Dassin was born in New York City to Jules Dassin (Yiddish actor and film noir director) and Béatrice Launer. He began his childhood first in New York and Los Angeles, California. However after his father became a victim of the anti-communist policies of Senator Joseph McCarthy, he and his family moved from place to place across Europe.
After studying at Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, Dassin moved back to the United States to go to college at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan after doing very well on his bachelor's exam. After college, he moved back again to France where, while working at a radio station, a record label convinced him to begin to record his songs.
By the early 1970s, Dassin's songs topped the charts in France and he became well known. Probably as a recognition of his parents' left leanings, Dassin's records were officially released in the USSR. However, the political views of his parents were not well known to the general public in the USSR, and Dassin's popularity in the USSR should be connected to his talent only. He was also a talented polyglot, recording songs in German, Spanish, Italian and Greek, as well as French and English.
He died of a heart attack during a vacation to Tahiti on August 20, 1980. He is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California.
Songs:Les Champs-Élysées ,L'été indien ,Ça va pas changer le Monde ,Et si tu n'existais pas, Salut ....
Happy Birthday
Joe Dassin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
C'est pas parce qu'on est seul qu'on n'a pas le droit de danser
De boire du champagne à sa propre santé
De tout illuminer et de se répéter, "La vie, la vie est belle!"
Happy birthday,
Il est beau mon gâteau, cette année un peu plus petit
Et y a plus de bougies et je vais dîner aux chandelles
L'an dernier nous étions toi et moi
Cette année tu manques à mon gala
Et je danse sans partenaire
Un ballet qui n'en finit pas
Happy birthday,
C'est pas parce qu'on est seul, qu'on n'a pas le droit de parler
Du beau temps, de la neige et des anniversaires
Qui se sont éloignés, des prochains dont tu n'auras rien, rien à faire
Happy birthday,
Je me suis fait cadeau du blouson que tu n'aimais pas
Et d'un bel agenda pour tous mes rendez-vous d'amour
Avec toi, pourquoi pas, si tu reviens chez nous un jour
L'an dernier nous étions toi et moi
Cette année tu manques à mon gala
Et je danse sans partenaire
Un ballet qui n'en finit pas
The song "Happy Birthday" by Joe Dassin is an upbeat tune that seems to be a celebration of a birthday. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the song is about the conflicting feelings that can arise during a birthday when spent alone. The first verse encourages the listener to dance and celebrate, even if they are alone, suggesting that being alone on a birthday does not have to be lonely. The second verse describes the singer's own celebration, which is intentionally smaller and more intimate due to the absence of a loved one.
The chorus repeats the idea that being alone on a birthday does not mean that one cannot celebrate or speak of happy memories. The third verse is the most poignant, as the singer acknowledges the absence of a loved one at the celebration. The final verse ends on a hopeful note, as the singer reveals that they have bought themselves gifts in anticipation of future love, and that they are open to the possibility of reconciliation with the one who is absent.
Overall, the song is a bittersweet tribute to the difficult emotions that can come with a birthday, especially when spent alone. It celebrates the joy of life while also acknowledging the pain of loss, and ultimately suggests that there is always hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy birthday,
Today is your special day, so I wish you a happy birthday.
C'est pas parce qu'on est seul qu'on n'a pas le droit de danser
Just because you are alone doesn't mean you can't dance and enjoy yourself.
De boire du champagne à sa propre santé
You can still drink champagne to toast to your own health and happiness.
De tout illuminer et de se répéter, 'La vie, la vie est belle!'
Light up everything and repeat to yourself that life is beautiful, despite being alone on your birthday.
Il est beau mon gâteau, cette année un peu plus petit
My cake looks beautiful, even though it's smaller this year.
Et y a plus de bougies et je vais dîner aux chandelles
There are more candles on my cake, and I am going to have a candlelit dinner.
En bonne compagnie, la speakerine ce soir est belle
I am in good company, and the TV host tonight looks beautiful.
L'an dernier nous étions toi et moi
Last year, we celebrated your birthday together.
Cette année tu manques à mon gala
This year, I miss you at my celebration.
Et je danse sans partenaire
I am dancing alone without a partner.
Un ballet qui n'en finit pas
My dance goes on and on without an end in sight.
C'est pas parce qu'on est seul, qu'on n'a pas le droit de parler
Just because you are alone doesn't mean you can't talk about things.
Du beau temps, de la neige et des anniversaires
You can talk about the nice weather, snow, and birthdays that have passed.
Qui se sont éloignés, des prochains dont tu n'auras rien, rien à faire
Those birthdays have come and gone, and the upcoming ones won't concern you.
Je me suis fait cadeau du blouson que tu n'aimais pas
I treated myself to a jacket that you didn't like.
Et d'un bel agenda pour tous mes rendez-vous d'amour
I got myself a beautiful planner for all of my romantic rendezvous.
Avec toi, pourquoi pas, si tu reviens chez nous un jour
If you come back to us one day, maybe we can celebrate together again.
L'an dernier nous étions toi et moi
Last year, we celebrated your birthday together.
Cette année tu manques à mon gala
This year, I miss you at my celebration.
Et je danse sans partenaire
I am dancing alone without a partner.
Un ballet qui n'en finit pas
My dance goes on and on without an end in sight.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GIANLUIGI GUARNIERI, JOE DASSIN, MICHELLE VASSEUR, VITO PALLAVICINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paule Boulogne
J'écoute cette magnifique chanson avec émotion, en pensant que Joe n'a pas été très heureux après la naissance de ses fils pour d'ultimes raison. Il était tellement fier d'être papa. Ses fils sont vraiment beaux.
Adrian Draghici
Un exceptional artist! Pacat, mare pacat c-a plecat dintre noi atat de repede... dar va continua sa ne bucure cu glasul lui exceptional si cu melodiile lui magnifice.... R.I P. Joe!
Sorana Sima
Frumoasa prezentare ,o voce inegalabila !
PS109VanBurenHigh
*** What a magnificent tribute ! *** Thank you !
Michela Blanco
JOE DASSIN GRAND'HOMME INDIMENTICABILE😢♥️
Flory Zamfir
Mulțumesc mult pentru prezentarea acestor frumoase și inegalabile cântece. Vei fi mereu în amintirea mea , JoeDassin.
Georgeta Grigore
Imi pare bine ca mai scrie cineva din Romania despre Joe Dassin !
Alain Paul Gaillot compositeur néo classique
Somptueuse orchestration,j adore!
Константин Иванов
Sublime!!!
Pascal Couckhuyt
Merci pour ce magnifique intégral ! 1979, cela ne nous rajeunit pas ;)