Eddy Mitchell (born Claude Moine July 3, 1942, Paris) is a French singer an… Read Full Bio ↴Eddy Mitchell (born Claude Moine July 3, 1942, Paris) is a French singer and actor. He began his career in the late 1950s, with the group Les Chaussettes Noires (The Black Socks), taking his name from the American expatriate tough-guy actor Eddie Constantine (later the star of Jean-Luc Godard's Alphaville). The band performed at the Parisian nightclub Le Golf Drouot before signing to Barclay Records and finding almost instant success; in 1961 it sold two million records.

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.

Oldie But Goodie
Eddy Mitchell Lyrics

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Quand t'auras tes dix-neuf ans
J'serai plus blond comme avant
Fini l'Odyssée d'l'Espace
Deux mille un, impair et passe
Tu viendras me demander
Pourquoi, comment t'es née
Je te parlerai d'amour
Que le temps m'paraît court

J'fais pas dans la nostalgie
J'veux pas r'faire le monde, la vie
J'dis tout même si tu souris
J'suis p't'être oldie but goodie
Goodie goodie
Moi j'ai fait mal à ma mère
Pas d'études secondaires
Vers quinze ans j'suis parti
M'balader dans ma vie
Et de décalages horaires
De tournées en galas galères
Dancings et salles des fêtes
J'confonds tout dans ma tête
J'fais pas dans la nostalgie
J'oublie pas c'que j'ai appris
Celle que j'aime comprend c'que j'dis
J'suis p't'être oldie but goodie
Goodie goodie
J'fais pas dans la nostalgie
J'suis p't'être oldie but goodie
J'oublie pas c'que j'ai appris
J'suis p't'être oldie but goodie
Celle que j'aime comprend c'que j'dis
J'suis p't'être oldie but goodie

J'fais pas dans la nostalgie
J'suis p't'être oldie but goodie

Overall Meaning

In Eddy Mitchell's song "Oldie But Goodie," the singer reflects on his life experiences and how they have shaped him into the person he is today. Addressing his future child, he acknowledges that by the time they turn nineteen, he will have aged and will no longer be the same person he once was. He mentions the passing of time, referencing the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" and the fact that it has already come and gone. He then tells his child that when they ask about their birth and origin, he will speak to them about love, but acknowledges that time seems to be running out.

The singer then reflects on his own life, admitting that he was rebellious in his youth and did not pursue further education. Instead, he went off to explore and experience life, playing shows and attending galas and dances. He notes that he sometimes gets confused with time, but also that he has learned from his experiences and will not forget them. He ends the song by reaffirming that he is an "oldie but goodie," still capable of understanding and being understood by those he loves.

Overall, the lyrics of "Oldie But Goodie" are a reflection on the passing of time and the importance of appreciating the experiences and lessons that life brings. The singer recognizes that he is aging, but also notes that his experiences have made him who he is today.

Line by Line Meaning

Quand t'auras tes dix-neuf ans
When you turn nineteen

J'serai plus blond comme avant
I won't have blond hair like before

Fini l'Odyssée d'l'Espace
The Space Odyssey is over and done with

Deux mille un, impair et passe
2001 has come and gone

Tu viendras me demander
You'll come to me and ask

Pourquoi, comment t'es née
How and why you were born

Je te parlerai d'amour
I'll talk to you about love

Que le temps m'paraît court
How time flies by so fast

J'fais pas dans la nostalgie
I'm not trying to be nostalgic

J'veux pas r'faire le monde, la vie
I don't want to remake the world, life

J'dis tout même si tu souris
I say everything even if you smile