Born in Iskretz, Bulgaria, to a Bulgarian-Armenian father and a Hungarian mother, Vartan arrived in France when she was 10. She married the French rocker Johnny Hallyday on April 12, 1965 in Loconville. They have a son, David Hallyday (who is also a singer), born David Michael Benjamin Smet on August 14, 1966. Johnny Hallyday and Sylvie Vartan were France's "Golden Couple" of their generation. They divorced on November 4, 1980.
She is currently married to American media mogul Tony Scotti. She is actor Michael Vartan's aunt.
In 2005, Sylvie Vartan was appointed as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal and Child Health in the European Region.
Her European hits include "Panne d'essence" ('Out Of Gas'), "Comme un garçon" ('Like a boy'), "J’ai un problème, je crois bien que je t’aime" ('I have a problem: I really think I love you'), and "La plus belle pour aller danser" ('The most beautiful to go dancing'). She is also rembered for such songs such as "L'amour c'est comme une cigarette" (Love is like a cigarette)
Par amour par pitié
Sylvie Vartan Lyrics
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The lyrics of Sylvie Vartan's song "Par Amour Par Pitié" convey the message that love and compassion should extend beyond just people and should be shown towards things and animals as well. The song starts by saying that one shouldn't throw away an old pair of jeans, but rather mend them. Similarly, a damaged book should be fixed, and a blurry picture should be cherished. The idea is that just because something is not perfect, it doesn't mean it should be discarded. The song goes on to say that we should not laugh at a broken tree or a scorched land, but rather we should nurture it. We should rescue a fallen bird and adopt a stray dog. The verses then take on a more serious tone, saying that we should help a fallen boxer, blindfold a condemned man, bury a killed enemy, and put a wounded horse out of its misery. The song finally turns to the singer's plea to her lover, saying that she is wounded and her life is shattered without him. She begs him for his compassion and love, whether it's out of love or pity.
The song's lyrics are simple yet powerful, encouraging listeners to show empathy and love towards everything around them. The message is especially relevant in today's society where many things and people are dismissed when they are not useful or perfect. The song is also unique in the sense that it places animals on an equal footing with humans, highlighting the importance of treating all living things with kindness and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
On ne jette pas un vieux jean usé
We don't throw away an old worn out pair of jeans
On recolle un livre abîmé
We glue back together a damaged book
On regarde une photo ratée
We look at a blurry photo
Et on pleure sur une fleur séchée
And we cry over a dried up flower
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
On ne rit pas d'un arbre brisé
We don't laugh at a broken tree
On arrose une terre brûlée
We water a burned out ground
On ramasse un oiseau tombé
We pick up a fallen bird
On recueille un chien sans collier
We take in a stray dog
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
On relève un boxeur tombé
We help up a fallen boxer
On bande les yeux d'un condamné
We blindfold a convict
On enterre un ennemi tué
We bury a killed enemy
On achève un cheval blessé
We put down a wounded horse
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
Alors toi, toi qui m'as aimée
So you, you who loved me
Toi qui sais que je suis blessée
You who knows that I am hurt
Que sans toi, sans toi ma vie est brisée
That without you, without you my life is shattered
A genoux, je viens te crier
On my knees, I come to cry to you
Pitié, ai pitié
Pity, have pity
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
Par amour ou par pitié
Out of love or out of pity
Contributed by Joshua F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
uncapricio
les paroles de cette chanson sont magnifiques, qu'on en prenne de la graine !!!!
Beatrice Nkundwa
Une chanson qui parle au coeur.
Françoise Hannon
cette chanson restera toujours dans nos coeurs . Mais super époque incomparable.
pirate7220
Incomparable est le mot juste ! Faire ses devoirs en écoutant le hit parade de SLC .... Ceux qui n'ont pas vécu cette période ont tout loupé !
Martine Day
J'aime beaucoup cette magnifique chanson ...les belles années!!
Liance Liance
très belle chanson d amour ...que d émotion ...que d epreuves traversees ...merci sylvie on ne dit jamais assez je t aime aux gens qu on aime.
Double M MisterMilk
Liance Lianc
Jean Marc Vanhaeren
Superbe chanson de Sylvie Vartan qui me rappelle de très bons souvenirs, merci beaucoup pour ce live sublime, ❤️❤️❤️
princessejade1
C'est super de revoir toutes ces vidéos! Que du bonheur
MERCI !
gilles soube
j'adore cette magnifique chanson.