Claude Nougaro (September 9, 1929 Toulouse – March 4, 2004 Paris) was a Fre… Read Full Bio ↴Claude Nougaro (September 9, 1929 Toulouse – March 4, 2004 Paris) was a French songwriter and singer.

Son of an opera singer and an Italian piano teacher (Liette), he was raised by his grandparents in Toulouse, where he heard Glenn Miller, Édith Piaf and Louis Armstrong (among others) on the radio.

In 1947 he failed his baccalaureat and commenced a career in journalism, writing for various journals including Le Journal des Curistes at Vichy and L'Echo d'Alger. At the same time he wrote songs for Marcel Amont (Le barbier de Belleville, Le balayeur du roi) and Philippe Clay (Joseph, La sentinelle). He met Georges Brassens, who became his friend and mentor.

In 1949 he performed his military service in the foreign legion at Rabat, Morocco.

He sent his lyrics to Marguerite Monnot, Édith Piaf's songwriter, who put them to music. (Méphisto, Le Sentier de la guerre). He started to sing for a livelihood in 1959 in a Parisian cabaret in Montmartre, Le lapin agile.

In 1962, he decided to sing his works himself: Une petite fille and Cécile ma fille (dedicated to his daughter, born in 1962 to his wife Sylvie, whom he met at Le lapin agile). These songs made him immediately known to the larger public, which he had already started to penetrate by participating in the concerts of Dalida.

A car accident immobilised him for several months in 1963. The following year he travelled to Brazil, and sang in prestigious halls in Paris: the Olympia, the Palais, the Théâtre de la Ville.

Following the death of his friend Jacques Audiberti in 1965 he wrote, in homage, the song Chanson pour le maçon.

The events of May 1968 inspired him to the torrential Paris Mai, a plea for life, which would be banned from the airwaves. The same year he recorded his first live album at the Olympia: Une soirée avec Claude Nougaro.

His career continued normally punctuated with success: Le jazz et la java, Tu verras, Île de Ré, Armstrong, Toulouse, Petit taureau. But in 1984, his recording company did not renew his contract. Nougaro left for New York, seeking inspiration, and while there wrote and recorded a self-financed disc, Nougayork, whose resounding success was a surprise.

In 1988 Victoires de la musique rewarded him with best album and best artist, and between 1993 and 1997 he released three new albums.

His health deteriorated after 1995, when he underwent a heart operation. In 2003, his condition left him unable to appear at the festival du Verbe at Toulouse. From 1998 to 2004 he devoted himself more to concerts and festivals, apart from an album in aid of children suffering from AIDS. Having undergone further surgery in early 2004, he died of cancer in March, 74 years old.

His music drew inspiration, among other sources, from American jazz, from which he borrowed heavily (Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins), but also from Brazilian music (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell de Aquino, Chico Buarque).

E Pericoloso Sporgersi
Claude Nougaro Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dans le morne train train des familles
Ou dans le glorieux Paris Vintimille
Il existe un conseil, un avis
E Pericoloso Sporgersi

Si lassé des voisins qui roupillent
Par la vitre baissée, tu te dessilles
En comptant les points d'or de la nuit

E Pericoloso Sporgersi

Il est dangereux de se pencher au dehors
Quel que soit ton train de vie
Et si la vie te mène en bateau, qu'à tribord
Une vague verte te ravit
E Pericoloso Sporgersi

Tu peux baisser la glace dans la gare
Pour un dernier regard, mais déjà gare,
Gare à toi, le sifflet retentit
E Pericoloso Sporgersi

Tu n'as plus qu'à t'asseoir, prendre un livre
Ou bien dans le couloir, d'un pas d'homme ivre
Aller jusqu'aux toilettes, faire pipi, ma
E Pericoloso Sporgersi

Il est dangereux de se pencher au dehors
Quel que soit ton wagon lit
Sur tes grandes lignes de vie, d'amour ou de mort,
Dans le train fantôme des zombies
E Pericoloso Sporgersi

Dans le morne train train des familles
Ou dans le glorieux Paris Vintimille
Il existe un conseil, un avis
E Pericoloso Sporgersi

E Pericoloso Sporgersi
E Pericoloso Sporgersi

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Claude Nougaro's song "E Pericoloso Sporgersi" warn against the dangers of leaning out of a moving train. The first verse "Dans le morne train train des familles / Ou dans le glorieux Paris Vintimille" sets the scene of the mundane routine of family life or the glamorous journey from Paris to Ventimiglia. The lyrics suggest that in these ordinary or extraordinary situations, there is a piece of advice to heed.

The refrain "E Pericoloso Sporgersi" is repeated multiple times throughout the song, conveying the Italian phrase which translates to "It Is Dangerous to Lean Out." This phrase serves as a constant reminder throughout the song to be cautious and mindful of the risks associated with leaning out of a train window.

The second verse mentions the tired neighbors who are dozing off, and the singer opens the window and begins to observe the golden points of the night. This implies that even in moments of boredom or monotony, there is a temptation to seek excitement or beauty outside of the train. However, the dangers of doing so are reinforced with the refrain.

The third verse warns of the dangers of leaning out even during moments of exhilaration, suggesting that regardless of one's lifestyle or social status, caution should always be exercised. The lyrics use the metaphor of being on a boat, where a green wave captures your attention. This indicates that even when life seems exciting and captivating, one should resist the temptation to put oneself at risk by leaning out of the window.

The final verse portrays the moment when someone may lower their window in a station to have one last look, but they are quickly reminded of the dangers with the sound of a whistle. This emphasizes that the dangers of leaning out are a constant presence, and one must remain vigilant even in moments of sentimentality or farewell. The refrain "E Pericoloso Sporgersi" serves as a final warning in the song, urging the listener to consider the consequences of such actions.

Overall, "E Pericoloso Sporgersi" is a cautionary song that highlights the risks of leaning out of a train and advises listeners to prioritize their safety. The lyrics use vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the dangers present in both mundane and extraordinary moments, emphasizing the importance of being mindful and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Line by Line Meaning

Dans le morne train train des familles
In the monotonous train ride of families

Ou dans le glorieux Paris Vintimille
Or in the glorious Paris Vintimille

Il existe un conseil, un avis
There exists advice, a warning