Between 1963 and 1964, Dutronc was the guitarist for a group called El Toro et les Cyclones who recorded several EPs. During this time he could frequently be seen on stage at the Golf Drouot as backing guitarist for stars like Eddy Mitchell. He then went and did his obligatory military service. After his return he landed a job as assistant at Vogue Records to Artistic Director Jacques Wolfsohn. In this capacity he arranged songs (there is no indication that he wrote the lyrics for any of these songs) for several lesser known artists like Zou Zou and CLeo. In 1966 (or maybe the end of 1965), he was teamed with writer Jacques Lanzmann, then director at Lui magazine, to create songs for artists who were arranged to be the next big thing. Benjamin was the first of these singers. But his first EP did horribly and he was unceremoniously booted from Vogue. One day after hearing the demos that Dutronc had made of a song, Wolfsohn declared that Jacques should do the record for release. "Et moi, et moi, et moi" was unleashed on the world in 1966 and overnight one of France's biggest stars was born.
With Lanzmann in charge of the lyrics and Dutronc taking care of the music, the two created some of the most lasting songs in French pop history. There is almost no French person alive who does not know "Et moi, et moi, et moi", "Les Playboys", and "Le cactus". Other great songs include "Mini, mini, mini", "Le responsable", "J'ai un tigre dans ma guitare", and "L'opportuniste". The music on most of these songs is a British garage sound and Dutronc has often been compared to Ray Davies of The Kinks, and that comparison works musically as well. What really set Dutronc apart from the other singers of the time was his parody. His songs are not celebrating the "youth generation" but mocking it. Dutronc's biggest hit was the beautiful "Il est cinq heures, Paris s'eveille", with the classical flute player Roger Bourdin (not as some had thought Jean-Pierre Rampal) performing an essential part. In this song, Dutronc manages to paint a remarkably correct picture of the French capital in the early morning hours in the late 1960's.
Dutronc's "La fille du père Noël" and David Bowie's "Jean Genie" share a riff likely derived from the Yardbirds' accelerated version of Bo Diddley's "I'm a Man." The Belgian singer Arno recorded a medley of the Dutronc and Bowie songs ("Jean Baltazaarr") with the American singer Beverly Jo Scott that makes clear their similarities.
In 1973, Dutronc began a second career as an actor in the film Antoine et Sébastien, directed by Jean-Marie Périer, a career that would afterward occupy the greater share of his attention. Directors for whom he has worked include Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Lelouch and Maurice Pialat. He has also returned to recording in recent years.
Also in 1973, "Et moi, et moi, et moi" was adapted with English lyrics by Ray Dorset, leader of Mungo Jerry. "Alright Alright Alright" became a UK No. 3 hit for the group.
Interestingly, the early Dutronc songs usually had a classic late-sixties freakbeat backing (provided by session musicians) that has managed to win Jacques Dutronc a new audience in the hip retro clubs of the UK and USA in the late 1990s, and this continues today. (Ironically, most of the people who will be dancing to the likes of "Le Cactus" will have no idea what the words actually mean). Because of this, he is celebrated in the 1997 Cornershop song "Brimful of Asha" thus: "Jacques Dutronc and the Bolan Boogie/The Heavy Hitters and the Chichi music."
He currently lives in the town of Monticello on the island of Corsica.
Gentleman Cambrioleur
Jacques Dutronc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oui, mais c'est un gentleman.
Il s'empar' de vos valeurs
Sans vous menacer d'une arm'.
Quand il détrouss' une femm',
Il lui fait porter des fleurs.
Gentleman cambrioleur
Est un grand seigneur.
Sans déranger votre sommeil.
Il décroche sans bruit
Le tableau acheté la veill',
Puis avant de partir,
Après ses coupables travaux,
Il laisse un mot sur le piano.
C'est le plus grand des voleurs,
Oui, mais c'est un gentleman
Et chaque femme à son heure
Rêve de voir son visag'.
De l'actrice à la danceuse
Et l'épouse la meilleur',
Gentleman cambrioleur
A gagné le cœur.
The song "Gentleman cambrioleur" by Jacques Dutronc is about a master thief who steals from people's homes without threatening them with any violence. He is known as the "gentleman burglar" because he has a charming personality and behaves like a true gentleman during his criminal activities. He even gives flowers to the women he robs.
The lyrics describe his modus operandi: he comes to people's houses at night, takes their valuable possessions without making any noise, and leaves a note on the piano after he is done. Despite being a thief, he is respected because of his finesse and elegance. Every woman dreams of seeing his face, and he has won the hearts of many, including actresses, dancers, and even the best wife.
The song is a playful tribute to the archetype of the gentleman thief, a character popularized in literature and cinema, from Arsène Lupin to Robin Hood. The lyrics glorify the figure of the thief, depicting him as a romantic hero, rather than a criminal. Jacques Dutronc's voice and the upbeat music add to the sense of lightheartedness and fun of the song, making it enjoyable to listen to even if you don't understand the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est le plus grand des voleurs,
He is the greatest thief,
Oui, mais c'est un gentleman.
Yes, but he is a gentleman.
Il s'empar' de vos valeurs
He takes your valuables
Sans vous menacer d'une arm'.
Without threatening you with a weapon.
Quand il détrouss' une femm',
When he robs a woman,
Il lui fait porter des fleurs.
He makes her carry flowers.
Gentleman cambrioleur
Gentleman thief
Est un grand seigneur.
Is a great nobleman.
Il viens chez vous la nuit
He comes to your house at night
Sans déranger votre sommeil.
Without disturbing your sleep.
Il décroche sans bruit
He silently takes down
Le tableau acheté la veill',
The painting bought the night before,
Puis avant de partir,
Then, before leaving,
Après ses coupables travaux,
After his guilty work,
Il laisse un mot sur le piano.
He leaves a note on the piano.
Et chaque femme à son heure
And every woman at her time
Rêve de voir son visag'.
Dreams of seeing his face.
De l'actrice à la danceuse
From the actress to the dancer
Et l'épouse la meilleur',
And the best wife,
Gentleman cambrioleur
Gentleman thief
A gagné le cœur.
Has won their hearts.
Contributed by Evan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.