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).
Tu verras
Claude Nougaro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
L'amour, c'est fait pour ça, tu verras, tu verras
Je ferai plus le con, j'apprendrai ma leçon
Sur le bout de tes doigts, tu verras, tu verras
Tu auras ta maison avec des tuiles bleues
Des croisées d'hortensias, des palmiers pleins les cieux
Des hivers crépitants près du chat angora
Et je m'endormirai, tu verras, tu verras
Avec dans mes greniers, mes caves et mes toits
Tous les rêves du monde
Ah, tu verras, tu verras, tout recommencera, tu verras, tu verras
La vie, c'est fait pour ça, tu verras, tu verras
Tu verras mon stylo emplumé de soleil
Neiger sur le papier l'archange du réveil
Je me réveillerai, tu verras, tu verras
Tout rayé de soleil, Ah! le joli forçat
Et j'irai réveiller le bonheur dans ses draps
Je crèverai son sommeil, tu verras, tu verras
Je crèverai le sommier, tu verras, tu verras
En t'inventant l'amour dans le coeur de mes bras
Jusqu'au matin du monde
Ah, tu verras, tu verras, tout recommencera, tu verras, tu verras
Le diable est fait pour ça, tu verras, tu verras
Je ferai le voyou, tu verras, tu verras
Je boirai comme un trou et qui vivra mourra
Tu me ramassera dans tes yeux de rosée
Et je t'insulterai dans du verre brisé
Je serai fou furieux, tu verras, tu verras
Contre toi, contre tous et surtout contre moi
La porte de mon coeur grondera, sautera
Car la poudre et la foudre c'est fait pour que les rats
Envahissent le monde
Ah, tu verras, tu verras, tout recommencera, tu verras, tu verras
Mozart est fait pour ça, tu verras, entendras
Tu verras notre enfant étoilé de sueur
S'endormir gentiment à l'ombre de ses soeurs
Et revenir vers nous sautillant de vigueur
Tu verras, mon amie, dans les eaux de mes bras
Craquer du fin bonheur de se sentir aidé
Tu me verras, chérie, allumé des clartés
Et tu verras tous ceux qu'on croyait décédés
Reprendre souffle et vie dans la chair de ma voix
Jusqu'à la fin du monde
Ah, tu verras, tu verras
"Tu verras" is a French song by Claude Nougaro, released in 1962. The song is about the singer's promises to his lover after a fight, that they will start anew and everything will be fine. The repetition of the phrase "tu verras" throughout the song emphasizes the singer's confidence that things will work out. The first verse expresses his commitment to not act foolishly, and to learn from his lover's guidance. He promises to make a home for them, with blue tiles and windows overflowing with flowers, and to fall asleep with a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
The second verse is about the singer's creative aspirations, saying that with the love and support of his partner, he will be able to write music and be successful. He assures her that he will wake up refreshed and inspired, and that he will break through the negativity and darkness to bring light into their world. The third verse is darker, referencing the "devil" that is within everyone, and how he may act out and fall apart at times. However, he also promises that his partner will be able to calm him during those moments, and that they will work together to persevere.
Overall, "Tu verras" is a song that speaks to the ups and downs of relationships, and the importance of forgiveness, growth, and support. It's an ode to the power of love to lift people up and bring them back together, no matter what comes their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, tu verras, tu verras, tout recommencera, tu verras, tu verras
The singer asserts that the future holds promise, and that everything will start anew, potentially anticipating that positive changes await.
L'amour, c'est fait pour ça, tu verras, tu verras
Love is an important aspect of life, it can bring contentment and fulfillment.
Je ferai plus le con, j'apprendrai ma leçon
The singer is pledging to not repeat past mistakes.
Sur le bout de tes doigts, tu verras, tu verras
The artist suggests that they will be completely devoted and attentive to their loved one.
Tu auras ta maison avec des tuiles bleues
The artist envisions creating a happy and comfortable home together with their loved one, depicted in detail.
Des croisées d'hortensias, des palmiers pleins les cieux
The singer imagines a beautiful and serene environment for their home, filled with flowers and greenery.
Des hivers crépitants près du chat angora
The singer looks forward to cozy winters spent together with their loved one and a pet cat.
