Moustaki was born Yussef Mustacchi on the 3rd May 1934 in Alexandria, Egypt, of Sephardic Jewish parents who had moved there from Corfu, and who ran a bookshop in the city. The family spoke Italian at home, but Georges (then Yussef) spoke Arabic with his friends and attended a French school to which his Francophile parents sent him and his sisters. In 1951 he moved to Paris, where he was inspired by the young Georges Brassens, in honour of whom he changed his name to Georges Moustaki.
Moustaki wrote and sang in French, Italian, Greek, Spanish, English, Yiddish, and Arabic. Early influences included Edith Piaf, with whom Moustaki carried on a year-long romance. His pan-national approach to music made him a star in Europe in the late sixties and early seventies.
He died on the 23rd May 2013 in Nice, France.
Si cet amour
Georges Moustaki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
D'une femme inconnu
Et que j'aime et qui m'aime
Et qui n'est chaque fois
Ni tout à fait la même
Ni tout à fait une autre
Et même elle me comprend
Il aurait pu devenir grand
Devenir un grand amour
Si cet amour avait pu vivre plus longtemps
Il aurait pu devenir grand
Devenir un grand amour
The lyrics of Georges Moustaki's song "Si cet amour" depict a recurring dream, a surreal and intense experience. The singer describes this dream of an unknown woman whom he loves, and who loves him back. This woman is not exactly the same each time, nor is she completely different. She possesses a deep understanding and connection with the singer.
The lyrics convey a sense of longing and regret, as the singer reflects on the potential of this love if it had lasted longer. He muses that if this love had been able to endure, it could have grown into something great, a profound and intense love. However, circumstances prevented it from reaching its full potential.
The song explores the theme of missed opportunities and the fleeting nature of love. It highlights the power and impact that even brief encounters or dreams can have on us. The complexity of human relationships and the desire for a love that transcends time are also depicted.
Overall, "Si cet amour" expresses the bittersweet emotions and reflections that arise when considering what could have been, emphasizing the fragile and ephemeral nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Je fais souvent ce rêve étrange et pénétrant
I frequently have this strange and profound dream
D'une femme inconnue
Of an unknown woman
Et que j'aime et qui m'aime
And I love her and she loves me
Et qui n'est chaque fois
And who is not each time
Ni tout à fait la même
Exactly the same
Ni tout à fait une autre
Nor entirely different
Et même elle me comprend
And even she understands me
Si cet amour avait pu vivre plus longtemps
If this love could have lasted longer
Il aurait pu devenir grand
Then it could have become great
Devenir un grand amour
Becoming a grand love
Si cet amour avait pu vivre plus longtemps
If this love could have lasted longer
Il aurait pu devenir grand
Then it could have become great
Devenir un grand amour
Becoming a grand love
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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