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.

Le Visage De L'Année
Michel Sardou Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bonnet blanc, blanches bottes
Ciré blanc et genou mutin
Regard noir, mèches folles
Le monde t’appartient
Tu as le visage de l’année
Tu as le visage de l’année

Je sais bien qu’à notre époque

Il faut montrer ce qu’on a
Mais de ça, moi je me moque
Si tu ne le montres qu’à moi
Bonnet blanc, blanches bottes
Ciré blanc et genou mutin
Regard noir, mèches folles
Le monde t’appartiеnt
Tu as le visage de l’annéе
Tu as le visage de l’année

Mais il faut que tu pavanes
Qu’on te voie partout chaque nuit
Que tu plaises qu’on te regarde
Tu vis l’amour au raccourci

Bonnet blanc, blanches bottes
Ciré blanc et genou mutin
Regard noir, mèches folles
Le monde t’appartient
Tu as le visage de l’année
Tu as le visage de l’année

Au petit jeu qui est le tien
Je perds mon cœur et ma santé
On va me trouver un matin
Tout dévoré par le regret

Bonnet blanc, blanches bottes
Ciré blanc et genou mutin
Regard noir, mèches folles
Le monde t’appartient
Tu as le visage de l’année

Tu as le visage de l’année
Tu as le visage de l’année

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Le Visage De L'Année" by Michel Sardou depict a person who embodies the spirit of the year. The song describes this character as wearing a white hat, white boots, a white raincoat, and having a mischievous knee and a dark gaze. The world belongs to this person as they possess the face of the year.

The singer acknowledges the pressure of our modern era to show off material possessions, but expresses his indifference towards it. He states that he doesn't care about what this person has, as long as they only show their true self to him. The lyrics emphasize the image of the white hat, boots, raincoat, and disheveled hair, symbolizing a carefree and confident attitude.

However, there is also an undertone of sadness and bitterness in the singer's voice. He mentions that this person needs to boast and be seen everywhere every night, drawing attention and seeking validation. It seems that the person is living love superficially, taking shortcuts and not truly experiencing its depth.

The final verse reveals the singer's vulnerability and the consequences of being involved with this person. He confesses that he loses his heart and well-being through their game. The singer implies that he will end up consumed by regret, metaphorically devoured by the aftermath of their relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Bonnet blanc, blanches bottes
You dress in innocence and purity

Ciré blanc et genou mutin
Your white raincoat and mischievous knee

Regard noir, mèches folles
Your dark gaze and wild locks

Le monde t’appartient
The world belongs to you

Tu as le visage de l’année
You have the face of the year

Je sais bien qu’à notre époque
I know very well that in our time

Il faut montrer ce qu’on a
It is necessary to show what we have

Mais de ça, moi je me moque
But I don't care about that

Si tu ne le montres qu’à moi
If you only show it to me

Mais il faut que tu pavanes
But you must show off

Qu’on te voie partout chaque nuit
That everyone sees you everywhere every night