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.
Syracuse
Henri Salvador Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
L'île de Pâques et Kairouan
Et les grands oiseaux qui s'amusent
A glisser l'aile sous le vent
Voir les jardins de Babylone
Et le palais du Grand Lama
Rêver des amants de Vérone
Voir le pays du matin calme
Aller pêcher le cormoran
Et m'enivrer de vin de palme
En écoutant chanter le vent
Avant que ma jeunesse s'use
Et que mes printemps soient partis
J'aimerais tant voir Syracuse
Pour m'en souvenir à Paris
Henri Salvador's song "Syracuse" is a whimsical and romantic dream of travel and adventure. The singer longs to see many different places, from the islands of Easter and Syracuse to the gardens of Babylon and the palace of the Grand Lama. The singer also wishes to witness the majestic flight of large birds as they play and glide in the wind. The imagery of these breathtaking landscapes and experiences is vivid and cinematic, making the song an escapist's paradise. The singer expresses a desire to see the world, to experience all its different cultures and sights before it is too late. The final line of the song, "Pour m'en souvenir à Paris" (To remember it in Paris) suggests that the singer acknowledges that this dream may remain just that, a dream. It is a wistful longing, one that is not necessarily achievable, but it is the act of dreaming itself that is important.
The lyrics of "Syracuse" are full of references to places and cultures from around the world. The song draws from a variety of traditions and histories, invoking both ancient wonders like the gardens of Babylon and contemporary practices, such as the art of cormorant fishing. The title of the song itself refers to the Sicilian city of Syracuse, which was a major center of trade and culture in ancient times.
Line by Line Meaning
J'aimerais tant voir Syracuse
I long to see Syracuse
L'île de Pâques et Kairouan
Easter Island and Kairouan Island
Et les grands oiseaux qui s'amusent
And the big birds playing
A glisser l'aile sous le vent
Sliding wing under the wind
Voir les jardins de Babylone
See the gardens of Babylon
Et le palais du Grand Lama
And the palace of the Grand Lama
Rêver des amants de Vérone
Dream of the lovers of Verona
Au sommet du Fouzi Yama
On the top of Mount Fujiyama
Voir le pays du matin calme
See the land of the morning calm
Aller pêcher le cormoran
Go fishing for cormorant
Et m'enivrer de vin de palme
And get drunk on palm wine
En écoutant chanter le vent
While listening to the singing of the wind
Avant que ma jeunesse s'use
Before my youth fades
Et que mes printemps soient partis
And my springs have gone
J'aimerais tant voir Syracuse
I long to see Syracuse
Pour m'en souvenir à Paris
To remember it in Paris
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, PREMIERE MUSIC GROUP
Written by: BERNARD DIMEY, HENRI SALVADOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frédérique F.-LANSET
J'aimerais tant voir Syracuse
L'île de Pâques et Kérouan
Et les grands oiseaux qui s'amusent
A glisser l'aile sous le vent
Voir les jardins de Babylone
Et le palais du Grand Lama
Rêver des amants de Vérone
Au sommet du Fujiyama
Voir le pays du matin calme
Aller pêcher aux cormorans
Et m'enivrer de vin de palme
En écoutant chanter le vent
Avant que ma jeunesse s'use
Et que mes printemps soient partis
J'aimerais tant voir Syracuse
Pour m'en souvenir à Paris
alexcyber23
Je suis aujourd'hui à Syracuse sur le rebord de ma fenêtre vue sur la mer à écouter cette chanson magnifique. Le pied !!!
sam baar
Mdr tu crois t'es le personnage principal
Juanita Buchon
Quel magnifique voix
Serge BRAVARD
Superbe chanson, magnifiée par l'interprétation d'Henri Salvador, mais dont, malheureusement comme souvent dans ce cas de figure, beaucoup de commentaires ici ne font même pas allusion à Bernard Dimey, grand poète de la butte Montmartre, qui en est l'auteur.
Phil Pasilinna
beaucoup l'ignorent … merci de le rappeler !
Serge BRAVARD
@Phil Pasilinna Merci.
Jac Celere
Merci Serge pour cette précision
Bonne année à vous tous En ce jour du 3janvier 2023
Luisa Baillod
Ah bon?
Heureux de l'apprendre, je connais Dimey surtout grâce à mes parents qui en recitaient les textes coquins
Bruno Charles
Très bien 👍
Encore faut-il connaître ce monsieur.......
Gerard Buil
Charles Trénet, Aznavour, Polnareff quelques artistes français qui propulsent la chanson comme un noble art