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 ....
Taka Takata
Joe Dassin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata, j'entends mon cœur qui bat
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata, au rythme de ses pas
La sangria coulait à la feria de Tolède
Quand un banderillo m'a dit "l'ami, reste calme
Prends garde au torero si tu regardes sa femme"
Mais elle s'avance vers moi et laisse tomber sa rose
Avec un billet qui propose un rendez-vous à l'hacienda
On s'était enlacés sous l'oranger mais la dueña
Dont c'était le métier criait "vengeance, aux arènes!"
Le matador trompé surgit de l'ombre et s'avance
Moi, sur mon oranger j'essaie de faire l'orange
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata, j'entends mon cœur qui bat
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata, au rythme de ses pas
"L'homme, tu vas payer" dit-il, "voici l'estocade
Mes picadors sont prêts et mon œil noir te regarde"
Et c'est depuis ce jour qu'un toréro me condamne
À balayer sa cour pour l'avoir faite à sa femme
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata, j'entends mon cœur qui bat
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata, au rythme de ses pas
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata
Taka takata kata kata kata, j'entends mon cœur qui bat
The lyrics of Joe Dassin's song Taka Takata are about a man who falls in love with a woman while attending the Feria de Tolède. He drinks Sangria and dances with her until her jealous husband, a bullfighter, finds out about their affair. The man tries to defend himself, but the bullfighter is determined to get his revenge on him by making him sweep his courtyard as punishment. Despite the humorous tone of the lyrics, there is a darker undertone about the consequences of one's actions when caught in a love triangle.
The song is a mix of French and Spanish, blending the sounds of the two languages to create a catchy and energetic tune. The use of repetition in the chorus creates a memorable hook, making it easy for listeners to sing along. The lyrics are full of cultural references, such as the Feria de Tolède, the Sangria, and the bullfighting culture of Spain, giving the song a unique flavor and a sense of place.
Interestingly, Taka Takata was originally a Spanish song titled "La Bamba" by Carmen und Diego, before being covered by French singer Claude Lemesle and then adapted by Joe Dassin. The song has since been covered by numerous artists in various languages, including Italian, Portuguese, and German. Taka Takata has become a cult classic, popular at parties and weddings even today, and continues to maintain its position as a beloved international hit.
Line by Line Meaning
Taka takata kata kata kata
Repetition of a catchy phrase in the chorus
Taka takata kata kata kata, j'entends mon cœur qui bat
I hear my heart beating to the rhythm of the music
La sangria coulait à la feria de Tolède
Sangria was flowing at the Tolède fair
La fille qui dansait m'était montée à la tête
The girl who was dancing had caught my attention
Quand un banderillo m'a dit "l'ami, reste calme
When a banderillo told me to stay calm
Prends garde au torero si tu regardes sa femme"
Beware of the torero if you look at his wife
Mais elle s'avance vers moi et laisse tomber sa rose
But she approaches me and drops her rose
Avec un billet qui propose un rendez-vous à l'hacienda
With a note that proposes a meeting at the hacienda
On s'était enlacés sous l'oranger mais la dueña
We had embraced under the orange tree but the dueña
Dont c'était le métier criait "vengeance, aux arènes!"
Whose job it was, shouted 'vengeance, to the arenas!'
Le matador trompé surgit de l'ombre et s'avance
The deceived matador appeared from the shadows and approached
Moi, sur mon oranger j'essaie de faire l'orange
Me, on my orange tree, trying to look inconspicuous
"L'homme, tu vas payer" dit-il, "voici l'estocade
"Man, you will pay" he said, "here is the thrust"
Mes picadors sont prêts et mon œil noir te regarde"
My picadors are ready and my dark eye is watching you
Et c'est depuis ce jour qu'un toréro me condamne
And it is since that day that a torero condemns me
À balayer sa cour pour l'avoir faite à sa femme
To sweep his courtyard for having been with his wife
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Al Verlane, Claude Lemesle, Richelle Dassin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind