Sarstedt is probably best known for his 1969, UK number one hit, "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" about a poor-born girl who becomes a member of the jet-set. The song was awarded the 1969 Ivor Novello Award, (together with David Bowie's "Space Oddity"). Other Sarstedt songs include "Beirut", "Take Off Your Clothes" and "Frozen Orange Juice" (UK #10 in 1969). In the 1980s & 90's he frequently toured the UK as part of the "Solid Silver 60's" package tours.
Most recently, his biggest hit "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" was featured in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited and its prologue Hotel Chevalier.
Sarstedt also appeared on Peter Thompson's 2007 album "Taking a Dive (Heart First)" singing harmony on "Last Thing on My Mind" and "Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)".
Source: Peter Thompson
where do you go
Peter Sarstedt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire
Your clothes are all made by Balmain
And there's diamonds and pearls in your hair, yes there are
You live in a fancy apartment
Off the Boulevard St. Michel
Where you keep your Rolling Stones records
You go to the embassy parties
Where you talk in Russian and Greek
And the young men who move in your circles
They hang on every word you speak, yes they do
But where do you go to my lovely
When you're alone in your bed?
Tell me the thoughts that surround you
I want to look inside your head, yes I do
I've seen all your qualifications
You got from the Sorbonne
And the painting you stole from Picasso
Your loveliness goes on and on, yes it does
When you go on your summer vacation
You go to Juan-les-Pins
With your carefully designed topless swimsuit
You get an even suntan on your back, and on your legs
And when the snow falls you're found in St. Moritz
With the others of the jet set
And you sip your Napoleon brandy
But you never get your lips wet, no you don't
But where do you go to my lovely
When you're alone in your bed?
Won't you tell me the thoughts that surround you?
I want to look inside your head, yes I do
You're in between twenty and thirty
That's a very desirable age
Your body is firm and inviting
But you live on a glittering stage, yes you do, yes you do
Your name is heard in high places
You know the Aga Khan
He sent you a race horse for Christmas
And you keep it just for fun, for a laugh, ha-ha-ha
They say that when you get married
It'll be to a millionaire
But they don't realize where you came from
And I wonder if they really care, or give a damn
But where do you go to my lovely
When you're alone in your bed?
Tell me the thoughts that surround you
I want to look inside your head, yes I do
I remember the back streets of Naples:
Two children begging in rags
Both touched with a burning ambition
To shake off their lowly-born tags, they tried
So look into my face, Marie-Claire
And remember just who you are
Then go and forget me forever
But I know you still bear the scar, deep inside
I know where you go to my lovely
When you're alone in your bed
I know the thoughts that surround you
Cause I can look inside your head
The lyrics of Peter Sarstedt's "Where Do You Go to My Lovely" tell the story of a woman of high society whose luxurious lifestyle and connections with influential people are contrasted with her past and inner thoughts. The singer describes the woman's extravagant possessions, her fondness for high-end brands like Balmain, and her attendance at embassy parties where she effortlessly speaks in different languages. However, the song also hints at her loneliness and inner turmoil when she is alone in her bed at night.
The song's narrator tries to go beyond the surface of the woman's life and enter into her mind. He marvels at her intellect and academic qualifications from Sorbonne and the beauty of her stolen Picasso painting. He also notes her preference for sunny places like Juan-les-Pins, where she can sunbathe comfortably in her "topless swimsuit." The singer muses on her lack of romantic relationships or memorable experiences that come with her privileged lifestyle.
Towards the end of the song, the singer addresses the woman by name, Marie-Claire, and tries to make her remember who she is beyond her material possessions and social status. He goes on to say that he knows where she goes when she is alone in her bed and knows the thoughts that surround her.
In summary, "Where Do You Go to My Lovely" is a song that paints a picture of an elegant woman living in luxury with deep-seated emotional pain.
Line by Line Meaning
You talk like Marlene Dietrich
You have a very distinct and sultry way of speaking, similar to the iconic actress Marlene Dietrich.
And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire
Your dancing is graceful and captivating, like that of the renowned dancer Zizi Jeanmaire.
Your clothes are all made by Balmain
You exclusively wear expensive, luxurious clothing made by the French fashion house Balmain.
And there's diamonds and pearls in your hair, yes there are
You adorn your hair with precious gems like diamonds and pearls, emphasizing your wealth and extravagance.
You live in a fancy apartment
You reside in a lavish apartment, exemplifying your high standard of living.
Off the Boulevard St. Michel
Your apartment is located on the famous Boulevard St. Michel in Paris.
Where you keep your Rolling Stones records
You have a taste for rock music and keep records from the famous English rock band, The Rolling Stones.
And a friend of Sacha Distel, yes you do
You are acquainted with Sacha Distel, a famous French jazz guitarist.
You go to the embassy parties
You attend parties held at embassies of foreign countries.
Where you talk in Russian and Greek
You are fluent in several languages, including Russian and Greek.
And the young men who move in your circles
You socialize with young men who are also wealthy and glamorous.
They hang on every word you speak, yes they do
The men around you are completely captivated by you and eagerly listen to everything you say.
But where do you go to my lovely
When you're alone in your bed?
I wonder where you go in your mind when you're alone and unguarded in the privacy of your own room.
Tell me the thoughts that surround you
I want to know what is going through your head when you’re alone.
I want to look inside your head, yes I do
I am genuinely interested in you and what makes you tick, in spite of your social status and lifestyle.
I've seen all your qualifications
You got from the Sorbonne
I am aware that you hold high qualifications that you have acquired from the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris.
And the painting you stole from Picasso
I know you stole a painting from the famous artist Pablo Picasso, exhibiting your boldness and disregard for rules.
Your loveliness goes on and on, yes it does
Despite your flaws and mistakes, your beauty and charisma remain very powerful and impactful.
When you go on your summer vacation
During your leisure time in the summer months,
You go to Juan-les-Pins
You frequent the popular resort town of Juan-les-Pins on the French Riviera.
With your carefully designed topless swimsuit
You wear a fashionable swimsuit designed to show off your body, while still being tasteful and high-class.
You get an even suntan on your back, and on your legs
You are careful to ensure that your whole body is evenly tanned when you sunbath, paying attention to your back and legs.
And when the snow falls you're found in St. Moritz
With the others of the jet set
You travel to the fashionable ski resort of St. Moritz in Switzerland, rubbing shoulders with other wealthy and elite people.
And you sip your Napoleon brandy
You drink high-quality and expensive brandy, such as Napoleon brandy, suitable for your lavish lifestyle.
But you never get your lips wet, no you don't
You never actually drink the brandy, instead, you simply hold the glass, playing a part and feeling sophisticated.
You're in between twenty and thirty
You are currently in the prime of your life, aged between twenty and thirty years old.
That's a very desirable age
You recognize that your age is highly sought after by many people and tend to attract more attention during this period in your life.
Your body is firm and inviting
You have a young, attractive and sensuous body, which is hard for some people to resist.
But you live on a glittering stage, yes you do, yes you do
You live a flashy and luxurious lifestyle, always in the spotlight, surrounded by expensive things and stylish people.
Your name is heard in high places
People in high positions and with high status commonly speak your name.
You know the Aga Khan
You have a personal relationship with the Aga Khan, a highly respected and wealthy Islamic religious leader.
He sent you a racehorse for Christmas
The Aga Khan gifted you a thoroughbred horse for Christmas, indicative of his admiration for you and your lifestyle.
And you keep it just for fun, for a laugh, ha-ha-ha
You keep the horse simply for enjoyment and fun, a lighthearted and frivolous indulgence.
They say that when you get married
Rumors are circulating that you will be married soon.
It'll be to a millionaire
It’s highly likely that you will marry a millionaire or someone who is extremely rich.
But they don't realize where you came from
People fail to recognize your humble background and the journey you’ve undergone to attain your current status.
And I wonder if they really care, or give a damn
I am unsure whether others genuinely care about you and your past, or if they are only interested in your wealth and reputation.
I remember the back streets of Naples:
I recall the less affluent areas of Naples, where struggles to make ends meet are common.
Two children begging in rags
I saw two children, poorly dressed and begging for money.
Both touched with a burning ambition
To shake off their lowly-born tags, they tried
Despite their modest background, the children were filled with a deep desire to better their lives and elevate their social status.
So look into my face, Marie-Claire
Direct your attention to me, Marie-Claire, the woman addressed in this song.
And remember just who you are
Reflect on who you truly are and where you came from, despite your current glamorous lifestyle.
Then go and forget me forever
After reflecting, be free to move on from our past, relationship and memories of me.
But I know you still bear the scar, deep inside
Despite your attempts to move, you cannot escape the pain and memories that continue to hurt you
I know where you go to my lovely
When you're alone in your bed
I understand where your mind wanders when you have the freedom to be honest and vulnerable to yourself when you're truly alone.
I know the thoughts that surround you
I recognize what you’re thinking about when you let yourself be vulnerable in your private moments
Cause I can look inside your head
Due to knowing you in a way that most people don't, I can sense and foresee what you’re thinking about and dealin with.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER SARSTEDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimserlippens6822
Who's here in 2024? Wishing all your dreams come true ❤
@83rono
Never left!
@josephclift3662
Me
@Quimquat
🫂 hugs! We made it through!
@amygill5554
Still here never left ither ❤
@seasmacfarlane6418
Thank you❤
@mehulshelat2917
Lyrics...from the heart...superbly sung...it's 2024 and I still love every word of this song..
@lindagatti7796
So much beautiful music from the 60's. ❤
@paulpearson4283
This has always been one of my favourites and yes I did watch this on top of the pops in 1969. I'm now approaching 71 and am in Paris for the first time. Yesterday I walked along the Boulevard Saint Michel and remembered this beautiful song.
@paulfrewzy7374
Wow Sounds Fab
hope yi see 100 n something buddy