Michel Jonasz, born January 21, 1947 in Drancy, France, is a French compose… Read Full Bio ↴Michel Jonasz, born January 21, 1947 in Drancy, France, is a French composer-songwriter, singer and actor. He has among others composed: La boîte de jazz, Joueurs de blues and Les vacances au bord de la mer. Born in France to Hungarian immigrant parents, Michel Jonasz left the school at 15 and sought his way as an artist. Painting, theatre and music interested him, but he first found recognition as a pianist.

After having worked with the group of Vigon, Lemons, he created the group King Set in 1966 with his friend and guitarist Alain Goldstein. Two radio successes make known his voice and his talent for the rhythm: an original composition, Apesanteur (Weightlessness), in 1967, and Jezebel in 1968. His solo career began slowly with a 45t at the end of 1968 under the name of Michel Kingset, the following in 1970 under his own name. He has to wait until 1974 to find a large audience with two simultaneous "tubes": Say to me and Super Nana.

Danse papa danse
Michel Jonasz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Danse, papa danse
Prend bien la cadence
Le style on s'en balance, papa danse
Danse, papa danse
Tes bras dans tous les sens
Tes pieds faut plus qu' t'y pense, papa danse

Après t' iras crier partout

Quand réfléchissant bien à tout
T' as rien fait, t' es rien du tout
Raté l' travail, l'amour itou
Y t'aimait pas l' grand manitou
Pour l'instant fais un trait sur tout
Oublie, oublie, oublie tout

Danse, papa danse
Et prend bien la cadence
Le style on s'en balance, papa danse
Danse, papa danse
Tes bras dans tous les sens
Tes pieds faut plus qu' t'y pense, papa danse

Après tu roul'ras dans la boue
La vie quand on voit jamais l'bout
L'amour quand tu tiens pas l' bon bout
Ou pire, quand y a personne au bout
L'argent, faut joindre les deux bouts
Si tu mets tout ça bout à bout
Laisses tomber, tu boues, t'es à bout

Danse, papa danse (papa danse)
Prend bien la cadence (prend bien la cadence)
Le style on s'en balance, papa danse
Danse, papa danse (papa danse)
Tes bras dans tous les sens (tes bras dans tous les sens)
Tes pieds faut plus qu' t'y pense, papa danse
(danse, papa danse) (danse, papa danse)

(ad lib)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Michel Jonasz's "Danse papa danse" encourage one to let go of their worries and just dance, no matter how ridiculous they may feel. The first verse instructs the father figure to take the rhythm and let his arms and feet move freely. The chorus repeats this idea of not caring about style and just focusing on the dance.

The following verse is more introspective and suggests that after dancing, one may reflect on their life and the things they have failed at, such as work, love, or money. However, the lyrics advise to forget about those troubles and just keep dancing. The final verse suggests that even if life feels like a mess, one can find solace and enjoyment in dancing.

Overall, the song conveys the idea that dancing can provide a temporary escape from life's challenges and bring joy in the moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Danse, papa danse
Father, dance

Prend bien la cadence
Take the rhythm well

Le style on s'en balance, papa danse
Style doesn't matter, father just dance

Tes bras dans tous les sens
Your arms in all directions

Tes pieds faut plus qu' t'y pense, papa danse
Your feet, you don't have to think about them, father just dance

Après t' iras crier partout
Afterwards, you will shout everywhere

Quand réfléchissant bien à tout
When reflecting on everything

T' as rien fait, t' es rien du tout
You have done nothing, you are nothing

Raté l' travail, l'amour itou
Failed at work and love as well

Y t'aimait pas l' grand manitou
The big boss didn't like you