Et je m'endormirai, tu verras, tu verras
The artist imagines finding peace and comfort in their loved one's arms at bedtime.
Le devoir accompli, couché tout contre toi
The artist envisions that their work will be done for the day and they will be able to rest close to their loved one.
Avec dans mes greniers, mes caves et mes toits
The artist envisions a home filled with many spaces and storage areas.
Tous les rêves du monde
The singer imagines the possibility of fulfilling all their dreams with their loved one by their side.
Tu verras mon stylo emplumé de soleil
The artist describes a metaphorical image of a pen shining brightly in the light, symbolizing their creativity.
Neiger sur le papier l'archange du réveil
The singer uses poetic language to describe their writing process, both imaginative and uplifting.
Je me réveillerai, tu verras, tu verras
The singer anticipates awakening and feeling reinvigorated.
Tout rayé de soleil, Ah! le joli forçat
The singer imagines a bright and hopeful future for themselves.
Et j'irai réveiller le bonheur dans ses draps
The artist anticipates moving towards happiness and finding fulfillment in their life.
Je crèverai son sommeil, tu verras, tu verras
The artist asserts that nothing will stand in the way of their pursuit of happiness.
Je crèverai le sommier, tu verras, tu verras
The singer uses figurative language to describe the determination they have in their pursuit of happiness.
En t'inventant l'amour dans le coeur de mes bras
The singer is emphasizing their devotion to their loved one and their desire to give them all their love.
Jusqu'au matin du monde
The artist suggests that their love will continue until the end of time.
Le diable est fait pour ça, tu verras, tu verras
The artist acknowledges the negativity in the world, but believes that they can overcome it.
Je ferai le voyou, tu verras, tu verras
The artist suggests that they may sometimes act unruly or against the norm, but this is a part of who they are and their desire to live life to the fullest without regret.
Je boirai comme un trou et qui vivra mourra
The singer is saying that they will live life to its fullest, even if it means facing its darker sides.
Tu me ramassera dans tes yeux de rosée
The artist believes that their loved one will always be there to comfort them, even during difficult times.
Et je t'insulterai dans du verre brisé
The singer suggests that they may hurt their loved one in moments of anger or frustration, but still hopes for their understanding and forgiveness.
Je serai fou furieux, tu verras, tu verras
The singer anticipates that they may become angry or passionate about things, but these emotions are also a part of the beauty of life.
Contre toi, contre tous et surtout contre moi
The singer suggests that they may face challenges or opposition in life but will always find strength in their love.
La porte de mon coeur grondera, sautera
The artist is emphasizing the strength of their emotions, potentially indicating that their love is powerful and all-encompassing.
Car la poudre et la foudre c'est fait pour que les rats
The artist is reflecting on the destructive or chaotic aspects of the world, but suggesting that these are necessary parts of a greater whole.
Envahissent le monde
The singer suggests that negative aspects of the world inevitably occur, but emphasizes that they will not be defeated by them.
Mozart est fait pour ça, tu verras, entendras
The singer suggests that music is a source of beauty and inspiration, and may play an important role in their life with their loved one.
Tu verras notre enfant étoilé de sueur
The artist imagines the happiness of raising a child together with their loved one, perhaps emphasizing the beauty of family life.
S'endormir gentiment à l'ombre de ses soeurs
The artist describes the peaceful and comfortable life that they imagine building together with their loved one.
Et revenir vers nous sautillant de vigueur
The artist imagines their child returning to them with energy and enthusiasm.
Tu verras, mon amie, dans les eaux de mes bras
The singer assures their loved one that they will always be there to comfort and support them.
Craquer du fin bonheur de se sentir aidé
The artist imagines their loved one experiencing deep happiness and contentment, knowing that they have their support.
Tu me verras, chérie, allumé des clartés
The singer suggests that their loved one will see them in a positive, illuminating light.
Et tu verras tous ceux qu'on croyait décédés
The singer suggests that they will maintain connections with those who are important to them, even those who may have been lost or forgotten.
Reprendre souffle et vie dans la chair de ma voix
The singer believes that their love and passion for life will inspire others to feel rejuvenated and renewed.
Jusqu'à la fin du monde
The artist concludes the song with a repetition of the refrain, emphasizing their belief in the power of love and hope for the future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Chico Buarque, Claude Nougaro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind