Georges Brassens was a French singer and songwriter known for accompanying … Read Full Bio ↴Georges Brassens was a French singer and songwriter known for accompanying himself with his acoustic guitar. He wrote some extremely controversial, yet poetic songs. In doing so, he managed to change attitudes across France.

He was uncompromising when composing his songs. His tactical method of addressing issues was profound and often humorous, making him a unique and effective figure in the French community.

Brassens, born in 1921 in the small Mediterrenean port of Sete, wanted to be a poet. He realized very early however that poetry in the 20th century could hardly put bread on the table and instead set himself to become a singer.

He is much less famous internationally than contemporaries like Charles Aznavour, Edith Piaf and Yves Montand, as much of the impact of his songs came from the lyrics, which proved difficult to translate into other languages. He loved the Middle Ages and used a great deal of Old French vocabulary, as well as many classical - ie., Latin and Greek - references. Few people, even in France, possess the background to fully understand his songs.

Yet he was at the same time a hugely popular singer and many of his songs still carry a lot of appeal and relevance. In this sense, he can be compared to Boris Vian, to Jacques Brel, and to a lesser extent to Serge Gainsbourg.

He was very sophisticated, yet at the same time used profanity liberally. While he wasn't politically engaged, he was nevertheless unambiguously a leftist, many of his songs carrying blatant and buoyant anarchist overtones.

While his music was initially quite primitive, the 1950's St-Germain-des-Pres influence quickly made itself felt and while subdued and - in his mind - always secondary to the lyrics, it became increasingly sophisticated - to the point that many of his songs have been covered and reinterpretated by jazzmen (see for instance this UK site: www.projetbrassens.eclipse.co.uk)

He died in 1981, but up to this date (2006) there are few French people - including most of those born since - who can't sing along to his most famous song, Les Copains d'abord ("Friends foremost") or his "Bancs public" ("Public Benches").

For those interested, this site carries a number of (quite good) English tranlations of his songs: www.brassens.org

Les Casseuses
Georges Brassens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tant qu'elle a besoin du matou
Ma chatte est tendre comme tout
Quand elle est comblée, aussitôt
Ell' griffe, ell' mord, ell' fait l'gros dos

Quand vous ne nous les caressez
Pas, chéries, vous nous les cassez
Oubliez-les, si fair' se peut

Qu'ell's se reposent
Quand vous nous les dorlotez pas
Vous nous les passez à tabac
Oubliez-les, si fair' se peut
Qu'ell's se reposent un peu
Qu'ell's se reposent

Enamourée, ma femme est douce
Mes amis vous le diront tous
Après l'étreinte, en moins de deux
Ell' r'devient un bâton merdeux

Dans l'alcôve, on est bien reçus
Par la voisine du dessus
Un' fois son désir assouvi
Ingrate, ell' nous les crucifie

Quand ell' passe en revue les zouaves
Ma sœur est câline et suave
Dès que s'achève l'examen
Gare à qui tombe sous sa main

Si tout le monde en ma maison
Reste au lit plus que de raison

C'est pas qu'on soit lubriqu's, c'est qu'il
Y a guère que là qu'on est tranquilles

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from French singer Georges Brassens's song Les Casseuses (The Breakers). The song is about the tumultuous relationships that men have with their female partners, as well as their pets and the neighbor upstairs. The first verse talks about how a man's cat is gentle and cuddly as long as she has her needs fulfilled. But as soon as she's satisfied, she becomes aggressive and defensive. Brassens uses this analogy to compare the behavior of women to that of a cat. When women are satisfied, they become moody and unpredictable, which creates chaos in relationships. The chorus advises men to leave their women alone, so they can rest and recover from their hormonal swings.

The second verse introduces the man's wife, who is sweet and affectionate when she's in love. However, after the act of physical intimacy, she turns into a "shitty stick" (bâton merdeux), a French expression that means cranky and unpleasant. Brassens suggests that women have different moods depending on their sexual satisfaction, and men should be aware of that to avoid conflicts. The next verse talks about the neighbor upstairs, who is willing to have sex with the man and his wife, but only for her own pleasure. After the act, she kicks them out and shows no gratitude. Brassens uses this character to illustrate the fickleness of women, who can be seductive and cruel at the same time.

The last verse refers to the man's family, who stays in bed longer than usual. Brassens claims that it's not because they are lustful, but because it's the only place where they can find peace and quiet. The lyrics are tongue-in-cheek and provocative, as Brassens pokes fun at the stereotypes of male and female behavior. He suggests that men are simple creatures who only want sex and peace, while women are complex creatures who need constant attention and validation. However, the song also exposes the double standards and inequalities that exist in relationships, as women are often expected to satisfy their partner's needs without getting anything in return.

Line by Line Meaning

Tant qu'elle a besoin du matou Ma chatte est tendre comme tout Quand elle est comblée, aussitôt Ell' griffe, ell' mord, ell' fait l'gros dos
As long as my cat needs her mate, she is affectionate and gentle. But as soon as her needs are fulfilled, she becomes hostile and aggressive.

Quand vous ne nous les caressez Pas, chéries, vous nous les cassez Oubliez-les, si fair' se peut Qu'ell's se reposent Quand vous nous les dorlotez pas Vous nous les passez à tabac Oubliez-les, si fair' se peut Qu'ell's se reposent un peu Qu'ell's se reposent
When you neglect to caress us, darlings, you hurt us. If possible, forget about them (breasts) and let them rest. If you don't pamper them, you beat them up. If possible, let them rest a bit.

Enamourée, ma femme est douce Mes amis vous le diront tous Après l'étreinte, en moins de deux Ell' r'devient un bâton merdeux
My wife is gentle when she is in love, as my friends will attest. But after sex, she becomes cold and distant in a heartbeat.

Dans l'alcôve, on est bien reçus Par la voisine du dessus Un' fois son désir assouvi Ingrate, ell' nous les crucifie
We are well received in the bedroom by our upstairs neighbor. But once her desire is satisfied, she becomes ungrateful and cruel towards us.

Quand ell' passe en revue les zouaves Ma sœur est câline et suave Dès que s'achève l'examen Gare à qui tombe sous sa main
When she inspects her troops, my sister is sweet and affectionate. But once the inspection is over, watch out for whoever is in her reach.

Si tout le monde en ma maison Reste au lit plus que de raison C'est pas qu'on soit lubriqu's, c'est qu'il Y a guère que là qu'on est tranquilles
If everybody in my house spends more time in bed than usual, it is not because we are overly sexual. It's just that it's the only place we can find peace and quiet.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORGES CHARLES BRASSENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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