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.
Tu Es Pierre
Michel Sardou Lyrics
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Sur les bords du lac de Tibériade,
Dans les années 30 de l'ère chrétienne.
C'était au printemps le grand jour de l'ouverture.
Pierre surveillait son bouchon.
Pas le moindre espoir de la plus maigre friture,
Pas plus d'ablette que de goujon.
Quand il aperçut, aux alentours de midi,
Un genre de prophète, un Messie,
Qui lui dit qui lui dit qui lui dit oh :
Tu es Pierre.
C'est sur toi que je bâtirai la terre.
Tu dois sauver tes frères.
Tu es Pierre.
Salue ton père et va faire ta valise.
Sur toi je rebâtirai mon église.
Moi j'aime mon boulot, ma famille et mes copains.
Je n'peux pas m'en aller comme ça.
J'aurais l'air de quoi, de partir sur les chemins
Pour chanter des alléluia ?
"Fais ce qu'on te dit", lui répondit le Messie,
"Et n'oublie pas qu'au Paradis
C'est écrit c'est écrit c'est écrit oh "
Tu es Pierre
C'est sur toi que je bâtirai la terre
Tu dois sauver tes frères
Tu es Pierre
Salue ton père et va faire ta valise
Sur toi je rebâtirai mon église
Tu es Pierre.
C'est sur toi que je bâtirai la terre.
Tu dois sauver tes frères.
The song "Tu Es Pierre" by Michel Sardou tells the story of Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, and how he was chosen by Jesus to be the foundation of the Christian church. The lyrics start by setting the stage of the story, imagining that it could have taken place by the shores of Lake Tiberias during the 1930s. The main character, Peter, is introduced as someone who is fishing and having no luck catching anything.
Then, Jesus appears, described as a "prophet, a Messiah" who tells Peter that he is the one on whom he will build his church. This revelation is a turning point in Peter's life, but he is hesitant at first, as he thinks he cannot leave his family, friends and job. However, Jesus encourages him to follow his calling and fulfill his destiny, reminding him that he is the chosen one and that he must save his brothers.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the importance of Peter's role as the chosen one who will build the church and save his brothers. The lyrics of "Tu Es Pierre" convey a message of faith, courage, and purpose, inspiring listeners to follow their calling and make a difference in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Cette histoire aurait pu se passer Sur les bords du lac de Tibériade Dans les années 30 de l'ère chrétienne.
This story could have taken place in the 30s AD at Lake Tiberias.
C'était au printemps le grand jour de l'ouverture. Pierre surveillait son bouchon. Pas le moindre espoir de la plus maigre friture, Pas plus d'ablette que de goujon.
It was spring and the opening day of fishing season. Pierre was watching his float, but with no hope of catching anything, not even a small fish.
Quand il aperçut, aux alentours de midi, Un genre de prophète, un Messie, Qui lui dit qui lui dit qui lui dit oh : Tu es Pierre.
Around noon, he saw a kind of prophet, a Messiah, who spoke to him and said: You are Peter.
C'est sur toi que je bâtirai la terre. Tu dois sauver tes frères. Tu es Pierre. Salue ton père et va faire ta valise. Sur toi je rebâtirai mon église.
I will build the earth on you. You must save your brothers. You are Peter. Say goodbye to your father and pack your bags. I will rebuild my church upon you.
Moi j'aime mon boulot, ma famille et mes copains. Je n'peux pas m'en aller comme ça. J'aurais l'air de quoi, de partir sur les chemins Pour chanter des alléluia ?
I love my job, my family, and my friends. I can't just leave like that. What would I look like if I went out singing hallelujah on the road?
"Fais ce qu'on te dit", lui répondit le Messie, "Et n'oublie pas qu'au Paradis C'est écrit c'est écrit c'est écrit oh "
"Do as you're told," replied the Messiah, "And don't forget that in Heaven it's written, it's written, it's written, oh"
Tu es Pierre. C'est sur toi que je bâtirai la terre Tu dois sauver tes frères Tu es Pierre Salue ton père et va faire ta valise Sur toi je rebâtirai mon église
You are Peter. I will build the earth on you. You must save your brothers. You are Peter. Say goodbye to your father and pack your bags. I will rebuild my church upon you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JACQUES ABEL JULES REVAUD, MICHEL CHARLES SARDOU, PIERRE DELANOE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind