L'enfant au walkman
Julien Clerc Lyrics

The song "L'enfant au walkman" by Julien Clerc is a nostalgic tribute to the era of cassette tapes, Walkmans, and the power of music. The lyrics describe a young boy who may not even know how to count to three, but is already familiar with the names of all the English music groups, thanks to his Walkman. He escapes from the real world by listening to music, dreaming of a parallel universe that is similar to his own, but more beautiful. The boy is seen as detached from reality, as he ignores the people around him, and lives in a world beyond their grasp.

The child's constant use of his Walkman shows the important impact of music in his life, and how it acts as a source of inspiration and hope. He seems to derive a lot of pleasure from listening to music, and Clerc asserts that even though the boy may not have a clear understanding of the future, music is enough to sustain him. The description of the boy's dream is lyrical and emotional, which contrasts with the dull, unappealing portrayal of heroes in history books. The song suggests that music holds the power to create alternative worlds, that are free of pain and sadness.

The use of the word "plane" (meaning "to fly" in French) frequently through the song, connotes the boy's life to that of floating or hovering above the Earth. The chorus repeats, "Il ne nous voit pas il plane, il plane" (He doesn't see us, he's flying, he's flying), which emphasizes the distance between the boy and the world around him. The song is touching, and it invites the listener to reflect on the importance of music in our lives and how it can enable us to imagine a better world.