Jean-Jacques Goldman is a French singer-songwriter who started his career singing as a back up singer before starting in a rock band Taï Phong before starting his solo career. A number of years later he founded the trio Fredericks - Goldman - Jones, with the British Michael Jones and American Carole Fredericks.
Extremely popular in French-speaking countries, he is a well-known songwriter, composing a number of albums for Céline Dion. He has also collaborated with Johnny Hallyday, Patricia Kaas, Garou, Marc Lavoine, Khaled (Aïcha), Lorie and Florent Pagny
He is also well known in France for getting involved in the homeless charity "Les Restos du Coeur" for which he wrote the main anthem.
Qu'elle soit elle
Jean-Jacques Goldman Lyrics
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C'est une qualité que j'ai
Sans fausse modestie aucune
Une que je voudrais qu'elle ait
Qu'elle me ressemble en solitude
Qu'elle apprenne peu à peu
Les autres seront son étude
On voudrait bien qu'ils soient à notre image
On voudrait bien qu'ils soient un autre soi
Que ca continue meme après la page
Mais qu'elle soit elle
Le mieux qu'elle pourra
These poignant lyrics describe a father's deep and heartfelt wishes for his daughter's personal growth and development. The father expresses his desire for his daughter to possess certain qualities that he considers crucial for a fulfilling life. He admires her ability to grapple with her worries and hopes that she continues to do so. He also reflects on his own traits, wishing that his daughter will inherit his ability to be at peace in solitude.
The father recognizes the importance of people in his daughter's life but also understands that being alone sometimes can help her understand herself better. Ultimately, he acknowledges that while parents may wish for their children to be just like them or to continue their legacies, it is vital to let them discover their own unique identities.
The song is a touching reminder of the love and support that parents wish to extend to their children, even as they seek to let them forge their own paths.
Line by Line Meaning
Qu'elle aime aussi ses inquiétudes
I hope that she loves her worries and doubts, as I see it as a valuable quality
C'est une qualité que j'ai
This is a trait I possess that I see as a strength
Sans fausse modestie aucune
I say this with genuine humility
Une que je voudrais qu'elle ait
I would like her to have the same quality that I see in myself
Qu'elle me ressemble en solitude
I hope that, like me, she can find solace in being alone
Qu'elle apprenne peu à peu
Slowly but surely, she will learn
Les autres seront son étude
She will study and learn from others
Qu'elle soit seule pour qu'elle aime mieux
Being alone will help her to better appreciate herself
On voudrait bien qu'ils soient à notre image
We often wish that those we love were just like us
On voudrait bien qu'ils soient un autre soi
We wish that they could be a mirror image of ourselves
Que ca continue meme après la page
And we hope that this will carry on even after we are gone
Mais qu'elle soit elle
But what is most important is that she remains herself
Le mieux qu'elle pourra
The best version of herself that she can be
Contributed by Elijah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.