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.
Exit Dylan
Michel Sardou Lyrics
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Des idées neuves qui me rappellent
Qu'il y a encore dix ou quinze ans
Je me battais déjà pour elle
Ça tambourine dans mon cerveau
De guitares sèches en guitares basses
Sous mes Ray-Ban, sous ton chapeau
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans la voix
Une dernière chanson qui proteste
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans le cœur
Une carte postale du Middle West
Je n'pouvais pas imaginer
Qu'le monde pourrait tourner sans moi
Maître du monde, maître à penser
Je voulais tout vivre à la fois
Le cours de l'or, les billets verts
Ça change un homme, sans aucun doute
Y a longtemps qu'j'ai pas vu la mer
Y a longtemps qu'j'ai pas fait la route
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans la voix
Une dernière chanson qui proteste
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans le cœur
Une carte postale du Middle West
Rien n'a bougé, tout a changé
Comme les horloges et les miroirs
Soleil d'automne ou pluie d'été
J'ai fait semblant de ne rien voir
J'avais rêvé de vivre ailleurs
Toujours une valise à la main
Révolutionnaire à mes heures
Mais je n'y pense plus tout est bien
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans la voix
Une dernière chanson qui proteste
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans le cœur
Une carte postale du Middle West
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans la voix
Une dernière chanson qui proteste
(Exit Dylan)
J'ai dans le cœur
Une carte postale du Middle West
The lyrics to Michel Sardou's song "Exit Dylan" describe the artist's reflection on his past as a revolutionary figure and his realization that the world has moved on without him. Sardou hears "new ideas" in the wind that remind him of his past battles for change, but he acknowledges that time has passed and that he cannot imagine a world without him. He wanted to experience everything at once, from the changing value of gold and money to traveling and revolutionizing. He often had a suitcase in hand and was a "revolutionary at his hours," but he now realizes that everything is okay and that the world has changed despite his absence.
The song incorporates a clear reference to Bob Dylan, with the song's title and chorus of "Exit Dylan." This is a provocative reference since Dylan is often regarded as the voice of a generation that fought for change, and Sardou is indicating that he understands that the times have moved on from Dylan and himself.
Overall, "Exit Dylan" is a reflective song about growing older and discovering the evolution of the world beyond oneself. It recognizes that while time has passed, there is still an appreciation for the passion and energy of youth.
Line by Line Meaning
J'entends, dans le souffle du vent
I hear in the wind a reminder of new ideas that echo from a time 10 or 15 years ago when I fought for something
Des idées neuves qui me rappellent
These new ideas remind me of the past
Qu'il y a encore dix ou quinze ans
That was around 10 or 15 years ago
Je me battais déjà pour elle
I was already fighting for it back then
Ça tambourine dans mon cerveau
It's echoing in my head
De guitares sèches en guitares basses
From acoustic to bass guitars
Sous mes Ray-Ban, sous ton chapeau
Behind my Ray-Bans, under your hat
On dirait bien que rien ne passe
It seems like nothing is happening
(Exit Dylan)
Exit Dylan
J'ai dans la voix
I have in my voice
Une dernière chanson qui proteste
One last protesting song
(Exit Dylan)
Exit Dylan
J'ai dans le cœur
I have in my heart
Une carte postale du Middle West
A postcard from the middle west
Je n'pouvais pas imaginer
I couldn't imagine
Qu'le monde pourrait tourner sans moi
The world could keep turning without me
Maître du monde, maître à penser
Master of the world, a mastermind
Je voulais tout vivre à la fois
I wanted to live everything at once
Le cours de l'or, les billets verts
The price of gold, greenbacks (money)
Ça change un homme, sans aucun doute
No doubt, it changes a man
Y a longtemps qu'j'ai pas vu la mer
It's been a long time since I saw the sea
Y a longtemps qu'j'ai pas fait la route
It's been a long time since I hit the road
(Exit Dylan)
Exit Dylan
J'ai dans la voix
I have in my voice
Une dernière chanson qui proteste
One last protesting song
(Exit Dylan)
Exit Dylan
J'ai dans le cœur
I have in my heart
Une carte postale du Middle West
A postcard from the middle west
Rien n'a bougé, tout a changé
Nothing has moved, everything has changed
Comme les horloges et les miroirs
Like clocks and mirrors
Soleil d'automne ou pluie d'été
Autumn sun or summer rain
J'ai fait semblant de ne rien voir
I pretended not to see anything
J'avais rêvé de vivre ailleurs
I had dreamed of living somewhere else
Toujours une valise à la main
Always carrying a suitcase
Révolutionnaire à mes heures
Revolutionary at times
Mais je n'y pense plus tout est bien
But I don't think about it anymore, everything is good
(Exit Dylan)
Exit Dylan
J'ai dans la voix
I have in my voice
Une dernière chanson qui proteste
One last protesting song
(Exit Dylan)
Exit Dylan
J'ai dans le cœur
I have in my heart
Une carte postale du Middle West
A postcard from the middle west
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Didier Barbelivien, Jean-Pierre Bourtayre, Michel Sardou
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind