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.
Rester
Julien Clerc Lyrics
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Quand j'm'en irai les pieds devant
Quand j'aurais fais mon tps d'ici bas
Quand il me faudra rendre tous mes soupirs
Restera-t-il qqn pour se souvenir
On dira peut être du mal,
On dira peut être du bien
Comme si de rien n'était et puis voila
Comme deu {x3} petits tours et puis s'en va
Rester encore un peu
Au coin d'un oeil, d'un feu
Rester sans déranger
Dans vos pensées rester
Qui s'aimera quand j'serais plus la
Qui se retrouvera sous la pluie
La peau glacée le coeur ébloui
Qui se mentira sous les reverbers
Qui se tordra les mains pour une chimère
Comme si de rien n'était et puis voila
Comme deux trois petits tours et puis s'en va
Rester encore un peu
Le nez dans tes cheveux
Rester dans ton sourire
Oublier de partir
Où seras tu quand j'serais plus la
Devant qui te promèneras tu
A demie nue au creux de quels bras
Comment savoir si tu ne prends pas froid
Comment savoir si tu ne prends pas froid
The song "Rester" (which means "to stay" in English) by Julien Clerc is a reflection on mortality and the legacy one leaves behind. The lyrics ask what people will say about the singer when he passes away, whether it will be good or bad or whether people will say anything at all. The chorus has the singer pleading to stay a bit longer, to be remembered and to not be forgotten. The second verse questions who will love and care for those left behind, and how they will cope with the loss. The song ends with a final plea to stay a while longer.
The lyrics of "Rester" are simple but powerful, and they touch on a universal theme: the fear of being forgotten. The song is beautifully arranged, with its gentle melody and melancholic tone. It speaks to the human condition of wanting to be loved and remembered long after we are gone. It reminds us that life is precious and fleeting, and that it's important to make the most of the time we have.
Line by Line Meaning
Qu'est-ce qu'on pourra bien dire de moi
What will people say about me?
Quand j'm'en irai les pieds devant
When I leave this world
Quand j'aurais fais mon tps d'ici bas
When I have fulfilled my purpose on earth
Quand il me faudra rendre tous mes soupirs
When I have to give back all the breaths I took
Restera-t-il qqn pour se souvenir
Will there be anyone left to remember me?
On dira peut être du mal,
They might say bad things about me,
On dira peut être du bien
They might say good things about me
Le pire serait que l'on ne dise rien
The worst would be if no one says anything about me
Comme si de rien n'était et puis voila
As if nothing ever happened
Comme deu {x3} petits tours et puis s'en va
Just like a few small turns, then I'm gone
Rester encore un peu
Stay a little longer
Au coin d'un oeil, d'un feu
In the corner of an eye, by the fire
Rester sans déranger
Stay without bothering
Dans vos pensées rester
Remain in your thoughts
Qui s'aimera quand j'serais plus la
Who will love each other when I'm gone?
Qui se retrouvera sous la pluie
Who will meet under the rain?
La peau glacée le coeur ébloui
Skin chilled, heart captivated
Qui se mentira sous les reverbers
Who will lie under the light
Qui se tordra les mains pour une chimère
Who will twist their hands for a dream?
Le nez dans tes cheveux
Nose in your hair
Rester dans ton sourire
Stay in your smile
Oublier de partir
Forget to leave
Où seras tu quand j'serais plus la
Where will you be when I'm gone?
Devant qui te promèneras tu
Who will you walk with?
A demie nue au creux de quels bras
Half-naked, in whose arms?
Comment savoir si tu ne prends pas froid
How will I know if you're not catching a cold?
Contributed by Evan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.