Patricia Kaas (born December 5, 1966 in Forbach, France) is a French singer… Read Full Bio ↴Patricia Kaas (born December 5, 1966 in Forbach, France) is a French singer. Kaas is one of the most successful French-speaking singers in the world. Stylistically her music is not classical chanson, but is closer to jazz, comparable with that of Lara Fabian. Since the appearance of her debut album Mademoiselle chante… in 1988 Kaas has sold more than 15 million records worldwide. She had her greatest success in Germany and Switzerland with her third album Je te dis vous, which reached 11th and 2nd place in the countries' charts respectively. A significant ingredient of her successful formula is her impressive stage presence; Kaas is almost constantly on tour internationally. In 2002 Kaas had her film debut in And now... Ladies and Gentlemen beside Jeremy Irons.
Kaas is currently on a world tour since the end of 2008 to promote her latest album kabaret. She represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia and finished 8th with the song et s'il fallait le faire. The song received positive reviews in several newspapers and polls and a clear majority of 62% of all voters in a questionnaire believed in her chances to win the competition.

Je Retiens Mon Souffle
Patricia Kaas Lyrics

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Je n'suis qu'une demoiselle sans balançoire
Les yeux au ciel, j'regarde filer les stars
Depuis nous deux, je n'écoute plus Mozart
A mon seul regret, tu peux me croire

L'amour, l'amitié, ça n'a rien à voir
Faudra un jour rattraper ce retard
Ce soir, j'aimerais bien la refaire, l'histoire

J'ai une envie claire de te revoir

J'ai couru pour venir me jeter contre toi
Je retiens mon souffle
J'ai couru pour venir, j'ai couru, me voilà
Je reprends mon souffle

Le temps qui passe a des reflets bizarres
Comme un glaçon dans la Marie Brizard
J'ai l'impression qu'on ma volé ma part
J'ai une envie folle de te revoir

J'ai couru pour venir me jeter contre toi
Je retiens mon souffle
J'ai couru pour venir, j'ai couru, me voilà
Je reprends mon souffle

Il doit bien exister, ce monde à part
Pour les comme nous, les amis qui s'égarent

J'étais ton p'tit diamant, ta perle rare
Dis, je brille encore dans ta mémoire

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Je Retiens Mon Souffle by Patricia Kaas are emotional and nostalgic. The lyrics show a woman who is looking back at her past love and wishing to relive those moments. The opening line, "Je n'suis qu'une demoiselle sans balançoire" translates to "I am just a girl without a swing" which can be interpreted as the lack of innocent joy and happiness she had before her love affair ended. She then mentions how she used to look at the stars while listening to Mozart, something she doesn't do anymore since her relationship ended.

The chorus, "J'ai couru pour venir me jeter contre toi, Je retiens mon souffle, J'ai couru pour venir, j'ai couru, me voilà, Je reprends mon souffle," describes her rush to get back to her loved one as she holds her breath in anticipation. The verse, "Le temps qui passe a des reflets bizarres, Comme un glaçon dans la Marie Brizard" translates to "The passing time has strange reflections, Like an ice cube in Marie Brizard," signifying that time has not been kind to her since their parting, creating a sense of sadness and longing.

The song expresses a plea to rekindle the forgotten love and to start anew again. While the song is in French, the emotions conveyed through the music and lyrics are universal and can be felt by anyone who has gone through such experiences.

Line by Line Meaning

Je n'suis qu'une demoiselle sans balançoire
I am just a girl without a swing, with nothing to hold on to.

Les yeux au ciel, j'regarde filer les stars
With my gaze fixed on the sky, I watch the stars pass by.

Depuis nous deux, je n'écoute plus Mozart
Since we parted, I no longer listen to Mozart.

A mon seul regret, tu peux me croire
Believe me, my only regret is losing you.

L'amour, l'amitié, ça n'a rien à voir
Love and friendship have nothing in common.

Faudra un jour rattraper ce retard
One day, we will have to catch up on lost time.

Ce soir, j'aimerais bien la refaire, l'histoire
Tonight, I would love to relive our story.

J'ai une envie claire de te revoir
I have a strong desire to see you again.

J'ai couru pour venir me jeter contre toi
I ran to throw myself at you.

Je retiens mon souffle
I hold my breath.

J'ai couru pour venir, j'ai couru, me voilà
I ran to get here, and here I am.

Je reprends mon souffle
I catch my breath.

Le temps qui passe a des reflets bizarres
Time passing has strange reflections.

Comme un glaçon dans la Marie Brizard
Like an ice cube in Marie Brizard.

J'ai l'impression qu'on ma volé ma part
I feel like someone has stolen my share.

J'ai une envie folle de te revoir
I have a wild desire to see you again.

Il doit bien exister, ce monde à part
There must be a special world for people like us.

Pour les comme nous, les amis qui s'égarent
For people like us, the friends who get lost.

J'étais ton p'tit diamant, ta perle rare
I was your little diamond, your rare pearl.

Dis, je brille encore dans ta mémoire
Tell me, do I still shine in your memory?

Lyrics © SM PUBLISHING FRANCE, SOC AMOURS DU DIMANCHE
Written by: FABRICE ABOULKER, MARC LAVOINE, PIERRE GRILLET

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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