Michel Sardou (born January 26, 1947) is a French singer.

He was bor… Read Full Bio ↴Michel Sardou (born January 26, 1947) is a French singer.

He was born in Paris, the son of Fernand Sardou and Jackie Rollin (Jackie Sardou). Contrary to what has been written at the beginning of his career, he is not the grandson of the dramatist Victorien Sardou.

He is known for songs dealing with various social and political issues, such as the rights of women in Islamic countries, clerical celibacy and colonialism. Another sometimes controversial theme found in some of his songs ("Les Ricains," for example) is respect and support for the culture and foreign policies of the United States. Another notable fact about his career is that he has focused his full attention on his homeland, ignoring the prospect of an international audience, although his 1981 single "Les lacs du Connemara" did manage to become a big international hit. A number of his hit songs were written in collaboration with Jacques Revaux, a few others (most notably "En chantant") with Italian singer Toto Cutugno.

Even in the 21st century, Michel Sardou remains immensely popular in France, selling out 18 consecutive dates at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in 2001, while his 2004 album "Du plaisir" went straight to the no. 1 spot on the French album charts.

He has been married three times, first to a French dancer, then to Babette (the mother of his children) and lastly to an lifelong friend who edits the French version of Vogue.

He is currently (2023) at the center of a controversy over a song he wrote fifty years ago: the lakes of Connemara. Juliette Armanet, a French pop starlet answering a question about a song that would made her leave a party and it was LES LACS DU CONNEMARA. Sardou, an idol of the French right, in spite of himself, is stuck between the left which finds him corny and the right which does not support that one attacks its institutions. Music is a strong force and nobody fights harder than those who LOVE certain songs. Amazingly this song has nothing to do with politics.

Bonsoir Clara
Michel Sardou Lyrics

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Marie-toi, mon vieux, marie-toi
Puisque tu l'aimes, puisque tu l'dis
Puisqu'elle est la moitié de toi
De ton travail et de ta vie
Marie-toi, mon vieux, marie-toi

Mais tu n'm'empêcheras pas de penser et je n'suis pas célibataire
Qu'une fois qu'la fougue t'aura passé

Ta femme ne s'ra pas passagère

Si tu n'veux pas si tu n'veux pas
Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête, te marie pas
Si tu préfères ta liberté
C'est pas l'moment d'avoir des chaînes à tes souliers
Fais ta valise
Bonsoir Clara
Fais bien la bise à ton tonton à ta tata

Si tu n'veux pas si tu neveux pas
Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête
Bonsoir Clara

Marie-toi, mon vieux, marie-toi
C'est la plus jolie chose au monde
Puisque t'es sûr, puisque tu crois que t'as la plus belle des blondes
Marie-toi, mon vieux, marie-toi

Mais tu n'm'empêcheras pas de penser
Même si ta femme c'est une affaire
Qu'une fois qu'la fougue t'aura passé
Tu regarderas pas celle de ton frère

Si tu n'veux pas si tu n'veux pas
Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête
Te marie pas
Si tu préfères ta liberté
C'est pas l'moment d'avoir des chaînes à tes souliers
Fais ta valise
Bonsoir Clara
Fais bien la bise à ton tonton à ta tata
Si tu n'veux pas si tu n'veux pas
Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête
Bonsoir Clara

Souviens-toi c'qui est arrivé
Pendant trente ans, à ton pauv'père
T'auras pas besoin d'la pousser
Pour qu'ta femme ressemble à ta mère

Si tu n'veux pas si tu n'veux pas
Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête
Te marie pas
Si tu préfères ta liberté
C'est pas l'moment d'avoir des chaînes à tes souliers
Fais ta valise
Bonsoir Clara
Fais bien la bise à ton tonton à ta tata
Si tu n'veux pas si tu n'veux pas

Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête
Bonsoir Clara
Si tu n'veux pas si tu n'veux pas

Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête
Te marie pas

Overall Meaning

In Michel Sardou's "Bonsoir Clara," the singer advises an old friend to get married to the woman he loves, despite his reservations. Sardou acknowledges that the woman is a huge part of his friend's life, and marrying her would be the most beautiful thing in the world. However, he also cautions that marriage is not always easy and that his friend must consider the consequences of his decision. Sardou points out that once the initial passion fades, his friend may find himself with a wife who is more of a burden than a partner, leading him to regret his decision to marry. Ultimately, Sardou leaves the decision up to his friend, but he reminds him to consider his freedom and the potential dangers of entering into a lifelong commitment.

The song touches on several themes related to marriage and love. Sardou seems to be warning against rushing into marriage without considering all the implications. He suggests that love may not be enough to sustain a marriage long-term, and that people should be cautious before taking such a significant step. The singer also speaks to the idea of personal freedom and the potential constraints that can come with marriage. While he acknowledges the beauty of a committed relationship, he also wants his friend to remember that he is responsible for his own happiness, and that he should not give up his freedom if he is not willing to take on the potential challenges of marriage.

Line by Line Meaning

Marie-toi, mon vieux, marie-toi
Get married, my old friend, get married

Puisque tu l'aimes, puisque tu l'dis
Since you love her, since you say so

Puisqu'elle est la moitié de toi
Since she is half of you

De ton travail et de ta vie
Of your work and your life

Mais tu n'm'empêcheras pas de penser et je n'suis pas célibataire
But you won't prevent me from thinking, and I'm not single

Qu'une fois qu'la fougue t'aura passé
That once your passion has subsided

Ta femme ne s'ra pas passagère
Your wife won't be temporary

Si tu n'veux pas si tu n'veux pas
If you don't want, if you don't want

Si tu n'veux pas que ta femme t'embête, te marie pas
If you don't want your wife to annoy you, don't get married

Si tu préfères ta liberté
If you prefer your freedom

C'est pas l'moment d'avoir des chaînes à tes souliers
It's not the time to have chains on your feet