Du Vent, des Mots (Hot Air, Empty Words)
The French idiomatic expression “C’est du vent” means: “It is hot air and empty promises.” This song is a back-and-forth duet between two former lovers who are about to part ways. In their respective roles, the n'er-do-well Garou pleads to get Charlotte Cardin to reconsider; she has clearly had enough.
Garou is a Canadian singer and actor who achieved early recognition from 1997 to 2000 for his performance of Quasimodo in Luc Plamondon’s musical production “Notre Dame de Paris.” He since established a solid solo career following his first album ("Seul") in 2001. Garou was instrumental in propelling Charlotte Cardin's career. In 2013, he included a duet with her of "Du vent, des mots," written by Jean-Jacques Goldman, on his eighth studio album "Au milieu de ma vie." The following year they performed it together in Paris on the TV show "La Voix," where he served as a judge, in a promotional boost for the song's release as a digital single. This led in 2014 to her recording contract with Jason Brando's label "Cult Nation."
In the song “Du vent, des mots,” Garou admits his errors and faults ("J'ai tant de regrets, tant de remords / Je me dégoûte, j'ai tous les torts"), promises to change and offers new beginnings. Cardin firmly blows him off with accusations of hot air, fine words (“C'est du vent, des mots Une voile sur un bateau”) and deception. At the end, re-interpreting the oft-used disparaging word “vent” (“hot air”) in the song, she bids him farewell with a good wind at his back (“Et bon vent matelot”).
There is a touch of irony in Jean-Jacque Goldman’s authorship of both music and lyrics for this piece. It distinguishes him as something of an expert in “departures,” including his own celebrated previous release in 1987 of the song “Puisque tu pars” (“Since you are leaving”) that he used to close his concerts. There is a poetic tinge to this theme, given Goldman’s own relocation to London from France for a time and subsequent time-splitting between that city and Marseilles. Life and artistic creation often combine in a mutually nourishing relationship.
Musically, Garou’s gravelly, raspy voice suits the rascally character that he plays in the song and contrasts with Cardin’s smooth, clear vocals. The lyrics are arranged by character rather than by verses and choruses and they vary in length according to conversational dynamics. Nevertheless, there are clear rhymes throughout. The melody is generally upbeat, without the sadness or melancholy that might characterize such a scene.
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FRENCH LYRICS Garou: J'ai tant de regrets, tant de remords Je me dégoûte, j'ai tous les torts Mais si tu voulais, juste une chance, encore Je promets, je ne suis plus le même Je suis un autre dès que tu m'aimes Si tu voulais, tout recommencerait Cardin: C'est du vent, des mots Une voile sur un bateau Garou: Mais si tu me pardonnais, je changerais Cardin: C'est du vent, du faux Les jolies notes de ton piano Qui caressent et grisent avant de s'envoler Garou: Je t'offrirai mes îles au trésor Ce que tu voudras, du sud au nord Si tu voulais Si tu remontais à bord Ensemble: Où sont passés nos rêves et nos coeurs? Je sens que je te perds et j'ai peur Garou: Tu peux changer Mes erreurs en aurores Cardin: C'est du vent, des mots Une voile sur un bateau Garou: Une dernière chance avant de m'assassiner Cardin: C'est du vent, du faux Les mensonges de ton piano Qui caresse et séduit Mais juste pour jouer Cardin: C'est du temps, des heures C'est le dégoût et tant de douleur La banalité des beaux rêves brisés Garou: Souviens-toi de notre bonheur Cardin: Et le deuil de ma candeur C'est comme une fin d'enfance déchirée Cardin: C'est un vent nouveau La liberté comme un cadeau Garou: Il est trop tard Cardin: Ou bien il était trop tôt Cardin: C'est devant, si beau Garou: Reviens, on recommence à zéro Je reprends la mer Cardin: Et bon vent matelot |
TRANSLATION (PENDERGAST) Garou: I have so many regrets, so much remorse I disgust myself, I did all the wrongs But if you wanted, just a chance, once more I promise I'm not the same I am another man when you love me If you wanted, all would begin again Cardin: It's all hot air, words A sail on a boat Garou: But if you forgave me, I would change Cardin: It's all hot air, words The pretty notes of your piano, Which caress and intoxicate before flying away Garou: I would offer you my treasure islands Whatever you wish, from south to north If you wanted, If you climbed back on board Both: Where did our dreams and hearts go? I feel that I'm losing you and I'm scared Garou: You can change My failures into new beginnings Cardin: It's all hot air, words A sail on a boat Garou: One last chance, before killing me Cardin: It's all hot air, words The lies of your piano Which caress and seduce, But only to play Cardin: It's time, and hours It's the disgust and so much pain The banality of broken dreams Garou: Remember our happiness Cardin: And the mourning of my innocence Like the end of a shredded childhood Cardin: It's a new wind, The freedom like a gift Garou: It's too late Cardin: Or maybe it was too soon Cardin: It’s ahead, so beautiful Garou: Come on let's start over I'm sailing off Cardin: Good wind (and good riddance) sailor |
NB:
dès que: is an expression that means “as soon as,” “once,” or “immediately.” The preposition “dès” alone means “from” or “starting from.”
griser: is a verb with two meanings. One is to “intoxicate” and the other is to “shade, gray out, or obfuscate” parts of a document.