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.
Le Caravanier
Julien Clerc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pour la saison
Des cheveux bien trop longs
Pour la région
Une chemise dont les trous
Rêvent de me suivre un peu partout
De me suivre un peu partout
Je suis le caravanier
D’un grand voyage organisé
Du rimmel bleu qui fond
Pour l’émotion
Des cheveux bien trop blonds
À discrétion
Une pâleur inondant tout
Malgré le soleil rouge et fou
Le soleil sombre et fou
Sur la piste des savanes
Je suis le caravanier
D’un grand voyage organisé
D’un grand voyage organisé
Prémédité en liberté
Dans les limites d’un été
Sur la piste des savanes
Nous vivons en liberté
Dans les limites d’un été
Un safari prémédité
Dont je suis le caravanier
In "Le Caravanier," Julien Clerc describes himself as the caravan leader, leading a group of travelers on a safari journey through the savannas. From the perspective of the caravan leader, he describes his attire and physical appearance in detail, highlighting his mismatched clothing and worn-out shirt that dreams of following him wherever he goes.
Despite the heat and the sun's intensity, he wears too much makeup and has too blonde hair styles discreetly for his occasion. His paleness is unusual and is impossible considering the amount of sun exposure they are experiencing in the savannah.
The lyrics speak about a premeditated and organized journey while being free within the limits of summer, indicating that there is a clear plan that they are following, but there is still the opportunity to enjoy the experience while gracefully moving through it.
Overall, the lyrics of the song quickly show the caravanier's description, which is focused on his physical appearance, and how he experiences the safari journey of leading others through this traveling adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Des souliers bien trop grands Pour la saison
My shoes are too big for this season.
Des cheveux bien trop longs Pour la région
My hair is too long for this area.
Une chemise dont les trous Rêvent de me suivre un peu partout De me suivre un peu partout
My shirt with holes wants to follow me everywhere.
Sur la piste des savanes Je suis le caravanier D’un grand voyage organisé
I am the caravan leader on a planned journey through the savannah.
Du rimmel bleu qui fond Pour l’émotion Des cheveux bien trop blonds À discrétion Une pâleur inondant tout Malgré le soleil rouge et fou Le soleil sombre et fou
My blue eyeliner that smears with emotion, my overly blonde hair, and my pale skin that looks out of place under the blazing sun.
D’un grand voyage organisé Prémédité en liberté Dans les limites d’un été Sur la piste des savanes Nous vivons en liberté Dans les limites d’un été
A planned journey with the freedom to enjoy within the limits of summer, where we live freely on the savannah.
Un safari prémédité Dont je suis le caravanier
A planned safari, for which I am the caravan leader.
Contributed by Kayla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.