Michel Polnareff is one of the French music scene's more unconventional figures. He has a reputation for his wildly non-conformist lifestyle, but also made a name for himself with his legendary melodies.
Les Grands Sentiments Humains
Michel Polnareff Lyrics
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Comme tu es dans la vie,
Alors va-t-en je t'en prie
Va-t-en je t'en prie
Non ne reste plus ici
Et peut-être bien que là-bas, j'y suis
Mais sans toi
Ta morale ne me touche pas
Est une infamie
Je suis plus fatigué
De t'écouter que de t'aimer
Toi tu parles
Ta pa di pa di ta pa di
De grands sentiments
Ta pa ta pa ta pa pa pata
Si tu es au lit
Comme tu parles ou comme tu lis
Va-t-en je t'en prie
Et n'oublie pas ton mépris
Il fait si froid dehors
Presque autant que quand dans mes bras
Tu es au lit
Comme tu es dans la vie
Il faut essayer
Avant de se marier
Elle est loin la mode de la virginité
Il n'y a pas de paradis sans amour
Toi tu passes ton temps à rêver
De grands sentiments
Ba be di don di don be di don
Moi je veux de plaisir
Ta pa da ta pa
Tes sacrés principes
Ne remplacent pas le désir
The lyrics to Michel Polnareff's song "Les Grands Sentiments Humains" are a commentary on the disillusionment of love and the importance of physical desire in a relationship. The opening lines are a request for the subject to leave, based on the singer's perception of their moral superiority. He notes that the subject speaks about "grands sentiments," or grand feelings, but that their talk is empty and uninteresting to him. Throughout the song, the singer contrasts the subject's lofty ideas about love and commitment to his own desire for physical pleasure.
The refrain, "Si tu es au lit comme tu es dans la vie" ("If you are in bed as you are in life"), highlights the singer's frustration with the subject's inability to live up to their own high moral standards. He notes that the subject's talk of love and commitment falls flat because their actions in bed (or in life) don't match their words. The singer is tired of listening to the subject's pretentious and empty talk about "grands sentiments" and instead desires a partner who is open and honest about their physical desires.
Overall, the lyrics to "Les Grands Sentiments Humains" present a cynical view of love and commitment, suggesting that physical desire is just as important, if not more important, than grand ideals about love and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Si tu es au lit
If you are in bed
Comme tu es dans la vie,
As you are in life,
Alors va-t-en je t'en prie
Then go away, I beg you
Va-t-en je t'en prie
Go away, I beg you
Non ne reste plus ici
No, don't stay here anymore
Et peut-être bien que là-bas, j'y suis
And maybe I am there, over there
Mais sans toi
But without you
Ta morale ne me touche pas
Your morals do not touch me
Pour toi dire "chéri"
For you, saying "darling"
Est une infamie
Is an infamy
Je suis plus fatigué
I am more tired
De t'écouter que de t'aimer
Of listening to you than loving you
Toi tu parles
You, you talk
Ta pa di pa di ta pa di
Your pau dit, pau di, pau di
De grands sentiments
Of grand sentiments
Ta pa ta pa ta pa pa pata
Your ta pa ta pa ta pa, pa ta
Si tu es au lit
If you are in bed
Comme tu parles ou comme tu lis
As you talk, or as you read
Va-t-en je t'en prie
Go away, I beg you
Et n'oublie pas ton mépris
And don't forget your contempt
Il fait si froid dehors
It's so cold outside
Presque autant que quand dans mes bras
Almost as much as when in my arms
Tu es au lit
You are in bed
Comme tu es dans la vie
As you are in life
Il faut essayer
One must try
Avant de se marier
Before getting married
Elle est loin la mode de la virginité
The time of virginity is far away
Il n'y a pas de paradis sans amour
There is no paradise without love
Toi tu passes ton temps à rêver
You spend your time dreaming
De grands sentiments
Of grand sentiments
Ba be di don di don be di don
Ba be di don di don be di don
Moi je veux de plaisir
I, on the other hand, want pleasure
Ta pa da ta pa
Your ta pa da ta pa
Tes sacrés principes
Your sacred principles
Ne remplacent pas le désir
Do not replace desire
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), BMG Rights Management
Written by: Michel Polnareff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind