Aznavour has sung for presidents, popes and royalty, as well as at humanitarian events. In response to the 1988 Armenian earthquake, he founded the charitable organization Aznavour for Armenia along with his long-time friend impresario Levon Sayan. In 2009, he was appointed ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland, as well as Armenia's permanent delegate to the United Nations at Geneva. On 24 August 2017, Aznavour was awarded the 2,618th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On 17 September 2018, his last concert took place in NHK Hall, Tokyo.
Charles Aznavour died on 1 October 2018.
Charles Aznavour was perhaps the best-known French music hall entertainer in the world -- renowned the world over for the bittersweet love songs he has written and sung, which seem to embody the essence of French popular song, and also for his appearances on screen in such wildly divergent fare as Shoot the Piano Player, Candy, and The Tin Drum. His status as the quintessential French popular culture icon is something of an irony for a man who identifies himself most closely with his Armenian heritage. His father was a singer and sometime-restaurateur, while his mother was an actress and part-time seamstress. His father's singing, done in a notably impassioned style, heavily influenced Aznavour's approach to singing as a boy. Although he had a voracious appetite for music, he also had a serious impediment growing up, in the form of a paralyzed vocal cord that gave his voice a raspy quality. He channeled some of his energy into theater, making both his stage and screen debuts at age nine, in 1933, in the theater piece Un bon petit diable and in the film La guerre des gosses. As an adolescent, he danced in nightclubs and sold newspapers, as well as touring with theatrical companies, and he wrote a nightclub act in partnership with Pierre Roche -- Aznavour wrote the lyrics to their songs and it was through that material that he began his singing career. Early on, he learned to overcome his fears about his vocal limitations, in part with help from singing legend Édith Piaf, for whom he worked as a chauffeur, among other capacities; with her help, he developed a style that suited his capabilities and played to his strengths and also continued writing songs in earnest, some of which were performed by Piaf.
His success came very slowly, however. Aznavour at first found some difficulty being accepted as a composer in France or anywhere else. His compositions, although considered tame by any modern standard, were regarded as too risqué for French radio and were banned from the airwaves for a decade or more, from the late '40s through the end of the 1950s; American publishers seemed equally reticent about them, as he discovered on a visit to New York in 1948. That trip did yield his first performing engagement in the city, however, at the Cafe Society Downtown in Greenwich Village. For the next decade, Aznavour made his living as a performer in second-tier clubs and middle- or bottom-of-the-bill berths on three continents. His mix of daringly original and frank love songs, coupled with a limited but very expressive singing style, left audiences somewhat bewildered at first.
His breakthrough came in 1956, during a vaudeville engagement in Casablanca, where the audience reaction was so positive that Aznavour was moved to headliner status. After this, it became easier for the singer to find better engagements in France; by 1958 he even had a recording contract. He made his screen debut that same year in a dramatic role, playing an epileptic in George Franju's La tête contre les murs. He also composed music for Alex Joff's Du rififi chez les femmes in 1958; From there, he moved on to bigger roles in better movies, including Jean Cocteau's Testament of Orpheus and Francois Truffaut's Shoot the Piano Player. The latter movie turned Aznavour into a screen star in France and opened the way for his breakthrough in America. He sang at Carnegie Hall in the early '60s and followed this up in 1965 with a one-man show, The World of Charles Aznavour, at the Ambassador Hotel in New York, which drew rave notices from audiences and critics alike. By that time, the once-struggling singer had secured his first American LP release with the similarly titled album The World of Charles Aznavour on Reprise Records, the label founded and run by Frank Sinatra.
Aznavour would be the last to compare himself with those whom he regards as truly gifted vocalists, such as Sinatra and Mel Tormé, preferring to think of himself as a composer who also happens to sing. His style of performing has been compared variously to Maurice Chevalier and Sinatra and has remained enduringly popular for four decades. Almost all of Aznavour's songs deal with love and its permutations, running the gamut from upbeat, joyous pieces such as Après l'amour and J'ai perdu la tête to the dark-hued J'en déduis que je t'aime and Bon anniversaire. A teetotaler and a racing car enthusiast, Aznavour has been married three times and has four children.
Bon anniversaire
Charles Aznavour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Et je suis prêt déjà depuis pas mal de temps
Ce soir est important, car c'est l'anniversaire
Du jour où le bonheur t'avait vêtue de blanc
Mais je te sens nerveuse, au bord de la colère
Alors je ne dis rien, mieux vaut être prudent
Si je disais un mot, ton fichu caractère
Il est huit heures un quart, et tu attends la robe
Qu'on devait te livrer ce matin au plus tard
Pour comble tes cheveux au peigne se dérobent
Tout semble se liguer pour qu'on soit en retard
Si tout va de ce train, la soirée au théâtre
Et l'auteur à la mode, on s'en fera un deuil
Adieu pièce d'Anouilh, d'Anouilh, ou bien de Sartre
Je ne sais plus très bien, mais j'ai deux bons fauteuils
Bon anniversaire
Bon anniversaire
Ta robe est arrivée, enfin, et tu respires
Moi pour gagner du temps je t'aide de mon mieux
Tout semble s'arranger mais soudain c'est le pire
La fermeture s'arrête et coince au beau milieu
On s'énerve tous deux, on pousse et puis l'on tire
On s'y mêle les doigts, on y met tant d'ardeur
Que dans un bruit affreux, le tissu se déchire
Et je vois tes espoirs se transformer en pleurs
Aux environs d'onze heures, enfin te voilà prête
Mais le temps d'arriver le théâtre est fermé, viens
Allez viens, nous irons souper tous deux en tête à tête
Non, tu as le coeur gros, tu préfères rentrer
Par les rues lentement, nous marchons en silence
Tu souris, je t'embrasse, et tu souris encore
La soirée est gâchée, mais on a de la chance
Puisque nous nous aimons, l'amour est le plus fort
Bon anniversaire
Bon anniversaire
Bon anniversaire
In the song "Bon anniversaire", Charles Aznavour narrates a memorable night that he prepared for his lover. He describes how he dressed his best and waited for the special day. Despite the hype of the day, the character of the lover is depicted as moody and anxious. The song talks about how the lady becomes increasingly nervous as she waits for her dress to arrive. When the dress eventually comes, it is faulty and the zipper gets stuck, causing the lady a lot of distress. Even with all these unfortunate scenarios and events, Aznavour explains that the two lovers are grateful for one thing, and that is their love which has survived the ups and downs of many anniversaries.
The lyrics of the song are deep and insightful, demonstrating that true love can withstand challenges and setbacks while still finding strength in endurance and appreciation. It portrays the complexities of the human experience, weaving a tragic tale of loss, patience, hope, and joy in a relationship. Charles Aznavour tells a story about the value of love and how its power transcends everything, including the most frustrating and tragic moments in life. It shows that special moments shared between two people can be celebrated with joy, even when things might not turn out as expected.
Line by Line Meaning
J'ai mis mon complet neuf, mes souliers qui me serrent
I've put on my new suit and tight shoes
Et je suis prêt déjà depuis pas mal de temps
And I've been ready for quite some time now
Ce soir est important, car c'est l'anniversaire
Tonight is important because it's your birthday
Du jour où le bonheur t'avait vêtue de blanc
The day when happiness dressed you in white
Mais je te sens nerveuse, au bord de la colère
But I can sense you're nervous, on the verge of anger
Alors je ne dis rien, mieux vaut être prudent
So I say nothing, it's better to be careful
Si je disais un mot, ton fichu caractère
If I said a word, your darn character
M'enverrais sur les roses, et l'on perdrait du temps
Would send me packing, wasting our precious time
Il est huit heures un quart, et tu attends la robe
It's quarter past eight, and you're waiting for the dress
Qu'on devait te livrer ce matin au plus tard
That was supposed to be delivered this morning at the latest
Pour comble tes cheveux au peigne se dérobent
To complete your look, your hair is slipping away from the comb
Tout semble se liguer pour qu'on soit en retard
Everything seems to conspire to make us late
Si tout va de ce train, la soirée au théâtre
If everything goes at this rate, the theater evening
Et l'auteur à la mode, on s'en fera un deuil
And the trendy author, we'll have to say goodbye
Adieu pièce d'Anouilh, d'Anouilh, ou bien de Sartre
Goodbye Anouilh's play, Anouilh's or maybe Sartre's
Je ne sais plus très bien, mais j'ai deux bons fauteuils
I'm not entirely sure anymore, but I have two good seats
Ta robe est arrivée, enfin, et tu respires
Your dress has finally arrived, and you breathe a sigh of relief
Moi pour gagner du temps je t'aide de mon mieux
To save time, I do my best to help you
Tout semble s'arranger mais soudain c'est le pire
Everything seems to be going well, but suddenly it's the worst
La fermeture s'arrête et coince au beau milieu
The zipper stops and gets stuck in the middle
On s'énerve tous deux, on pousse et puis l'on tire
We both get frustrated, pushing and pulling
On s'y mêle les doigts, on y met tant d'ardeur
Our fingers get tangled in it, we put so much effort
Que dans un bruit affreux, le tissu se déchire
That with a horrible sound, the fabric tears apart
Et je vois tes espoirs se transformer en pleurs
And I see your hopes turn into tears
Aux environs d'onze heures, enfin te voilà prête
Around eleven o'clock, you're finally ready
Mais le temps d'arriver le théâtre est fermé, viens
But by the time we arrive, the theater is closed, come on
Allez viens, nous irons souper tous deux en tête à tête
Come on, we'll go have dinner just the two of us
Non, tu as le coeur gros, tu préfères rentrer
No, you're feeling bad, you'd rather go back home
Par les rues lentement, nous marchons en silence
Slowly, we walk in silence through the streets
Tu souris, je t'embrasse, et tu souris encore
You smile, I kiss you, and you smile again
La soirée est gâchée, mais on a de la chance
The evening is ruined, but we're lucky
Puisque nous nous aimons, l'amour est le plus fort
Because we love each other, love is the strongest
Bon anniversaire
Happy Birthday
Bon anniversaire
Happy Birthday
Bon anniversaire
Happy Birthday
Lyrics © EDITIONS MUSICALES DJANIK, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Charles Aznavour
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@evensmail
J'ai mis mon complet neuf, mes souliers qui me serrent
Et je suis prêt déjà depuis pas mal de temps
Ce soir est important, car c'est l'anniversaire
Du jour où le bonheur t'avait vêtue de blanc
Mais je te sens nerveuse au bord de la colère
Alors je ne dis rien, mieux vaut être prudent
Si je disais un mot, ton fichu caractère
M'enverrait sur les roses et l'on perdrait du temps
Il est huit heures un quart et tu attends la robe
Qu'on devait te livrer ce matin au plus tard
Pour comble tes cheveux au peigne se dérobent
Tout semble se liguer pour qu'on soit en retard
Si tout va de ce train la soirée au théâtre
Et l'auteur à la mode, on s'en fera un deuil
Adieu pièce d'Anouilh, d'Anouilh ou bien de Sartre
Je ne sais plus très bien, mais j'ai deux bons fauteuils
Bon anniversaire ! Bon anniversaire!
Ta robe est arrivée, enfin tu respires
Moi pour gagner du temps je t'aide de mon mieux
Tout semble s'arranger mais soudain c'est le pire
La fermeture s’arrête et coince au beau milieu
On s'énerve tous deux, on pousse et puis l'on tire
On se mêle les doigts, on y met tant d'ardeur
Que dans un bruit affreux le tissu se déchire
Et je vois tes espoirs se transformer en pleurs
Aux environs d’onze heures enfin te voilà prête
Mais le temps d'arriver, le théâtre est fermé
Viens, aller viens nous irons souper tous deux en tête à tête
Non tu as le cœur gros, non tu préfères rentrer
Par les rues lentement nous marchons en silence
Tu souris, je t'embrasse et tu souris encore
La soirée est gâchée mais on a de la chance
Puisque nous nous aimons l'amour est le plus fort
Bon anniversaire! Bon anniversaire!
Bon anniversaire!
@Mr.JuniTo
The Best! ❤ Makes me think of my Father. Listening to this master piece, gives me peace. 🇩🇴🙏🙌
@evensmail
J'ai mis mon complet neuf, mes souliers qui me serrent
Et je suis prêt déjà depuis pas mal de temps
Ce soir est important, car c'est l'anniversaire
Du jour où le bonheur t'avait vêtue de blanc
Mais je te sens nerveuse au bord de la colère
Alors je ne dis rien, mieux vaut être prudent
Si je disais un mot, ton fichu caractère
M'enverrait sur les roses et l'on perdrait du temps
Il est huit heures un quart et tu attends la robe
Qu'on devait te livrer ce matin au plus tard
Pour comble tes cheveux au peigne se dérobent
Tout semble se liguer pour qu'on soit en retard
Si tout va de ce train la soirée au théâtre
Et l'auteur à la mode, on s'en fera un deuil
Adieu pièce d'Anouilh, d'Anouilh ou bien de Sartre
Je ne sais plus très bien, mais j'ai deux bons fauteuils
Bon anniversaire ! Bon anniversaire!
Ta robe est arrivée, enfin tu respires
Moi pour gagner du temps je t'aide de mon mieux
Tout semble s'arranger mais soudain c'est le pire
La fermeture s’arrête et coince au beau milieu
On s'énerve tous deux, on pousse et puis l'on tire
On se mêle les doigts, on y met tant d'ardeur
Que dans un bruit affreux le tissu se déchire
Et je vois tes espoirs se transformer en pleurs
Aux environs d’onze heures enfin te voilà prête
Mais le temps d'arriver, le théâtre est fermé
Viens, aller viens nous irons souper tous deux en tête à tête
Non tu as le cœur gros, non tu préfères rentrer
Par les rues lentement nous marchons en silence
Tu souris, je t'embrasse et tu souris encore
La soirée est gâchée mais on a de la chance
Puisque nous nous aimons l'amour est le plus fort
Bon anniversaire! Bon anniversaire!
Bon anniversaire!
@francoisetominez2768
J'adore.cette chanson de Aznavour,qui sait avec grande maîtrise,et poésie,transformer de banale faits quotidiens,en très belle chanson ! Merci Charles 🌹
@miskotasic7157
Un artiste, chantant de son âme, un grand homme. MERCI monsieur AZNAVOUR
@radugrosu
Un grand homme, a great artist, dumnezeu sa-l odihnească in pace, multumesc!
@jeanernstpaul9263
Un chef-d’œuvre éternel de ce grand homme inoubliable
@mariaaugustage4235
amo essa canção!
@remifakhri7470
Des frissons comme pour toutes ses merveilleuses chansons
@arnaldomonteiro6221
Parabéns por mais um ano de vida! Que Sr Jeová te proteja meu filho.
@jacquelinedesir4453
Toutes des perles les chansons de ce grand monsieur...Merci