Quand c'est ?
Stromae Lyrics

Stromae's song Quand c'est is a poignant and emotional exploration of the devastating impact of cancer on individuals and families. The opening verse speaks of the perpetrator's intimate knowledge of the victim's family, having even attempted to seduce the victim's mother. However, the perpetrator's predatory behavior goes beyond sexual advances as they alone hold the power to determine when and who cancer will strike next. The repeated refrain of "cancer, cancer, dis-moi quand c'est?" ("cancer, cancer, tell me when it is?") paints a disturbing portrait of a ruthless killer that strikes unpredictably and without mercy.

The third verse addresses the insidious and fatal attraction of smoking, with the perpetrator pointing out the irony of anti-smoking warnings on cigarette packets. But despite the deadly consequences of smoking, they continue to profit from the addiction and use their ill-gotten gains to push their agenda forward. The chorus then turns to impatience and frustration, as the singer pleads for the perpetrator to leave and go on vacation, desperately hoping that the next time they hear from them it won't be about another victim succumbing to cancer.

Overall, Quand c'est is a raw and emotional ballad that captures the sense of powerlessness and despair that family members feel in the face of a devastating disease like cancer. It highlights the destructive forces at work in our society that contribute to the development of cancer and the urgent need for greater research and education to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease.