Les Enfoirés (French for "The Tossers"), is the name given to the singers a… Read Full Bio ↴Les Enfoirés (French for "The Tossers"), is the name given to the singers and performers in the yearly charity concert for the Restaurants du Cœur (Les Restos du Cœur).

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.

Les feux d'artifice
Les Enfoirés Lyrics

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J'étais hissé sur des épaules
Sous ces galaxies gigantesques
Je rêvais en tendant les paumes
De pouvoir les effleurer presque
Ça explosait en fleurs superbes
En arabesques sidérales
Pour faire des bouquets d'univers
Moi, je voulais cueillir ces étoiles

On allait aux feux d'artifice
Voir ces étoiles de pas longtemps
Qui naissent, qui brillent et puis qui glissent
En retombant vers l'océan
Et ça fait des étoiles de mer
Ça met dans les yeux des enfants
Des constellations éphémères
Et on s'en souvient quand on est grand

Dans le ciel vibrant de musique
Je voyais naître des planètes
Jaillir des lumières fantastiques
Et tomber des pluies de comètes
Je m'imaginais amiral
Regardant voler mes flottilles
J'ai fait des rêves admirables
Sous ces fusées de pacotille

On allait aux feux d'artifice
Voir ces étoiles de pas longtemps
Qui naissent, qui brillent et puis qui glissent
En retombant vers l'océan
Et ça fait des étoiles de mer
Ça met dans les yeux des enfants
Des constellations éphémères
Et on s'en souvient quand on est grand

Puis sous les cieux incandescents
Quelqu'un refaisait mes lacets
Je voyais des adolescents
Au loin, là-bas, qui s'enlaçaient
Ça laissait dans mes yeux longtemps
Des traînées de rose et de vert
Je voyais dans mon lit d'enfant
Des univers sur mes paupières

Nous sommes comme les feux d'artifice
Vu qu'on est là pour pas longtemps
Faisons en sorte, tant qu'on existe
De briller dans les yeux des gens
De leur offrir de la lumière
Comme un météore en passant

Car, même si tout est éphémère
On s'en souvient pendant longtemps

Overall Meaning

In the lyrics of Les Enfoirés's song "Les feux d'artifice," the singer reflects on the fleeting beauty and transient nature of life by drawing parallels between fireworks displays and human existence. The first stanza describes the singer's childhood awe and wonder as they are lifted onto shoulders to witness dazzling fireworks in the night sky. The imagery of reaching out to touch the stars reflects a longing for something unattainable yet mesmerizing. The fireworks are depicted as magnificent explosions of flowers and cosmic designs, symbolizing the magic and allure of the universe.

The second stanza continues the theme of impermanence, likening the brief existence of fireworks to the passing moments in life. The mention of stars falling into the ocean and transforming into starfish emphasizes the cycle of creation, beauty, and eventual fading away. The nostalgia for the ephemeral nature of childhood memories is captured through the idea of temporary constellations that leave lasting impressions on one's heart even into adulthood.

As the singer recalls the splendor of fireworks in the sky, they also envision a grand spectacle unfolding before them – planets being born, fantastic lights shining, and comets showering down. The comparison to an admiral overseeing fleets of ships hints at a sense of control and power within the transient and illusory nature of fireworks. The reference to "pacotille" (trinkets) suggests that beneath the surface charm lies a deeper reflection on the nature of dreams and aspirations.

In the final stanza, the singer reflects on the passage of time and the changing nature of relationships and experiences. As someone else ties their shoelaces, the singer observes young lovers embracing in the distance, leaving behind traces of color in their wake. The imagery of universes on the singer's eyelids symbolizes the vast and ever-changing landscapes of memory and imagination. The overarching message of the song emphasizes the importance of shining brightly in the lives of others, like a passing meteor shower, and leaving a lasting impact even in the face of life's transience.

Lyrics © DERRIERE LES PLANCHES D L P, LES POUPEES, GIOCA MUSIC SARL, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Paul Ecole, Gioacchino Maurici

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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