"Rital" is a difficult to translate French slang term used to refer in a derogatory sense to people of Italian descent, the song deals with Barzotti's experiences as a young child and how "he wanted to be named Dupont (a common French surname)," but the song also deals with his pride concerning the term, exemplified in lines such as "Je suis rital et je le reste," which translates to "I'm Italian and will so remain." Barzotti's career contained throughout the 1980's, and his last major successful song was in 1990's "Aime-moi" (English:Love Me), at which point many people believed his career was far from over. Although Barzotti profited from the wave of nostalgia which gripped France at the turn of the 21st century, he was unable to capture the musical prominence he had once held. Because of his distinctive voice and great successes in the French music industry, he is considered one of the most prominent French pop musicians of the 1980s. Barzotti's music was also popular in Francophone Canada, with songs such as "Je ne t'écrirai plus," (English: I Won't Write You Anymore), "Prends bien soin d'elle," (English: Take Good Care of Her), "C'est moi qui pars," (English: It's Me Who's Leaving), and "J'ai les bleus," (English: I Have the Blues).
Barzotti's songs have also been featured in movies and DVDs in France, the movies in which his songs have been featured have sold more than five million copies. He also wrote the Belgian entry to the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest.
Barzotti's compilation "best of" was released in France in 2003, and he also recorded a more traditional Italian song, "Vado Via." He has released a new single, "Jada," on August 8, 2007, the proceeds from which go to benefit children in poor countries who do not have access to education.
Paolo
Claude Barzotti Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Elle s'interroge, elle ne comprend pas, pourquoi papa dort dans le salon.
Julie chantonne et Julie sourit , elle voit ses cousins d'Italie.
On dirait une fête et pourtant, Nona et Nono pleurent tout le temps.
Paolus, Paolous, Paolo, Paolo,
Qu'est-ce qui t'as pris salaud de nous laisser tomber , de nous quitter.
Paolus, Paolous, Paolo, Paolo,
J'ai des frissons dans l'dos , Paolo est parti et j'ai des insomnies
Et j'ai des insomnies.
Ta petite soeur ne regarde personne , elle tremble, elle essuie ses joues.
Elle se met en boule, se carapaçonne, pleure la tête sur les genoux.
Catherine, Julien , Fripouille et moi, on ne s'y habituera pas
Et ici, comme à Cai'Sera, on manquera toujours de toi.
Retour au refrain (1 fois)
Parlando:
J'espère que tu entends ma chanson , les mots on ne les dit jamais
Je veillerai sur tes filles, ta maison, je voulais te dire, je t'aimais
The lyrics of Claude Barzotti's song Paolo describe the aftermath of someone's sudden departure and the effect it has on their family. Emilie, Julie, and their younger sister are confused and saddened by their father's absence as he is sleeping on the couch and there is an abundance of flowers in the house. Despite the presence of their Italian relatives, Nona and Nono, there is an overarching feeling of sorrow and loss.
The song is punctuated by the repeated chorus of "Paolo, qu'est-ce qui t'as pris salaud de nous laisser tomber, de nous quitter" which translates to "Paolo, what caused you, bastard, to let us down, to leave us?". This indicates resentment and hurt towards Paolo, who is never actually addressed in the song. The singer seems to be grappling with their own emotions surrounding the loss, as they express having "frissons dans l'dos" or chills up their spine, and suffering from insomnia.
In the final verse, the singer addresses Paolo directly, expressing the hope that he can hear their song and the sentiment that they loved him. The overall tone of the song is melancholic and mournful, painting a picture of a family left behind to grapple with their feelings of hurt and abandonment.
Line by Line Meaning
Emilie se demande pourquoi, y'a tant de fleurs dans la maison
Emilie is wondering why there are so many flowers in the house
Elle s'interroge, elle ne comprend pas, pourquoi papa dort dans le salon.
She wonders and can't understand why her father is sleeping in the living room
Julie chantonne et Julie sourit , elle voit ses cousins d'Italie.
Julie sings and smiles while seeing her Italian cousins
On dirait une fête et pourtant, Nona et Nono pleurent tout le temps.
It looks like a celebration, yet Nona and Nono are crying all the time
Refrain:
Paolus, Paolous, Paolo, Paolo,
Qu'est-ce qui t'as pris salaud de nous laisser tomber , de nous quitter.
What got into you, bastard, to abandon us and leave us?
Paolus, Paolous, Paolo, Paolo,
J'ai des frissons dans l'dos , Paolo est parti et j'ai des insomnies
I have chills down my spine, Paolo has left and I have insomnia
Et j'ai des insomnies.
And I have insomnia
Ta petite soeur ne regarde personne , elle tremble, elle essuie ses joues.
Your little sister doesn't look at anyone, she's trembling and wiping her tears
Elle se met en boule, se carapaçonne, pleure la tête sur les genoux.
She curls up, shields herself, cries with her head on her knees
Catherine, Julien , Fripouille et moi, on ne s'y habituera pas
Catherine, Julien, Fripouille, and I won't get used to it
Et ici, comme à Cai'Sera, on manquera toujours de toi.
And here, just like in Cai'Sera, we will always miss you
Retour au refrain (1 fois)
Parlando:
J'espère que tu entends ma chanson , les mots on ne les dit jamais
I hope you hear my song, we never say the words
Je veillerai sur tes filles, ta maison, je voulais te dire, je t'aimais
I will take care of your daughters, your house, I wanted to tell you, I loved you
Contributed by Cameron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-qv9dz9ur4y
Renversant de talent, d'émotions Monsieur Claude Barzotti.
@user-qv9dz9ur4y
J'ai la chair de poule, un tel talent, cette voix unique, magique, toutes ses chansons belles, sublimes !!! On ne s'en lasse pas. Merci bel ange de l'amour poétique, si doux, romantique, tu chante l'amour comme personne. Ici... La bas..... Partout... Toujours.... Ti amo. 💖💙💜
@user-qv9dz9ur4y
Un homme à la Voix, mélodie et texte renversant, bouleversant ! 💖
@user-xy1dt6ry6k
Superbe chanson, comme toutes celles qui font partie de son répertoire. Elles font remonter tant et tant de choses.
@paulettelevesque1990
Quel grand cœur ♥️ pour être capable d’écrire une chanson 🎵 aussi belle pour son ami. Je pleure tellement 😂quel chanteur il y en n’a pas d’autre qui légalise il avait tout
@mariefrancoisearmani8450
Quel bel hommage 😢🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@user-tx8zf3si1n
Восхительная нежная очаровательная чудесная музыкальная композиция
@cedricjourde9369
Chanson tremblante de ma jeunesse aujourd'hui encore je pleure quand je t'écoute...
@anissazentar9535
Très belle chanson. Merci Mr Barzotti
@nivescecconi6816
merci de m avoir fait écouter cette chanson qui me fait toujours et encore pleurer