Paul-Alain Leclerc, popularly known as Julien Clerc (born October 4, 1947 i… Read Full Bio ↴Paul-Alain Leclerc, popularly known as Julien Clerc (born October 4, 1947 in Paris) is a prominent French singer, pianist, and composer.

His father was a UNESCO employee and his mother is from Guadeloupe. Many of the chansons he sings were written by Étienne Roda-Gil, a long time collaborator. His brother, Gérard Leclerc, is a political commentator on France 2.

For a time he was involved with French actress Miou-Miou, who in 1978 bore him a daughter, Jeanne Herry. Like her father, Jeanne has pursued a career in show business, albeit as an actress and comedian rather than as a singer.

Julien Clerc owes his fame in France to his leading role in the 1969 French language adaptation of the musical Hair. Since then he has sung a great many popular songs, and is generally considered one of the greatest francophone musicians of his generation. In 2003, he was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees after transferring the rights to his hugely popular song, Partir, to the UN.

C'est une Andalouse
Julien Clerc Lyrics

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Pauvre loup tremblant et blessé
Mon cœur pleure sa vieille liberté
Depuis que les dents farouches
D'un monstre hâlé
Déchirent mon cœur et mon passé

C'est une Andalouse
Et elle peut prendre ma vie

Quand elle sourit
Quand elle se fait douce
Elle me blesse aussi tant pis

C'est une Andalouse
Et son cœur insoumis
Dévore ma vie
Et sans qu'on la pousse
Elle peut tuer aussi, tant pis
Mon Dieu bénissez les brebis
À qui l'amour simple est permis
Au fond de quels orages
De quelles mêlées
Fût créé ce monstre pressé

C'est une Andalouse
Et elle peut prendre ma vie
Quand elle sourit
Quand elle se fait douce
Elle me blesse aussi tant pis

Au fond de ta vie toi qui ris
Toi qui te crois bien à l'abri
Demande aux dieux superbes, de ton pays
De t'épargner cette angoissée

C'est une Andalouse
Et elle peut prendre ma vie
Quand elle sourit

Quand elle se fait douce
Elle me blesse aussi tant pis

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Julien Clerc's song "C'est Une Andalouse" reveal a complicated relationship between the singer and a woman from Andalusia. The song depicts a vulnerable and wounded narrator, comparing himself to a poor trembling and injured wolf, whose heart mourns its former freedom. The singer experiences a feeling of one's past violently ripped apart by a tanned monster's fierce teeth. The reference to the Andalusian woman as a monstrous predator becomes a metaphor for the singer's intense feelings of attraction and distress towards her.

The singer acknowledges that the Andalusian woman has the power to take his life, both through her smile and her gentle nature. Despite the harm she brings him, he cannot resist being drawn close to her. The lyrics suggest that the Andalusian woman is within his life and that she devours his freedom, asserting that he can be killed by her at any moment. He asks God to bless those who can love simply, expressing his confusion as to how such a monster-like creature could come into existence.

Interestingly, the lyrics suggest a certain sexual hostility, which is unusual for a chanson. The Andalusian woman is depicted as both a danger and a seductress, with the singer feeling powerless to resist her. The lyrics convey the passion and intensity of desire as well as the difficulty of exercising control over it. The song challenges traditional male-female dynamics by illustrating a feminine figure that holds masculine power over the male protagonist.

C'est une AndalouseJulien Clerc Lyrics

C'est une Andalouse
Julien Clerc Lyrics