I've Seen That Face Before
Stéphane Pompougnac Lyrics


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Strange, I've seen that face before,
Seen him hanging 'round my door,
Like a hawk stealing for the prey,
Like the night waiting for the day,

Strange, he shadows me back home,
Footsteps echo on the stones,
Rainy nights, on Hausmann Boulevard,
Parisian music, drifting from the bars,

Tu cherches quoi, rencontrer la mort,
Tu te prends pour qui, toi aussi tu detestes la vie,

Dance in bars and restaurants,
Home with anyone who wants,
Strange he's standing there alone,
Staring eyes chill me to the bone

Dans sa chambre, Joel et sa valise,
un regard sur ses fringues,
Sur les murs, des photos,




Sans regret, sans mélo,
La porte est claquée, Joel est barré

Overall Meaning

The song "I've Seen That Face Before" by Stéphane Pompougnac is a haunting and mysterious track that has captivated audiences with its unique blend of French and English lyrics. As the song begins with the line "Strange, I've seen that face before," the listener is immediately drawn into a swirling narrative filled with dark imagery and foreboding themes. The singer describes seeing a man who seems to be stalking her, hanging around her door like a hawk waiting for prey. As she makes her way home, she hears his footsteps echoing on the stones, and as she looks into his staring eyes, she feels a chill run down her spine.


The chorus of the song features lyrics in French, adding to the enigmatic atmosphere of the track. The phrase "Tu cherches quoi, rencontrer la mort" translates to "What are you looking for, to meet death?" and "Tu te prends pour qui, toi aussi tu detestes la vie" roughly means "Who do you think you are, hating life like everyone else?" These lines add to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding the character the singer is describing.


As the song progresses, the lyrics become even more cryptic. The singer describes dancing in bars and restaurants and going home with anyone who wants her. The man she has seen before is always there, standing alone and staring at her with his chill-inducing gaze. The final lines of the song paint a picture of a man named Joel, who has locked himself in his room, packed his bags, and left without a word.


Line by Line Meaning

Strange, I've seen that face before,
I find it peculiar that I recognize that person's face


Seen him hanging 'round my door,
I have observed them loitering around my entrance


Like a hawk stealing for the prey,
They resemble a hawk stealthily hunting for its meal


Like the night waiting for the day,
They remind me of the night anticipating the break of dawn


Strange, he shadows me back home,
It is odd that they follow me back to my residence


Footsteps echo on the stones,
The sound of their footsteps reverberates on the pavement


Rainy nights, on Hausmann Boulevard,
It occurs during rainy evenings on Hausmann Boulevard


Parisian music, drifting from the bars,
The background carries drifting Parisian mélodies from nearby bars


Tu cherches quoi, rencontrer la mort,
What are you searching for, a rendezvous with death?


Tu te prends pour qui, toi aussi tu detestes la vie,
Who do you think you are, hating life just like I do?


Dance in bars and restaurants,
Engage in dancing at bars and restaurants


Home with anyone who wants,
Take anyone they please back home


Strange he's standing there alone,
It's peculiar that they're standing there all by themselves


Staring eyes chill me to the bone
Their gaze sends shivers down my spine


Dans sa chambre, Joel et sa valise,
In Joel's room, his suitcase lies


un regard sur ses fringues,
One glance at his clothes


Sur les murs, des photos,
Photos adorn the walls


Sans regret, sans mélo,
Without regret or melodrama


La porte est claquée, Joel est barré
The door is slammed shut, Joel has left




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BART HOWARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@PschentOfficial

Find here the Hotel Costes Best of 50 [Official Playlist] : @t

@michelplatoche7659

Les bases !!! Les défricheurs de l'époque avec Kruder & Dorfmeister, Tosca !!!

@charon8911

Супер!!

@margotm8574

addicted to it

@rebeccaz994

saw her in concert and she blew my mind!

@gerardomoreno6704

https://youtu.be/YMCKj6LDZ2U You saw this live?

@callmeJorn

a classic :-)

@popetti_8930

Great remix, thanks ;)

@spike280

mmm....to be having a cocktail at the Hotel and this comes on...how fucking fabulous

@lovedaybebe5881

spike280 completely fucking and utterly fabulous

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