On est tous des putes
Henri Tachan Lyrics
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Qui prennent plaisir à accabler
De pauv'res péripatéticiennes
Entre deux grains de chapelet.
A ces fanatiques de Jésus,
A ces empêchées de l'étreinte,
J'ainsi-soit-il ma pogne au cul
On est tous des putes,
On est tous maqués,
Et si tu veux pas être pute,
Tu seras saqué.
Le cœur au chaud dans ses pantoufles,
Monsieur Dupont, Français moyen,
Devant sa télé rote et bouffe,
Dans sa deux-ch'vaux refait Verdun.
A ce minable à ce convaincu,
A ce partisan de la crainte,
J'eurovisionne ma botte au cul
Et ce refrain de ma complainte:
On est tous des putes,
On est tous maqués,
Et si tu veux pas être pute,
Tu seras saqué.
Je n'savais qu'pour faire des chansons
Et les chanter tout simplement,
Fallait intéresser les patrons
A l'entreprise évidemment.
Cheval, putain ou bien artiste,
Sous éditeur ou sous maqu'reau,
Faut galoper sur toutes les pistes
Pour le picotin du barbeau:
Henri Tachan's song "On est tous des putes" talks about how everyone is a prostitute in one way or another, whether it's through selling their body, compromising their beliefs for money or status, or being controlled by external forces. The song describes how certain individuals, such as religious fanatics and middle-class conservatives, look down upon those who work in the sex industry, even though they themselves are guilty of selling out in their own way.
The first verse of the song describes how some church-going women take pleasure in shaming sex workers while praying, and how the singer responds by giving them the finger and singing the chorus of the song, which translates to "We're all whores, we're all pimped out, and if you don't want to be a whore, you'll be kicked out." The second verse talks about the average Frenchman who sits at home watching TV and eating junk food, and judges others for not conforming to his idea of a respectable life. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing how everyone is involved in some form of prostitution.
The final verse reveals the irony of the situation, as the singer himself has to hustle and compromise in order to make a living as a musician. He compares himself to a horse, a prostitute, and a con artist, all working under the control of a publisher or manager who demands they "gallop on all tracks" to make money. The song's message is clear: we're all selling ourselves out, in one way or another, and it's hypocritical to judge others for doing the same.
Line by Line Meaning
Y a des bonnes dames paroissiennes
Qui prennent plaisir à accabler
De pauv'res péripatéticiennes
Entre deux grains de chapelet.
There are devout women in the church who enjoy condemning poor prostitutes in between their prayers.
A ces fanatiques de Jésus,
A ces empêchées de l'étreinte,
J'ainsi-soit-il ma pogne au cul
Et ce refrain de ma complainte:
To these Jesus fanatics who fear intimacy, I give them the sign of the cross on my backside, and sing my chorus of complaint:
On est tous des putes,
On est tous maqués,
Et si tu veux pas être pute,
Tu seras saqué.
We are all prostitutes, we all sell ourselves, and if you don't want to be a prostitute, you'll be kicked out.
Le cœur au chaud dans ses pantoufles,
Monsieur Dupont, Français moyen,
Devant sa télé rote et bouffe,
Dans sa deux-ch'vaux refait Verdun.
With his heart warm in his slippers, Mr. Dupont, the average Frenchman, sits in front of his TV, burps and eats in his car, which was rebuilt after being damaged in the war.
A ce minable à ce convaincu,
A ce partisan de la crainte,
J'eurovisionne ma botte au cul
Et ce refrain de ma complainte:
To this pathetic, convinced person who fears everything, I kick him in the rear, and sing my chorus of complaint:
Je n'savais qu'pour faire des chansons
Et les chanter tout simplement,
Fallait intéresser les patrons
A l'entreprise évidemment.
I didn't know that to make songs and sing them simply, I had to interest the bosses in the business.
Cheval, putain ou bien artiste,
Sous éditeur ou sous maqu'reau,
Faut galoper sur toutes les pistes
Pour le picotin du barbeau:
Whether horse, prostitute or artist, under publisher or pimp, you have to run on all tracks for the fish of the barbeau.
Contributed by Chase C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.