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.
Quel Exil
Jean-Jacques Goldman Lyrics
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T'es géant, t'es zéro, mais décline une identité
Et pourtant, pourtant, souvent je me demande
Qui sont les miens, d'où suis-je et quelle est ma bande?
De quelle tribu, de quelle famille
Quel est mon arbre ou ma ville
Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
D'un parti blanc ou noir, t'as une chaise dans ton village
Et pourquoi, pourquoi, je me demande encore
Quel est donc mon bateau et quel est mon port?
Juste appartenir à un Sud ou un Nord
Mes racines se défilent
Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
J'ai posé des questions aux professeurs en blouse blanche
J'ai gagné des calmants à la place de réponses
Et pourtant, pourtant, dans un coin de ce monde
Un morceau de terre, un ciel et des secondes
Une histoire, un sang, du temps qui défile
Si paisible et si tranquille
Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
Et pourtant, pourtant, dans un coin de ce monde
Un morceau de terre, un ciel et des secondes
Une histoire, un sang, du temps qui défile
Si paisible et si tranquille
Et dans quelle île ou quel exil?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
The lyrics of Jean-Jacques Goldman's song "Quel Exil" explore the themes of identity, belonging, and displacement. The song questions one's sense of self and connection to a particular place or group. Goldman reflects on the complexities of personal identity, wondering about his roots, his family, and his hometown. The repeated refrain of "Dans quelle île ou quel exil?" ("In which island or which exile?") emphasizes the feeling of being adrift and searching for a sense of belonging.
The lyrics also highlight the contrast between those who have a clear sense of identity and place, symbolized by phrases like "T'es géant, t'es zéro, mais décline une identité" ("You're a someone, you're a nobody, but define an identity"), and the singer's own uncertainty and longing. The song suggests that while others may belong to a specific community or have defined roots, the singer seems to be in a constant state of questioning and wandering.
Goldman's use of imagery further enhances the theme of identity and displacement. He refers to names, numbers, photos, and distinguishing features as elements that define a person's identity, but he yearns for a deeper understanding of his own origins. The lyrics also suggest a sense of frustration and confusion, as the singer mentions seeking answers from professors but receiving medication instead of clarity.
Overall, "Quel Exil" is a contemplative song that explores the complexities of personal identity, the longing for a sense of belonging, and the search for one's place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Nom, prénom, numéro, photo, signe particulier
Full name, first name, phone number, photo, distinctive sign
T'es géant, t'es zéro, mais décline une identité
You're great, you're nothing, but describe an identity
Et pourtant, pourtant, souvent je me demande
And yet, yet, I often wonder
Qui sont les miens, d'où suis-je et quelle est ma bande?
Who are my people, where am I from, and what is my group?
De quelle tribu, de quelle famille
From which tribe, from which family
Quel est mon arbre ou ma ville
What is my tree or my city
Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
In which island or which exile?
Toi, t'es d'un coin, d'un bar, d'un quartier, même d'un étage
You're from a corner, from a bar, from a neighborhood, even from a floor
D'un parti blanc ou noir, t'as une chaise dans ton village
From a white or black party, you have a chair in your village
Et pourquoi, pourquoi, je me demande encore
And why, why, I still wonder
Quel est donc mon bateau et quel est mon port?
So, what is my boat and what is my harbor?
Juste appartenir à un Sud ou un Nord
Just belonging to a South or a North
Mes racines se défilent
My roots slip away
Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
In which island or which exile?
J'ai posé des questions aux professeurs en blouse blanche
I asked questions to professors in white coats
J'ai gagné des calmants à la place de réponses
I won sedatives instead of answers
Et pourtant, pourtant, dans un coin de ce monde
And yet, yet, in a corner of this world
Un morceau de terre, un ciel et des secondes
A piece of land, a sky, and seconds
Une histoire, un sang, du temps qui défile
A story, a blood, time passing by
Si paisible et si tranquille
So peaceful and so calm
Dans quelle île ou quel exil?
In which island or which exile?
Et pourtant, pourtant, dans un coin de ce monde
And yet, yet, in a corner of this world
Un morceau de terre, un ciel et des secondes
A piece of land, a sky, and seconds
Une histoire, un sang, du temps qui défile
A story, a blood, time passing by
Si paisible et si tranquille
So peaceful and so calm
Et dans quelle île ou quel exil?
And in which island or which exile?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Just, just belong, to which island or which exile?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Just, just belong, to which island or which exile?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Just, just belong, to which island or which exile?
Juste, juste appartenir, à quelle île ou quel exil?
Just, just belong, to which island or which exile?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING MGB FRANCE
Written by: Jean-Jacques Goldman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind