After acting school he was discovered by Jean Cocteau and appeared in a wartime production of Les parents terribles ("The Terrible Parents"). His first feature film came in 1946 with his role in Les portes de la nuit ("The Doors of the Night"). He later went on to perform in 80 films including The Pianist (1998).
In 1965 he began a second career as a singer, with the help of Simone Signoret and her husband Yves Montand. Reggiani became one of the most acclaimed performers of French "Chanson" ("song") and although he was in his 40s, his bad-boy image made him popular with both young and older listeners. His best known songs include "Les loups sont entres dans Paris" ("The Wolves Have Entered Paris") and "La femme qui est dans mon lit." ("The Woman Who Is In My Bed").
In later life he became a painter and gave a number of exhibitions of his artwork.
Serge Reggiani died of a heart attack at the age of 82, one day after the death of another well known French singer Sacha Distel. He is interred in the Cimetière du Montparnasse.
L'italien
Serge Reggiani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un
Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'une
D'ici j'entends le chien
Et si tu n'es pas morte
Ouvre-moi sans rancune
Je rentre un peu tard je sais
18 ans de retard c'est vrai
Dans une rue du Massachussetts
Il est fatiguant le voyage
Pour un enfant de mon âge
Ouvre-moi, ouvre-moi la porte
Io non ne posso proprio più
Se ci sei, aprimi la porta
Non sai come è stato laggiù
Je reviens au logis
J'ai fais tous les métiers
Voleur, équilibriste
Maréchal des logis
Comédien, braconnier
Empereur et pianiste
J'ai connu des femmes, oui mais
Je joue bien mal aux dames, tu sais
Du temps que j'étais chercheur d'or
Elles m'ont tout pris, j'en pleure encore
Là-dessus le temps est passé
Quand j'avais le dos tourné
Ouvre-moi, ouvre-moi la porte
Io non ne posso proprio più
Se ci sei, aprimi la porta
Diro come è stato laggiù
C'est moi, c'est l'Italien
Je reviens de si loin
La route était mauvaise
Et tant d'années après
Tant de chagrins après
Je rêve d'une chaise
Ouvre, tu es là, je sais
Je suis tellement las, tu sais
Il ne me reste qu'une chance
C'est que tu n'aies pas eu ta chance
Mais ce n'est plus le même chien
Et la lumière s'éteint
Ouvrez-moi, ouvrez une porte
Io non ne posso proprio più
Se ci siete, aprite una porta
Diro come è stato laggiù.
The song "L'italien" by Serge Reggiani tells the story of an Italian man returning home after being away for 18 years. The song starts with the man calling out to see if anyone is there and asking for forgiveness for coming home very late. The man tells of all the different jobs he has had along his journey, including being a thief, tightrope walker, sergeant, actor, poacher, emperor, and pianist. He also mentions the women he has known but admits he's not good at playing games with them. The man also shares about his time as a gold seeker, only to have everything taken from him by the women. Despite all of the hardships he has faced, the Italian man still holds onto hope that someone will open the door for him.
The song's mood conveys sadness and weariness as the man has faced difficulties and is now seeking a place to rest. The lyrics tell the story of a man searching for a place to belong again and his longing for forgiveness and acceptance. The song's repetitious plea for someone to open the door for him captures the desperation and vulnerability of the man's situation. Overall, the song paints a picture of a man who has faced many challenges along his journey and just wants to be welcomed home.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est moi, c'est l'Italien
It's me, the Italian
Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un
Is there anyone there?
Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'une
Is there anyone there?
D'ici j'entends le chien
From here I can hear the dog
Et si tu n'es pas morte
And if you're not dead
Ouvre-moi sans rancune
Open up without resentment
Je rentre un peu tard je sais
I know I'm coming home a little late
18 ans de retard c'est vrai
It's true that I'm 18 years late
Mais j'ai trouvé mes allumettes
But I found my matches
Dans une rue du Massachussetts
On a street in Massachusetts
Il est fatiguant le voyage
The journey is tiring
Pour un enfant de mon âge
For a child of my age
Io non ne posso proprio più
I can't take it anymore
Se ci sei, aprimi la porta
If you're there, open the door for me
Non sai come è stato laggiù
You don't know how it was over there
Je reviens au logis
I'm coming back home
J'ai fais tous les métiers
I've done all the jobs
Voleur, équilibriste
Robber, acrobat
Maréchal des logis
Sergeant
Comédien, braconnier
Actor, poacher
Empereur et pianiste
Emperor and pianist
J'ai connu des femmes, oui mais
I've known women, but
Je joue bien mal aux dames, tu sais
I'm not good at playing games with women, you know
Du temps que j'étais chercheur d'or
When I was a gold prospector
Elles m'ont tout pris, j'en pleure encore
They took everything from me, I'm still crying about it
Là-dessus le temps est passé
Time has passed since then
Quand j'avais le dos tourné
When my back was turned
Je reviens de si loin
I've come back from so far away
La route était mauvaise
The road was bad
Et tant d'années après
And so many years later
Tant de chagrins après
So many sorrows later
Je rêve d'une chaise
I dream of a chair
Ouvre, tu es là, je sais
Open up, I know you're there
Je suis tellement las, tu sais
I'm so tired, you know
Il ne me reste qu'une chance
I only have one chance left
C'est que tu n'aies pas eu ta chance
It's that you haven't had your chance yet
Mais ce n'est plus le même chien
But it's not the same dog anymore
Et la lumière s'éteint
And the light goes out
Ouvrez-moi, ouvrez une porte
Open up for me, open a door
Diro come è stato laggiù
I'll tell you how it was over there
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SIDONIE
Written by: Jacques DATIN, Jean-Loup DABADIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kellypatricia3800
Papa a été inhumé aujourd’hui le 23 novembre 2023. C’est la chanson de Reggiani qui a été choisie pour ses obsèques. Ça lui ressemble tellement. 💔🖤
@beautilfuldoveonearth5447
😢😢😢😢😢😢
@beautilfuldoveonearth5447
Condolences
@fabreclaude9784
Condoléances
@caroledelanne4041
Condoléances 😢
@mkmika7110
Toutes mes condoléances.... Courage... C'est une chanson magnifique... 😍
@musicadicuore
Serge Reggiani aurait eu 100 ans aujourd'hui. Bon anniversaire, Monsieur! La porte de nos cœurs est toujours ouverte pour vous.
@jean-clauderobert8584
Merci
J aime sa voix et le voir en tant qu acteur
@sandrinebonjour389
Merci. Je l'écoute encore et l'écouterai toujours
Il suffirait de presque rien...ma préférée
@sergeeon6180
Sur et certain !
Sûre et certaine,
À toi l'italien de nos cœurs.
❤️💋❤️