Although Bruel aspired to be a football star as a youth, he decided to pursue singing after seeing Michel Sardou in 1975. His first success came as an actor, however, in 1979's Le Coup de sirocco. He continued acting in films, on television and in the theater while pursuing his singing career. His first single, "Vide" ("Empty"), released in 1982, was not a success, but the follow up, "Marre de cette nana-là" ("Fed up with that chick"), was a hit.
In 2003, he had his last name officially changed to Bruel-Benguigui, his stage name with his birthname, before his partner Amanda Maruani gave birth to his first child, Oscar, on August 19. On September 21, 2004, he wed the 24-year-old Maruani; it is his first marriage. His second child, Léon Bruel was born on the 28th September, 2005.
As of 2004 Bruel has acted in more than 40 different television and film productions and made five studio albums and several live albums. His last album to date is Entre Deux (2002), a double CD of classic chanson that features duets with Charles Aznavour, Jean-Louis Aubert, Jean-Jacques Goldman, Alain Souchon and Renaud, among others. It sold two million copies and made Bruel France's best paid singer of the year. At the beginning of 2005, in response to the South Asian tsunami of December 26, 2004, Bruel wrote the song "Et puis la terre" to benefit the Red Cross.
À mon ami Alfred T
Patrick Bruel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tu m'es resté fidèle où tant d'autres m'ont fui.
Le bonheur m'a prêté plus d'un lien fragile
Mais c'est l'adversité qui m'a fait un ami.
C'est ainsi que les fleurs sur les coteaux fertiles
Étalent au soleil leur vulgaire trésor
Mais c'est au sein des nuits, sous des rochers stériles,
C'est ainsi que les mers calmes et sans orages
Peuvent d'un flot d'azur bercer le voyageur
Mais c'est le vent du nord, c'est le vent des naufrages
Qui jette sur la rive une perle au pêcheur.
Maintenant Dieu me garde! Où vais-je? Eh! que m'importe?
Quels que soient mes destins, je dis comme Byron
"L’océan peut gronder, il faudra qu'il me porte."
Si mon coursier s'abat, j'y mettrai l'éperon.
Mais du moins j'aurai pu, frère, quoi qu'il m'arrive,
De mon cachet de deuil sceller notre amitié,
Et, que demain je meure ou que demain je vive,
Pendant que mon cœur bat, t'en donner la moitié.
The song "A mon ami Alfred T." by Patrick Bruel is a tribute to the singer's friendship with his friend Alfred, who stood by him during his darkest days. Bruel reflects on the transient nature of happiness, and how adversity has been the vehicle through which he has found meaning in his relationships. In the chorus, he sings about how the miner searches for gold in barren rocks, and how the fisherman finds his most precious pearls in the roughest seas. This is to say that true friendships are forged in the face of hardship, and that it is in those moments that one discovers the real value of his relationships.
The lyrics then shift from reflecting on the past to the present, as Bruel ponders where his life is headed. He seems to be uncertain about his future, yet he maintains an unyielding faith in destiny, likening himself to the poet Byron who wrote: "The ocean may roar, it must bear me along." Even in the face of uncertainty, Bruel is resolute in his determination to forge ahead, to put his faith in the future, and to remain loyal to his friend Alfred, whether he lives or dies.
Overall, the song is a poignant plea for the enduring value of friendship, and a reminder that it is in the most difficult moments of life that one discovers the true nature of those who stand by them.
Line by Line Meaning
Dans mes jours de malheur, Alfred, seul entre mille,
Tu m'es resté fidèle où tant d'autres m'ont fui.
During my days of misfortune, Alfred, you remained faithful to me when so many others abandoned me.
Le bonheur m'a prêté plus d'un lien fragile
Mais c'est l'adversité qui m'a fait un ami.
Happiness has given me many fragile connections, but adversity has brought me a true friend.
C'est ainsi que les fleurs sur les coteaux fertiles
Étalent au soleil leur vulgaire trésor
Mais c'est au sein des nuits, sous des rochers stériles,
Que fouille le mineur qui cherche un rayon d'or.
Just as flowers on fertile hills show their ordinary treasure in the sun, the miner digs in barren rocks at night searching for a ray of gold.
C'est ainsi que les mers calmes et sans orages
Peuvent d'un flot d'azur bercer le voyageur
Mais c'est le vent du nord, c'est le vent des naufrages
Qui jette sur la rive une perle au pêcheur.
Just as calm, untroubled seas can lull a voyager with blue waves, it is the northern wind, the wind of shipwrecks, that brings a pearl to the fisherman on the shore.
Maintenant Dieu me garde! Où vais-je? Eh! que m'importe?
Quels que soient mes destins, je dis comme Byron
"L’océan peut gronder, il faudra qu'il me porte."
Si mon coursier s'abat, j'y mettrai l'éperon.
Now may God protect me! Where am I going? What does it matter? Whatever my destiny, I say as Byron did, "The ocean may roar, but it must carry me." If my horse falls, I will spur it on.
Mais du moins j'aurai pu, frère, quoi qu'il m'arrive,
De mon cachet de deuil sceller notre amitié,
Et, que demain je meure ou que demain je vive,
Pendant que mon cœur bat, t'en donner la moitié.
But at least I have been able, my brother, whatever happens to me, to seal our friendship with my seal of mourning. And whether I die tomorrow or live tomorrow, while my heart beats, I will give you half of it.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sandra Chiarlone
Vraiment très émouvant mais aussi très touchant merci à toi 😘❤
Marie Anne Le Baut
Merci Patrick magnifique ta chanson j adore bise.
Nancy patrick Bruel Mendez
J adore beaucoup cette chanson merci Patrick Bruel a toi est je te remercie tellement béaucoup Patrick Bruel cette magnifique chanson est texte manifique chanson française est le voyage aussi maintenant dieu me protéger a moi est merci à toi et personne peux me protéger a part ma famille et j ai pas de moitié
Nancy mendez et Nancy Patrick bruel mendez 🎸
Cette chanson sais pour sont amie afred t sais un amie très cher pour toi et pour lui aussi est sais très touchant et émotion est très émouvant ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ sais un très belle chanson est homange à ton ami afred t
nonodauren renaud
mon prénom et meggy je vous aime tant monsieur bruel a tout a l'heur
Alyssia Foldyna
J aime un peu