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.
Maman
Henri Salvador Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maman, tu caressais mes cheveux fous
Maman, cette photo jaunie par l'âge
Me fait rêver
Maman, je me revois y a si longtemps
Maman, tout empêtré dans mes quinze ans
Maman, tu m'as donné tout mon courage
Lorsque je revenais d'une querelle
Avec ma figure ensanglantée
Tu prenais ta voix de tourterelle
Et mon gros chagrin s'envolait
Maman, si tu venais encore t'asseoir
Maman, à mon chevet quand vient le soir
Maman, ce serait beaucoup plus facile
D'avancer
Mais il a bien fallu que l'on se quitte
Et tu es allée te reposer
Dans le ciel doré où tu habites
Depuis que ton cœur s'est brisé
Maman, si j'avais encore tes genoux
Maman, que les coups durs deviendraient doux
Maman, pourtant j'ai dû dépasser l'âge
De pleurer
Maman, maman, maman...
The song "Maman" by Henri Salvador is a touching tribute to the singer's mother. The lyrics describe the singer's memories of his childhood, specifically the times he spent with his mother. The first verse describes a photo of the singer as a child sitting on his mother's lap while she caresses his wild hair. This image fills him with nostalgic longing and dreams of a time when he felt safe and loved. The second verse takes us back even further to the singer's teenage years when he was still grappling with his own identity and sense of pride. The singer acknowledges that his mother gave him the courage to be himself and face the challenges of life. The third verse describes how his mother would comfort him after a fight or when he was feeling low. She would use her gentle voice to soothe him and make his troubles disappear. The chorus repeats the word "maman" over and over, emphasizing the singer's deep love for his mother and the eternal bond they share.
Line by Line Meaning
Maman, j'étais assis sur tes genoux
As a child, I used to sit on your lap, Maman.
Maman, tu caressais mes cheveux fous
You used to lovingly stroke my unruly hair, Maman.
Maman, cette photo jaunie par l'âge
This old, faded photograph, Maman,
Me fait rêver
fills me with dreams and memories.
Maman, je me revois y a si longtemps
I see myself from so many years ago, Maman,
Maman, tout empêtré dans mes quinze ans
I was stuck in the turmoil of my teenage years.
Maman, tu m'as donné tout mon courage
You gave me all the strength I needed, Maman,
Et ma fierté
and helped me build my pride.
Lorsque je revenais d'une querelle
Whenever I came back from a fight,
Avec ma figure ensanglantée
my face bloody and beaten,
Tu prenais ta voix de tourterelle
you spoke to me in your soothing voice,
Et mon gros chagrin s'envolait
and my heavy heart lifted.
Maman, si tu venais encore t'asseoir
If only you could come sit by my bedside again, Maman,
Maman, à mon chevet quand vient le soir
when the evening comes.
Maman, ce serait beaucoup plus facile
It would make everything so much easier,
D'avancer
to move on.
Mais il a bien fallu que l'on se quitte
But we had to part ways eventually,
Et tu es allée te reposer
And now you rest
Dans le ciel doré où tu habites
in that golden sky where you live.
Depuis que ton cœur s'est brisé
Ever since your heart was broken.
Maman, si j'avais encore tes genoux
If only I could sit on your lap again, Maman,
Maman, que les coups durs deviendraient doux
where life's hardships would feel a lot less harsh.
Maman, pourtant j'ai dû dépasser l'âge
But I've grown past that age, Maman,
De pleurer
when it comes to crying.
Maman, maman, maman...
Maman, I miss you always.
Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@blandinehelbert223
Très chanson on n'a qu'une seule maman elle est au ciel avec mon papa je la voi toujours encore plus belle le jour de la fête des mères, j'avais 10 ans. ❤maintenant j'ai 76 ans blandine helbert
@georgesfarnet2297
Quel belle odeur aux mamans la mienne est au paradis avec mon père depuis plus de 30 ans mais la douleur reste intacte
@lucetteforestier1115
Avec mon amour éternel ma Ptite maman. Repose en paix ❣😇🙏
@maxlune391
POUR MA MANMAN CHERIE AU PARADIS merci henri
@70cazuro
Pour ma ma maman chérie... Qui me manque tant...Mes jours sont gris et les nuits blanches de la peine que je ressent lorsque je pense à tout ces moments heureux....Le destin t'z enlever à mes brzs
@HM-pc9vx
❤️🙏🏻
@sadiabini6976
Pour toi ma maman d'amour je t'aime fort 💕
@joseseabra9307
OUI MA MAMAN ÉTAIT LA PLUS BELLE DU MONDE ET ELLE ME MANQUE BEAUCOUP QUE J'ÉTAIS PETIT SAIT TE ELLE QUI ME CHANTE DE CHANSON DOUCE _LA ET LA VÉRITÉ 🤲🇩🇿❤
@catherinedequivre1826
Repose en paix maman turn est part I trop tot 46 ans tu reste dans mon coeur a jamais ma petite maman chérie
@louismarie92
A cher Henri, tu nous ravis lorsque tu chantes ainsi ! Un hymne aux mamans plein de tendresse...