Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (born Carla Gilberta Bruni Tedeschi, December 23, 1967 … Read Full Bio ↴Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (born Carla Gilberta Bruni Tedeschi, December 23, 1967 in Turin, Italy) is an Italian-born, naturalized French songwriter, singer, former model and the spouse of the former president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy.

At the age of 5, her family left for Paris. When she was 19, she decided to stop studying art and architecture, to become a full-time model.

She was a very successful fashion model until 1998. Since then she has devoted herself to chanson. Her debut album, Quelqu'un m'a dit, on which she sings in French (despite her Italian origin), was released in 2002. To date it has sold over a million copies across Europe. Her second album, No Promises (this time in English, with songs inspired by famous English-language poets), was released in January 2007.

She married then French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, in the beginning of 2008.

Her music career still did not cease after becoming the First Lady. She released her third album Comme si de rien n'était ("As If Nothing Happened") on 11 July 2008. The songs are self-penned except for one rendition of You Belong to Me and another song featuring a poem by Michel Houellebecq set to music. Royalties from the album will be donated to unidentified charitable and humanitarian cause.

J'en connais
Carla Bruni Lyrics

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Un, deux, trois, quatre

J'en connais des qui charment, des qui me laissent femme
J'en connais qui me pâment
J'en connais des jolis, des qui roule comme des filles
Des qui m'piquent mes bodys
J'en connais tant tellement ça me prend tout mon temps
Et même ma maman qui m'adore tendrement

Elle me dit "C'est pas bien, ce n'est pas bon tout ce rien
Reprends ton droit chemin"

J'en connais des superbes, des bien-mûrs
Des acerbes, des velus, des imberbes
J'en connais des sublimes, des mendiants
Des richissimes, des que la vie abîme
J'en connais même tellement ça me prend trop de temps
Et ma pauvre maman se dit en soupirant
"Qu'ais-je fait pour cela
Est-ce de ma faute à moi si ma fille est comme ça"

J'en connais même tellement ça me prend trop de temps
Et ma pauvre maman se dit en soupirant
"Qu'ais-je fait pour cela
Est-ce de ma faute à moi si ma fille est comme ça"
J'en connais dans chaque port dans chaque Sud
Dans chaque Nord, j'en connais sans efforts

J'en connais qui vont dire que je suis bonne à maudire
Et moi ça m'fait sourire

Overall Meaning

Carla Bruni's song J'en connais is a light-hearted and playful take on romantic relationships. The lyrics, which begin with the countdown of "un, deux, trois, quatre" convey the sense of a list being made, as the singer recounts all the different types of men she knows. The first stanza describes those men who charm her and those who leave her feeling like a woman, as well as those who make her swoon and those who steal her clothes. The second stanza continues the list, but with a wider scope, including descriptions of men as gorgeous, mature, bitter, hairy, smooth, beggars, and wealthy, with the caveat that each kind takes up too much of her time.

The refrain describes the reaction of the singer's mother to her daughter's choices: she disapproves, but ultimately accepts her for who she is. The lyrics suggest that the singer enjoys life and is not afraid of exploring her options while acknowledging the impact her choices have on her relationships with others.

The song's playful nature is underscored by the upbeat melody peppered with the occasional whistle that keeps the mood light and playful. The lyrics are not judgmental or critical of the singer's choices in love, but rather celebrate her curiosity and ability to appreciate a wide range of men.

Line by Line Meaning

J'en connais des qui charment, des qui me laissent femme
I know charming people, who make me feel like a woman.

J'en connais qui me pâment
I know people who make me feel weak in the knees.

J'en connais des jolis, des qui roule comme des filles
I know good-looking people who act like girls.

Des qui m'piquent mes bodys
People who steal my clothes.

J'en connais tant tellement ça me prend tout mon temps
I know so many people that it takes up all my time.

Et même ma maman qui m'adore tendrement
Even my mother, who adores me dearly.

Elle me dit "C'est pas bien, ce n'est pas bon tout ce rien
She tells me 'It's not good, all this nothingness.'

Reprends ton droit chemin"
'Get back on the right path.'

J'en connais des superbes, des bien-mûrs
I know beautiful, mature people.

Des acerbes, des velus, des imberbes
And some who are bitter, hairy, or baby-faced.

J'en connais des sublimes, des mendiants
I know sublime people and beggars.