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.
Un Certain Sourire
Henri Salvador Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Je me souviens d'avoir émis un certain sourire
Qu'est-il resté des jours merveilleux du printemps
De l'amour des coeœurs adolescents
Les yeux mi-clos, je la revois
J'étais jaloux du doux secret d'un certain sourire
Ou à mourir, oui meme à mourir pour un certain sourire
Je l'aimais tant que j'étais pret pour elle à vivre
Ou à mourir, oui meme à mourir pour un certain sourire
The song "Un Certain Sourire" by Henri Salvador is a nostalgic reflection on past love and the emotion it can still evoke. The first verse describes how the singer recalls emitting “a certain smile” upon hearing the song played on the radio, immediately transporting him back to a time of “wonderful days in spring” and being in love as teenagers. The second verse delves more into the specifics of the singer's relationship, as he remembers being jealous of the "sweet secret" of his lover's "certain smile." Despite this jealousy, the singer loved her so much, he was willing to live for her or even die for her.
The lyrics are simple yet poignant, expressing a universal longing for lost love and the memories that can still be triggered by certain songs or smells. The repetition of the phrase "un certain sourire" adds to the wistful tone and emphasizes the specific memory that haunts the singer.
Overall, "Un Certain Sourire" is a classic French chanson that showcases Henri Salvador's smooth vocals and knack for capturing complex emotions in a simple, memorable melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Quand la radio joue cet air-là
When the radio plays that tune,
Je me souviens d'avoir émis un certain sourire
I remember having a certain smile on my face
Qu'est-il resté des jours merveilleux du printemps
What is left of the wonderful spring days
De l'amour des coeœurs adolescents
Of the love of adolescent hearts
Les yeux mi-clos, je la revois
With my eyes half-closed, I see her again
J'étais jaloux du doux secret d'un certain sourire
I was jealous of the sweet secret of a certain smile
Je l'aimais tant que j'étais pret pour elle à vivre
I loved her so much that I was ready to live for her
Ou à mourir, oui meme à mourir pour un certain sourire
Or to die, yes even to die for a certain smile
Je l'aimais tant que j'étais pret pour elle à vivre
I loved her so much that I was ready to live for her
Ou à mourir, oui meme à mourir pour un certain sourire
Or to die, yes even to die for a certain smile
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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