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.
Selon que vous serez etc. etc.
Michel Sardou Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qui prend entre six mois, deux ans
Pour un désordre assez minable
Et ceux que la loi n'atteint pas
On a devant soi la justice
Et l'apparence de la justice
La nuance est indéfinissable
Ce qui est pris ne se rend pas
Etc. Etc.
Il y a la rumeur provinciale
Qui prend l'allure phénoménale
D'un drame humain considérable
Multiplié par les médias
Lorsque l'attaque et la défense
Se risquent au jeu de l'éloquence
Il faut des hommes irréprochables
Ou dans le doute on s'abstiendra
Selon que vous serez puissant ou misérable
Etc. Etc.
Sur le très vieux chemin du vice
Que les hommes ambitieux choisissent
On sait des montages incroyables
Des lingots d'or, des chèques en bois
Nous avons connu en France
De ces bons vendeurs d'indulgences
Qui ont ruiné le contribuable
Il y a des choses qu'on n'oublie pas
Selon que vous serez puissant ou misérable
Etc. Etc.
Mais ce qui n'a jamais tenu
C'est une République sans vertu
La Fontaine écrivit sa fable
Alors que nous avions un Roi
Selon que vous serez puissant ou misérable
Etc. Etc.
(Selon que vous serez puissant ou misérable)
(Etc. Etc.)
The song "Selon Que Vous Serez Etc Etc" by Michel Sardou is a reflection on the imbalanced justice system and the power dynamics that exist in society. The first verse describes the young man who gets punished for a minor offense while those who are not caught by the law continue to exercise their power. The lines "Selon que vous serez puissant ou misérable" (depending on whether you are powerful or miserable) are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the theme of inequality. The second verse talks about how the provincial rumor mill can turn a human drama into a massive media spectacle where justice is not always served. Here, Sardou calls for "irreproachable" men to be in charge; otherwise, it's better to err on the side of caution. The final verse talks about the "old road of vices" chosen by ambitious men and the fraudulent schemes they use to gain wealth and power. Sardou alludes to the "good sellers of indulgences" who have ruined France's taxpayers in the past. He concludes by saying that a Republic without virtue is ultimately doomed, referencing one of Jean de La Fontaine's fables that he wrote in the time of the monarchy.
Overall, the song's message is a profound reflection on social inequality and its consequences, calling for accountability and justice across all sectors of society. Sardou's use of literary allusions and rhetorical devices, such as repetition and rhetorical questions, adds to the song's powerful impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Je pense au jeune homme imprudent
I think of the reckless young man
Qui prend entre six mois, deux ans,
Who takes six months to two years
Pour un désordre assez minable
For a rather trivial disorder
Et ceux que la Loi n'atteint pas.
And those whom the Law does not reach.
On a devant soi la Justice
We have Justice in front of us
Et l'apparence de la justice.
And the appearance of justice.
La nuance est indéfinissable.
The nuance is indescribable.
Ce qui est pris ne se rend pas.
What is taken is not returned.
Il y a la rumeur provinciale
There is provincial rumour
Qui prend l'allure phénoménale
Taking on a phenomenal appearance
D'un drame humain considérable
Of a considerable human drama
Multiplié par les médias
Multiplied by the media
Lorsque l'attaque et la défense
When the attack and the defense
Se risquent au jeu de l'éloquence,
Venture into the game of eloquence,
Il faut des hommes irréprochables
Men of irreproachable character are needed
Ou dans le doute on s'abstiendra.
Or in doubt, one will abstain.
Sur le très vieux chemin du vice
On the very old path of vice
Que les hommes ambitieux choisissent,
That ambitious men choose
On sait des montages incroyables
We know of incredible schemes
Des lingots d'or des chèques en bois.
Gold bars and wooden cheques.
Nous avons connu en France
We have known in France
De ces bons vendeurs d'indulgences
Of these good sellers of indulgences
Qui ont ruiné le contribuable
Who have ruined the taxpayer
Il y a des choses qu'on n'oublie pas.
There are things that we do not forget.
Mais ce qui n'a jamais tenu,
But what has never held,
C'est une République sans vertu.
Is a Republic without virtue.
La Fontaine écrivit sa fable
La Fontaine wrote his fable
Alors que nous avions un Roi
When we had a King
Selon que vous serez puissant ou misérable,
According to whether you are powerful or miserable,
Etc. etc.
Etc. etc.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jean-Pierre Bourtayre, Michel Sardou
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christele Chesneau
C'est ça Sardou. La force tranquille, un diamant dans la voix et un respect immense pour son public. Il n'a rien changé à ses valeurs engagées. On t'aime Michel.
Bernard Cros
La vérité dans toutes ses chansons, un grand interprète, bravo Michel.
bruno tavernier
une chanson incroyablement d'actualité en 2023.!!!!
Gérard Theron
Chanson toujours plus vraie !!!!!!!!! Un très grand merci à Michel Sardou !!!!!!
Ian Moro
Sardou dans sa meilleure époque,le look, le charisme ,la voix ,bref un monstre de le "vraie" chanson Française! merci Michel!
claudine assier
Quelle belle chanson et quel visionnaire et cette voix magnifique et qui restera à jamais, bon anniversaire Michel
mat mat
Paroles puissantes, musique parfaite comme d'habitude tout ce qu'on aime avec Michel 😚
Marie Laure Attis
Très forte et directe qui va bien au monde entier et les gouvernements de partout. La pure vérité sans masque J’adore Sardou.Merci
Ches Pier
Chanson d'un précurseur , rien n'a changé , hélas ! Michel Sardou a toujours été près de l'humain . Merci Michel
Agnes CABOUSSIN
Précurseur non car jean de la fontaine en 1678 a écrit dans les animaux malade de la peste: « selon que vous serez puissants ou misérable les jugements de cour vous rendrons blanc ou noir »