On January 26, 1986, French humorist Coluche, who had set up Les Restos du Cœur a few months earlier, invited a number of artists and public figures to appear on television as a promotional move. The band, whose line-up was never the same, was dubbed "Les Enfoirés" in reference to one of Coluche's catchwords. After Coluche died in a motorbike accident (June 19, 1986) his widow, Véronique Colucci, called on those who had participated to continue his actions, and the band was revived for a further television show. The concept has since evolved into an annual concert, bringing together up to forty artists and celebrities from various backgrounds. The funds raised by the concerts and derived records under the name "Enfoirés" are donated to Les Restos du Cœur.
One of the key features of Les Enfoirés is "La Chanson des Enfoirés", a song which became a sort of hymn to the charity, written by Jean-Jacques Goldman, a long-time supporter of the organisation.
Lady Lay
Les Enfoirés Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lady Lady Lady lay
Je vous revois me sourire
Lady Lady lay, Lady Lady Lady lay
Lady Lady Lady lay
Vous mon plus beau souvenir
Moi quinze ans vous presque une femm' déjà
Et pourtant combien de fois
Au printemps dans la lumière on courait
Puis dans 'herbe on s'allongeait
Votre cœur enfin battait près du mien
Et j'étais si bien
Hey, Hey, Lady Lady lay, Lady Lady Lady lay
Lady Lady Lady lay
Je pense a vous bien souvent
Lady Lady lay, Lady Lady Lady lay
Lady Lady Lady lay
Je redeviens un enfant
Vos regards et vous élans de tendresse
Étaient pou moi de caresses
Je fermais les yeux et j'étais heureux
J'ai cherché depuis ce temps là, sans cesse
Un autre amour de jeunesse mais aucun jamais
N'a su remplacer Lady Lady lay
Hey, Hey, Lady Lady lay, Lady Lady Lady lay
Lady Lady Lady lay
Je pense a vous bien souvent
Lady Lady lay, Lady Lady Lady lay
Lady Lady Lady lay
Je redeviens un enfant
The song "Lady Lay" by Les Enfoirés reminisces on a past love from the perspective of a person who was fifteen at the time of the relationship. The lyrics express the idea that the memory of this past love has stayed with them throughout their life, and they have never been able to find another love quite like it. The first verse describes the memory of the person's smile, which is their "most beautiful memory."
The second verse describes the activities that the two lovers used to do together, such as running and lying in the grass. These activities are presented in a very idyllic light, with the imagery of spring and light being used to evoke a sense of happiness and peace. The chorus repeats the phrase "Lady Lady Lay" several times, emphasizing the importance of this love in the singer's life.
The final verse describes the continued longing that the singer has for their past love, with lines like "I think of you often" and "I become a child again." The overall tone of the song is one of sadness and nostalgia, as the singer mourns the loss of a love that has stayed with them for so many years.
Overall, the song "Lady Lay" by Les Enfoirés is a beautiful and emotional tribute to a past love that remained with the singer throughout their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Lady lay, Lady Lady Lady lay
Addressing the lady with admiration and fondness, repeating the phrase to emphasize on the beauty of the lady
Je vous revois me sourire
Recalling the smile of the lady, indicating a cherished memory with her
Vous mon plus beau souvenir
The lady holds a special place in the person's memory, being the most beautiful memory the person has
Moi quinze ans vous presque une femm' déjà
The person was fifteen years old while the lady was almost a grown woman, highlighting the age difference between them
Et pourtant combien de fois
Despite the age difference, the person remembers how often they dreamed of kissing the lady
Souvent j'ai rêvé de vous embrasser
Revealing that the person desired the lady romantically
Au printemps dans la lumière on courait
Narrating a memory of running together in the spring sunlight
Puis dans 'herbe on s'allongeait
Recounting a moment of lying in the grass together
Votre cœur enfin battait près du mien
Describing a moment of emotional closeness, when their hearts were beating close to each other
Et j'étais si bien
Expressing how comfortable and happy the person was in the lady's presence
Je pense a vous bien souvent
Admitting that the person thinks of the lady frequently, showing that she still holds a place in their heart
Je redeviens un enfant
The thought of the lady brings back the person's childhood innocence and happiness
Vos regards et vous élans de tendresse
Recalling the lady's affectionate gazes and gestures, highlighting her kindness and warmth
Étaient pou moi de caresses
The lady's gestures were like caresses to the person, highlighting how much they appreciated her affection
Je fermais les yeux et j'étais heureux
Closing one's eyes and feeling happy in the lady's embrace, emphasizing the joy she brought to their life
J'ai cherché depuis ce temps là, sans cesse
The person has searched continuously since that time, indicating that the lady left an indelible imprint on their life
Un autre amour de jeunesse mais aucun jamais
The person has tried to find another love of their youth, but no one has ever replaced the lady
N'a su remplacer Lady Lady lay
Ending the song on a sentimental note, the lady cannot be replaced and holds a special place in the person's heart
Writer(s): Pierre Groscolas, Michel Jourdan, Donny Marchand
Contributed by Michael N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.