able to erase all worries and anxieties.
Bill m'aime, Bill, Billy m'aime,
Repeating the introduction of Bill as a character who loves the singer.
Coup de veine.
Repeating the idea that this relationship with Bill is a fortunate twist of fate.
Moi, Bill, Billy je l'aime aussi.
Repeating the declaration of mutual love between the artist and Bill.
Je crois bien que tout au long de ce qui me reste comme jours,
Repeating the reflective statement about the singer's remaining days.
Je l'aimerai toujours,
Repeating the declaration of everlasting love for Bill.
Toujours.
Repeating the emphasis on the strong and eternal nature of the artist's feelings for Bill.
Lyrics © LES EDITIONS ALAIN SOUCHON
Written by: ALAIN SOUCHON, YVES MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind