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).
Lettre Aux Dames
Alain Souchon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chères les enfants filles,
J'ai chez moi deux roulements à billes
Qui vont dévaler l'escalier, un jour,
Et venir vous voir,
A cause de l'amour.
Chères les dames,
C'est deux cœurs, quatre espadrilles.
C'est que des balourds gars devant des malignes filles.
Mes petits clowns,
Vous les mettrez down.
Les yeux caillés
Et le cœur liquide,
L'oreiller, c'est là que tout se vide.
Je les connais ces mauvais soirs.
Jusque tard, j'ai fait l'égouttoir.
Chères les dames,
Chères les enfants filles,
C'est une lettre que je vous tortille.
Quand ils seront là-bas, mes rigolos, chez vous,
Allez-y mou.
Allez-y mou.
C'est que des bouts de chou.
The lyrics of Alain Souchon's "Lettre aux dames" speaks to his affection for women and girls of all ages. He writes to them as "dear ladies" and "dear girls," emphasizing his respect and admiration for them. He uses the metaphor of two ball bearings going down the stairs, symbolizing the two hearts that he hopes will meet with the hearts of the women he is addressing. He attributes this motion to love, which is what brings them together. The plan is to allow these clumsy boys to fall and tumble into the girls' lives. Souchon knows that women are often smarter than men, especially when it comes to love, and so he asks that they take things slow and easy with these young guys. He refers to them as "little clowns," and hopes that the girls will not hurt them too badly.
Souchon reflects on how difficult love can be, especially for those who wear their hearts on their sleeves. He describes his "caillés" eyes, or frozen eyes, which are unable to move or express much. His emotional depth, however, is still there in his "liquide" heart that spills out into his pillow at night. He shares that he knows what it's like to have bad nights, watching his tears soak into his pillow. He reinforces that he understands what it's like for these boys to put themselves out there and hopes that the girls will be gentle with them.
In conclusion, Souchon's "Lettre aux dames" is a sentimental and affectionate message of love, appreciation, and admiration. He recognizes women's strength and intelligence while acknowledging the struggles of vulnerability and heartache. The ball bearings that he uses as a metaphor offer a charming image of two hearts in motion, finding their way to each other with some effort, as is often the case in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Chères les dames,
Dear ladies,
Chères les enfants filles,
Dear young girls,
J'ai chez moi deux roulements à billes
I have two ball bearings at home
Qui vont dévaler l'escalier, un jour,
That will one day roll down the stairs
Et venir vous voir,
And come to see you,
A cause de l'amour.
Because of love.
C'est deux cœurs, quatre espadrilles.
It's two hearts, four espadrilles.
C'est que des balourds gars devant des malignes filles.
It's just foolish guys in front of cunning girls.
Mes petits clowns,
My little clowns,
Vous les mettrez down.
You'll bring them down.
Les yeux caillés
Eyes hardened
Et le cœur liquide,
And the heart liquid,
L'oreiller, c'est là que tout se vide.
The pillow, that's where everything flows out.
Je les connais ces mauvais soirs.
I know these bad nights.
Jusque tard, j'ai fait l'égouttoir.
Late into the night, I served as a sounding board.
C'est une lettre que je vous tortille.
It's a letter that I'm twisting for you.
Quand ils seront là-bas, mes rigolos, chez vous,
When my funny guys are over there at your place,
Allez-y mou.
Go slow.
C'est que des bouts de chou.
They're just little kids.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAIN SOUCHON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cedric gervais
ON EN REDECOUVRE ENCORE ET ENCORE....MAGNIFIQUE ECRITURE CET ALAIN SOUCHON
North Jackheerer
merci !
Frédéric Sch
@jackheerer59 C'est avec plaisir. :-)