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.
Merci Pour Tout
Michel Sardou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Merci beaucoup
On est dans l'coup papa
Et jusqu'au cou
Toi, tu t'envoies en l'air
Et nous voilà sur terre
C'est un beau coup papa
Merci beaucoup
Vous direz à mes filles quand elles auront quinze ans
Qu'elles sont nées un jour, d'un éclat de printemps
Leur maman était belle et j'en avais envie
Mais le ciel m'est témoin que je n'ai rien promis
C'est un beau coup papa
Merci beaucoup
On est dans l'coup papa
Et jusqu'au cou
Toi, tu t'envoies en l'air
Et nous voilà sur terre
C'est un beau coup papa
Merci beaucoup
Vous direz à mes filles quand elles auront quinze ans
De se méfier des hommes qui leur disent en chantant
Des paroles d'argent pour atteindre leur cœur
Et font en même temps le geste du semeur
C'est un beau coup papa
Un coup de trop
Coucou et nous voilà
Année zéro
Toi tu as disparu
Au premier coin de rue
C'est un beau coup papa
Merci beaucoup
Vous direz à mes filles si vous les rencontrez
De bien jouir de la vie que je leur ai donnée
De jouer à tous les jeux et surtout à l'amour
Et d'oublier demain pour le bonheur du jour
C'est un beau coup papa
Merci beaucoup
On est dans l'coup papa
Et jusqu'au cou
Toi, tu t'envoies en l'air
Et nous voilà sur terre
C'est un beau coup papa
Merci beaucoup
C'est un beau coup papa
Un coup de trop
Coucou et nous voilà
Année zéro
Toi tu as disparu
Au premier coin de rue
C'est un beau coup papa
Merci beaucoup
The lyrics to Michel Sardou's song "Merci Pour Tout" are a reflection of a father's regrets and attempts to make amends before departing from his family's life. The opening verse, "C'est un beau coup papa, Merci beaucoup" translates to "It was a great move, Dad, thank you very much." This line implies that the father had made an impactful but regrettable decision, possibly to abandon his family, but may have regrets about his actions.
The song suggests that the father is leaving his daughters without any promises or commitments, and he wants his girls to know that they were born from a love of springtime without any strings attached. The father advises his daughters to be cautious with men who may deceive them with sweet words and empty promises. This line implies that the father may have been one of those men and is regretful for it. He expresses his desire for his daughters to enjoy life, play games, and experience love, and to live in the moment without worrying too much about tomorrow.
The song's final verse suggests that the father has disappeared or left, leaving his daughters alone to face the future. The gratitude expressed in the opening verse seems like a veiled apology, and the father may be trying to make peace with his past actions. Overall, the song conveys a sense of remorse and regret and is a poignant reflection on the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est un beau coup papa
It was a clever move, dad.
Merci beaucoup
Thank you very much.
On est dans l'coup papa
We're in on it, dad.
Et jusqu'au cou
And in deep.
Toi, tu t'envoies en l'air
You're taking off into the air.
Et nous voilà sur terre
And we're left here on earth.
Vous direz à mes filles quand elles auront quinze ans
You'll tell my daughters when they turn fifteen.
Qu'elles sont nées un jour, d'un éclat de printemps
That they were born one day, in the springtime.
Leur maman était belle et j'en avais envie
Their mother was beautiful and I desired her.
Mais le ciel m'est témoin que je n'ai rien promis
But the heavens bear witness that I made no promises.
De se méfier des hommes qui leur disent en chantant
To beware of men who sing them sweet words.
Des paroles d'argent pour atteindre leur cœur
Words of silver to win their hearts.
Et font en même temps le geste du semeur
While simultaneously making the sower's gesture.
Un coup de trop
One move too many.
Coucou et nous voilà
Here we are, just like that.
Année zéro
Year zero.
Toi tu as disparu
You disappeared.
Au premier coin de rue
At the first street corner.
Vous direz à mes filles si vous les rencontrez
You'll tell my daughters if you meet them.
De bien jouir de la vie que je leur ai donnée
To enjoy the life that I gave them.
De jouer à tous les jeux et surtout à l'amour
To play all the games, especially the game of love.
Et d'oublier demain pour le bonheur du jour
And to forget about tomorrow and focus on the happiness of today.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jacques Revaud, Michel Sardou, Pierre Delanoe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind