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.
Macumba
Julien Clerc Lyrics
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Et on dit qu'c'est grâce à toi
A ta musique qui bat, qui bat
Le mal s'en va quand tu es là
Sorcier de là-bas, sorcier de là-bas
Le serpent parle, le vautour boit
Et on dit qu'tu fais tout ça
Au fond de nous comme un magma
Sorcier de là-bas, sorcier de là-bas
Macumba, macumba magie noire et blanche à la fois
Macumba, macumba ce soir, ce soir je crois en toi
Oh macumba, macumba à ton sorcier et à sa voix
Oh macumba, à sa musique qui bat, qui bat
Rends-moi sauvage comme autrefois
Et rends-moi bon tout à la fois
Ce soir, ce soir je crois en toi
A ta musique qui bat, qui bat
sorcier de là-bas, sorcier de là-bas
Macumba, macumba magie noire et blanche à la fois
Macumba, macumba l'amour revient, la mort s'en va
Oh macumba, macumba grâce au sorcier et à sa voix
Oh macumba, à sa musique qui bat, qui bat
Le sourd entend, l'aveugle voit, sorcier de là-bas
Le serpent parle, le vautour boit, sorcier de là-bas
Rends-moi sauvage comme autrefois, sorcier de là-bas
Et rends-moi bon tout à la fois, sorcier de là-bas
The lyrics of Julien Clerc's song "Macumba" center on the power and mystique of a mysterious individual known as the sorcerer from elsewhere (sorcier de là-bas). The song references how the sorcerer's music has the ability to heal and dispel negative energy, with lines such as "Le mal s'en va quand tu es là" (evil goes away when you're here) and "Macumba, l'amour revient, la mort s'en va" (love returns, death goes away). The lyrics suggest that the sorcerer possesses supernatural abilities to talk to snakes, make vultures drink, and conjure up a potent magical mix of black and white.
The refrain of "Macumba, macumba" threads the song together and adds a hypnotic quality to the tune, which contributes to the haunting, otherworldly quality of the song. Julien Clerc's soothing voice creates a captivating ambiance that elevates the song into a spellbinding and electrifying auditory experience.
Overall, "Macumba" is a song that celebrates the power of music, highlighting how it can touch and heal the soul by evoking strong emotions and mystical energies.
Line by Line Meaning
Le sourd entend, l'aveugle voit
People who are deaf can hear, and people who are blind can see, because of the power of your music.
Et on dit qu'c'est grâce à toi
It is said that this is thanks to you.
A ta musique qui bat, qui bat
Your music beats and throbs with power.
Le mal s'en va quand tu es là
When you are there, evil goes away.
Sorcier de là-bas, sorcier de là-bas
You are a sorcerer from far away.
Le serpent parle, le vautour boit
Snakes talk and vultures drink because of your power.
Et on dit qu'tu fais tout ça
It is said that you are responsible for all of this.
Pour libérer ce qui est là
You are here to free what is inside us.
Au fond de nous comme un magma
Deep inside us, like molten lava.
Macumba, macumba magie noire et blanche à la fois
Macumba, black and white magic at the same time.
Macumba, macumba ce soir, ce soir je crois en toi
Tonight, I believe in you, Macumba.
Oh macumba, macumba à ton sorcier et à sa voix
Oh Macumba, to your sorcerer and his voice.
Rends-moi sauvage comme autrefois
Make me wild again, like in the old times.
Et rends-moi bon tout à la fois
And make me good at the same time.
Macumba, macumba l'amour revient, la mort s'en va
Macumba, love returns, and death goes away.
Oh macumba, macumba grâce au sorcier et à sa voix
Oh Macumba, thanks to your sorcerer and his voice.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SIDONIE
Written by: ETIENNE RODA-GIL, MERLOT LECLERC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind