Heavily influenced by American rock & roll, Mitchell (who went solo in 1963) has often recorded outside France, at first in London, but later in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. Guitarist Jimmy Page and drummer Bob Graham were among the British session musicians who regularly supported him in London.
Il chante il gratte
Eddy Mitchell Lyrics
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À s'trémousser sur Gipsy King, "Bamboléo"
Elles sont disco ou flamenco
Un zeste d'ecstasy et bonjour la techno
Et lui qui doit jouer là ce soir
Oh, j'la sens pas, son histoire
Car il chante, il gratte
Ok, mais pas pour celles
Qui s'prennent pour des Andalouses
Il chante, il gratte
Pour les gens de la nuit
Sa guitare est p't'être à vendre
Mais faut faire monter les prix
J'sens qu'on dérange là
J'vois rôder des types au bar
Y s'disent "qui c'est, c'type?"
"Nous, on attendait une star"
Eux, c'qu'y voudraient c'est un bon slow
Car pour la drague, c'est nul le rock and roll
J'suis son manager, j'pense au fric
Moi l'chèque, lui, la musique
Car il chante, il gratte
Pour tous les fans de rhythm'n'blues
Ok, mais pas pour celles
Qui s'prennent pour des Andalouses
Il chante, il gratte
Pour les gens de la nuit
Sa guitare est p't'être à vendre
Mais faut faire monter les prix, rrr
Il chante, il gratte
Pour tous les fans de rhythm'n'blues
Ok, mais pas pour celles
Qui s'prennent pour des Andalouses
Il chante, il gratte
Pour les gens de la nuit
Sa guitare est p't'être à vendre
Mais faut faire monter les prix, rrr
The lyrics of Eddy Mitchell's song "Il chante il gratte" depict a singer and guitarist who stays true to his love for blues music, despite the expectations and demands of his audience. The song starts by describing the people in the crowd who have faces that seem suited for karaoke, dancing to popular songs like "Bamboléo" by the Gipsy Kings. These people are into disco or flamenco, have a taste for ecstasy and techno music. However, the singer is hesitant about his upcoming performance because he feels that his style of music may not appeal to this particular audience.
The singer is dedicated to his craft and continues to sing and play guitar, but only for those who truly love the blues. He refuses to cater to those who pretend to be Andalusian women, highlighting their thirst for attention and the stage presence they project. He performs for the people of the night, those who understand and appreciate his chosen genre. Although his guitar might be up for sale, he believes that the price should be high, indicating that his artistry is valuable.
In the second verse, tension arises from the presence of some unknown people in the bar who were expecting a more famous artist. They would have preferred a slow song for seduction purposes, as they believe rock and roll is inadequate for attracting romantic partners. The singer's manager, on the other hand, is concerned about the financial aspect and the paycheck, while the singer remains focused on his love for music.
Despite the challenges and the pressure to conform to popular tastes, the singer continues to perform for true rhythm and blues fans. He emphasizes that his music is not meant for those who pretend to be something they're not, and instead, his audience consists of genuine appreciators of the genre. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this sentiment, highlighting the singer's commitment to his art and the value he places on it.
Line by Line Meaning
Elles ont des tronches à faire du karaoké
They have faces that are suited for karaoke
À s'trémousser sur Gipsy King, Blamboléo
To wiggle to Gipsy King, Bamboléo
Elles sont disco ou flamenco
They are into disco or flamenco
Un zeste d'ecstasy et bonjour la techno
A touch of ecstasy and hello techno
Et lui qui doit jouer là ce soir
And him who has to play there tonight
Oh, j'la sens pas, son histoire
Oh, I don't trust his story
Car il chante, il gratte
Because he sings, he strums
Uniquement pour ceux qui aiment le blues
Only for those who love the blues
Ok, mais pas pour celles
Okay, but not for those
Qui s'prennent pour des Andalouses
Who think they're Andalusian
Il chante, il gratte
He sings, he strums
Pour les gens de la nuit
For the people of the night
Sa guitare est p't'être à vendre
His guitar might be for sale
Mais faut faire monter les prix
But you have to raise the price
J'sens qu'on dérange là
I feel like we are disturbing
J'vois rôder des types au bar
I see guys lurking at the bar
Y s'disent 'qui c'est, c'type?'
They say, 'who's that guy?'
'Nous, on attendait une star'
'We were waiting for a star'
Eux, c'qu'y voudraient c'est un bon slow
What they would like is a good slow dance
Car pour la drague, c'est nul le rock and roll
Because for flirting, rock and roll is useless
J'suis son manager, j'pense au fric
I am his manager, I think about the money
Moi l'chèque, lui, la musique
I handle the check, he handles the music
Car il chante, il gratte
Because he sings, he strums
Pour tous les fans de rhythm'n'blues
For all the fans of rhythm and blues
Il chante, il gratte
He sings, he strums
Pour les gens de la nuit
For the people of the night
Il chante, il gratte
He sings, he strums
Sa guitare est p't'être à vendre
His guitar might be for sale
Mais faut faire monter les prix
But you have to raise the price
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Claude Moine, Paul Personne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind