J'ai le cœur en bois
Yves Duteil Lyrics

In the first stanza of Yves Duteil's song "J'ai le cœur en bois," the singer describes having a "heart of wood" to warm up someone's indecency and break down their resistance. This metaphorical heart of wood symbolizes strength and protection, as well as a willingness to be vulnerable and tender. By rooting itself in the other person's metaphorical "earth," it is able to draw on the depths of their mysteries and emotions. The repetition of "j'ai le cœur en bois tendre" emphasizes the gentle and nurturing aspect of this wooden heart, which is both resilient and soft to handle the complexities of human connections.

Moving on to the second stanza, the singer compares their heart to the sea, being torn apart by storms and craving the stability of land. The bitterness and calmness of the heart reflect the dualities of emotions experienced in relationships. The mention of building cathedrals out of stone signifies a lasting impact, something that will endure long after the person is gone. The reference to a "philosopher's stone heart" and having the heart of a star conveys a sense of wisdom and eternal love, transcending the mundane and fleeting nature of earthly experiences.

In the third stanza, the singer expresses having their heart within the other person, comparing it to a flower in soil or a child sleeping in their mother's arms. This deep connection symbolizes intimacy, trust, and a shared sense of existence. The description of having their heart inside the other person for a moment like the heart of the world emphasizes the vastness and significance of this bond. The repetition of consuming resistance and finding warmth in absence conveys a longing and devotion that transcends physical distance and separation, as the singer patiently waits with their tender wooden heart.

Overall, the lyrics of "J'ai le cœur en bois" by Yves Duteil paint a complex portrait of love, resilience, vulnerability, and connection. The imagery of wooden, stone, and star-like hearts conveys different aspects of human emotions and experiences in relationships. The juxtaposition of toughness and tenderness, longing and presence, highlights the depth and intricacies of emotional connections that persist through time and distance. Through these poetic verses, Duteil captures the essence of enduring love, strength in vulnerability, and the significance of sharing one's heart with another.