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.
Tes gestes
Serge Reggiani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tes gestes me désarment
Ta main dans tes cheveux
Ou qui sèche une larme
Tu mêles savamment
L'innocence et le charme
Ta jupe de quinze ans
Et tes jambes de femmeTes bras encore si frêles
Deviennent rassurants
Quand tu donnes à l′enfant
Ta douceur maternelle
Dis-moi qui t'a appris
A effleurer ma bouche
Toi qui suces ton pouce
Quand tu es endormie
Plus belle qu'une ondine
Quand tu sors de ton bain
Tu caches ta poitrine
Dans la paume des mains
Des hanches insolentes
A chaque mouvement
Une bouche gourmande
Et des yeux innocents
Le soleil apprivoise
Ton corps à contre-jour
Et trouble les contours
De ton ombre chinoise
Dis-moi qui t′a appris
A effleurer ma bouche
Toi qui suces ton pouceQuand tu es endormie
Comme une adolescente
A son premier désir
Experte et maladroite
Offerte à ton plaisir
Tu es en même temps
Princesse et courtisane
Une fille, une femme
Et la mère et l′enfant
Je te regarde vivre
Et tu me donnes vie
Tes gestes me délivrent
De tout ce que je suis
Dis-moi qui t'a appris
A effleurer ma bouche
Toi qui suces ton pouce
Quand tu es endormie
In the song "Tes gestes" by Serge Reggiani, the lyrics evoke a sense of tenderness and vulnerability in the singer's perception of the object of their affection. The opening lines "Plus tendres qu’un aveu, Tes gestes me désarment" convey a feeling of being disarmed by the gentle and intimate gestures of the person being described. The image of a hand in the hair or wiping away a tear showcases a delicate mix of innocence and charm that captivates the singer.
The lyrics go on to describe the duality of the person's nature - the youthful innocence evoked by a fifteen-year-old skirt paired with the maturity and allure of a woman's legs. This contrast is further emphasized by the juxtaposition of fragile arms that provide comfort and reassurance, particularly in moments of tenderness towards a child. There is a sense of admiration for the nurturing qualities exhibited by the person, blending maternal softness with feminine grace.
The second verse delves deeper into the physical allure of the individual, painting a picture of beauty and sensuality. References to a hidden bosom and provocative hips highlight the allure of the person, while their movements and gestures exude a mix of desire and purity. The imagery of the sun casting shadows on their body adds a layer of mystery and enchantment, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the complexity of the person's identity – a blend of adolescence, maturity, seduction, and innocence. The individual is portrayed as both a princess and a seductress, embodying multiple roles simultaneously. The singer finds solace and a sense of renewal in observing the person's actions and presence, feeling liberated from their own constraints through the gestures and aura of the person they admire.
The recurring refrain in the song, "Dis-moi qui t'a appris A effleurer ma bouche Toi qui suces ton pouce Quand tu es endormie," signals a yearning for understanding and connection. The act of touching the singer's mouth and sucking their thumb in sleep symbolizes a deep intimacy and vulnerability that transcends words. Overall, the lyrics of "Tes gestes" explore themes of love, longing, admiration, and the transformative power of intimate gestures in shaping relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Plus tendres qu′un aveu
Your gestures are more tender than a confession
Tes gestes me désarment
Your gestures disarm me
Ta main dans tes cheveux
Your hand in your hair
Ou qui sèche une larme
Or drying a tear
Tu mêles savamment
You skillfully mix
L'innocence et le charme
Innocence and charm
Ta jupe de quinze ans
Your fifteen-year-old skirt
Et tes jambes de femme
And your woman's legs
Tes bras encore si frêles
Your arms still so frail
Deviennent rassurants
Become reassuring
Quand tu donnes à l′enfant
When you give to the child
Ta douceur maternelle
Your maternal tenderness
Dis-moi qui t'a appris
Tell me who taught you
A effleurer ma bouche
To brush my mouth
Toi qui suces ton pouce
You who suck your thumb
Quand tu es endormie
When you are asleep
Plus belle qu'une ondine
More beautiful than a water sprite
Quand tu sors de ton bain
When you get out of your bath
Tu caches ta poitrine
You hide your chest
Dans la paume des mains
In the palms of your hands
Des hanches insolentes
Provocative hips
A chaque mouvement
With every movement
Une bouche gourmande
A greedy mouth
Et des yeux innocents
And innocent eyes
Le soleil apprivoise
The sun tames
Ton corps à contre-jour
Your body in backlight
Et trouble les contours
And blurs the outlines
De ton ombre chinoise
Of your Chinese shadow
Comme une adolescente
Like a teenager
A son premier désir
At her first desire
Experte et maladroite
Skilled and clumsy
Offerte à ton plaisir
Offered to your pleasure
Tu es en même temps
You are at the same time
Princesse et courtisane
Princess and courtesan
Une fille, une femme
A girl, a woman
Et la mère et l′enfant
And the mother and the child
Je te regarde vivre
I watch you live
Et tu me donnes vie
And you give me life
Tes gestes me délivrent
Your gestures free me
De tout ce que je suis
From all that I am
Writer(s): Moustaki Georges
Contributed by Jack L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@chantalwagner3058
Très belles chansons 🥰
@MYNAMEISIQ
لو كان حباً يا سيرجي لإستمر . لكنك الاغنية التي لا يجب أن تنتهي.
@xchicuicatl.
ميت هو ذلك الذي لايسمح لنفسه ولو مرة واحدة في حياته ان يستمع لهذا المغني العظيم.
@mustaphafoussi5826
Merci pour cette belle version de la chanson de Moustaki
@vincentsabourin
Quel chanson magnifique en souvenir de mon premier amour!
@RogerDubost
Sweet memories 🥰
@marcgustin1759
une tres belle chanson je decouvre !!!merci a lui