Salvador recorded several songs written with Boris Vian with Quincy Jones as arranger.
In the 60's Salvador was the television host of several popular TV variety shows on French TV.
Henri Salvador and his song "Dans mon île" (1957) is said to have unwittingly inspired bossa nova in Brazil, as Carlos Tom Jobim would have exclaimed on hearing the song "This is what you have to do! Slow down the tempo of samba, add a good melody and top it with beautiful chords!"
Caetano Veloso, a renowned brasilian composer and singer, made a direct reference at Salvador in his song "Reconvexo" : "quem não sentiu o swing de Heri Salvador ?" (who hasn't felt the swing of Henri Salvador ?)
In (1964) Henri Salvador scored a popular French hit with "Zorro est arrivé" (which was inspired by the English song "Along Came Jones"). His song "Mais non, mais non" (1969) inspired Jim Henson' song Mahna Mahna. These kind of comedy songs made him well known in France. He is also famous for his good nature and rich, catchy laugh, which is a standalone feature in many of his humoristic songs.
He has a brother, André, and a sister Alice. He became a musician and comedian. Later he uncovered new French talents Keren Ann and Art Mengo.
Les Papous
Henri Salvador Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deux papous gentils comme tout
Dans un coquillage d'argent
Écoutent chanter l'océan
Papous, papous, deux papous
Deux papous gentils comme tout
Ont cueillit pour s'habiller
Des guirlandes d'orchidées
Monsieur Jones n'a pas de repos
Dés le petit matin il va au boulot
Fatigué d'entendre du bruit
Ne ferme pas l'oeil de toute la nuit
Et là-bas, là-bas, tout là bas
Dans une ile grosse comme un petit pois
Papous, papous, deux papous
Deux papous gentils comme tout
Pour se donner du mouvement
Dansent, dansent dans le vent
Papous, papous, deux papous
Deux papous gentils comme tout
Ont cueillit pour déjeuner
Un panier de fruits dorés
Monsieur Jones court vite pour manger
Court pour travailler
Court vite pour aimer
Monsieur Jones regarde cent fois
Si la petite aiguille se trouve toujours là
Et là-bas, là-bas, tout là bas
Dans une ile grosse comme un petit pois
(trompette) deux...(trompette)
Deux... (trompette) gentils comme tout
Passent le temps à s'embrasser
En se frottant le bout du nez
... (trompette) deux... (trompette)
Deux... (trompette) gentils comme tout
S'endorment sur un lit de fleurs
Sans connaitre leur bonheur
The lyrics of Henri Salvador's song "Les Papous" tell a charming story about two gentle Papuans living in a silver seashell. These Papuans are portrayed as innocent and kind-hearted individuals, who spend their time listening to the ocean's song. They have adorned themselves with garlands of orchids, symbolizing their connection with nature and their desire for beauty.
In contrast, the character Monsieur Jones is described as someone who has no rest. He rushes to work early in the morning and is constantly surrounded by noise, making it difficult for him to sleep at night. The mention of an island the size of a small pea implies that Monsieur Jones is trapped in the bustling and chaotic city, longing for the peace and simplicity that the Papuans enjoy.
The second verse continues to contrast the Papuans' carefree lifestyle with Monsieur Jones' hectic existence. While Monsieur Jones is always in a hurry, the Papuans dance in the wind to bring some movement and joy into their lives. They have gathered a basket of golden fruits for breakfast, highlighting their ability to find sustenance and pleasure in nature's bounties.
The final verse emphasizes Monsieur Jones' constant rushing and obsession with time. He checks the clock repeatedly, fearful of missing anything important. In contrast, the Papuans spend their time kissing and touching noses, symbolizing their intimacy and affection. They sleep peacefully on a bed of flowers, ignorant of the happiness they bring themselves.
Overall, "Les Papous" contrasts the fast-paced and stressful modern life with the simplicity and contentment found in nature and human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Papous, papous, deux papous
Two lovely papooses
Deux papous gentils comme tout
Two kind-hearted papooses
Dans un coquillage d'argent
Inside a silver seashell
Écoutent chanter l'océan
They listen to the ocean singing
Ont cueillit pour s'habiller
They gathered orchid garlands to dress up
Des guirlandes d'orchidées
With garlands of orchids
Monsieur Jones n'a pas de repos
Mr. Jones has no rest
Dés le petit matin il va au boulot
From early morning, he goes to work
Fatigué d'entendre du bruit
Tired of hearing noise
Ne ferme pas l'oeil de toute la nuit
He doesn't sleep all night
Et là-bas, là-bas, tout là bas
And over there, far away
Dans une ile grosse comme un petit pois
On an island no bigger than a pea
Pour se donner du mouvement
To give themselves some movement
Dansent, dansent dans le vent
They dance, dance in the wind
Ont cueillit pour déjeuner
They gathered a basket of golden fruits for lunch
Un panier de fruits dorés
A basket of golden fruits
Monsieur Jones court vite pour manger
Mr. Jones quickly runs to eat
Court pour travailler
Runs to work
Court vite pour aimer
Runs quickly to love
Monsieur Jones regarde cent fois
Mr. Jones looks a hundred times
Si la petite aiguille se trouve toujours là
If the little hand is still there
Passent le temps à s'embrasser
They spend time kissing
En se frottant le bout du nez
By rubbing the tips of their noses
S'endorment sur un lit de fleurs
They fall asleep on a bed of flowers
Sans connaitre leur bonheur
Without knowing their happiness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Llenas Fran?s, Roux Noel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean-Marie GIORIA
Et merci à Henri Salvador pour ses chansons qui ont bercés notre jeunesse avec sa bonne humeur et un talent indeniable
Agnès Caron
Découverte de cette chanson bonne journée mon ami bisous ensoleillés😍👍
Jean-Claude Cosson
a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. de la pure tendresse
Jean-Marie GIORIA
Vive les papous