Bruel Tour 1990-91
The title of this song appears to be a question, but in the context of the lyrics it becomes more an exclamation or even an accusation, which is why the title does not end with a question mark. Such an expression is called a “rhetorical question.” The three periods that end the statement are an “ellipsis” that indicates an incomplete or ongoing thought.
The song appeared in 1991 on Vol. 2 of the live album “Si ce soir” and was released as a single where it struck a chord with the French public. It ascended quickly to the top spot on the charts where it stayed for 7 weeks and was Bruel’s only #1 single song. Gérard Presgurvic wrote the lyrics and Bruel composed the music. The song drew on a deep well of experience from Bruel’s own childhood when he lost his father at the age of one year, then moved at three with his mother from Algeria to France where she re-married and gave him two half-brothers. These events were likely covered with spurious rationalizations and explanations by “les grands.” This was enough to encourage disillusionment with the lack of transparency by adults, their lies and manipulation of the truth. With its stirring melody and pointed remarks, the song stands as an enduring anthem to children’s rights and welfare (and more) worldwide.
Coluche and Les Enfoirés
In 2005 the prominent French group “Les Enfoirés” featured the song in their annual charity concert where Zazie, Isabelle Boulay, Corneille, Garou and Jean Baptiste Maunier joined Patrick Bruel on piano for a rendition of the song. Founded in 1986 by French comedian Coluche, “Les Enfoirés” (trans: “The Bastards”) is a major musical event in France with 7 concerts every January. It gathers some 45 artists for concerts and eventual sale of a double-disk CD and double-disk DVD set for the benefit of “Les Resto du Coeur” to support food distribution to needy persons.
Verses and choruses have 4 lines each with couplet rhyming (last word rhymes in two successive lines AABB). Two verses are followed by two choruses and then two verses are followed by two choruses repeated twice. This song elicits enthusiastic audience participation.
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Verse On m'avait dit: "Te pose pas trop de questions” Tu sais petit, c'est la vie qui t'répond A quoi ça sert de vouloir tout savoir? Regarde en l'air et vois ce que tu peux voir" Verse On m'avait dit: "Faut écouter son père." Le mien a rien dit quand il s'est fait la paire. Maman m'a dit: "t'es trop p’tit pour comprendre." Et j'ai grandi avec une place à prendre. Chorus Qui a le droit, qui a le droit, Qui a le droit de faire ça A un enfant qui croi vraiment C’que disent les grands? Chorus On passe sa vie à dire merci, Merci à qui, à quoi? A faire la pluie et le beau temps Pour des enfants à qui l'on ment. Verse On m'avait dit: "les hommes sont tous pareils. Y'a plusieurs dieu, mais y'a qu'un seul soleil" Oui mais, l’ soleil il brille ou bien il brule Tu meurs de soif ou bien tu bois des bulles. Verse A toi aussi, j'suis sur qu'on t'en a dit, De belles histoires, tu parle…que des conneries! Alors maintenant, on se retrouve sur la route, Avec nos peurs, nos angoisses et nos doutes Chorus Qui a le droit, qui a le droit Qui a le droit d'faire ça A des enfants qui croient vraiment C’que disent les grands? Chorus On passe sa vie a dire merci, Merci à qui, à quoi? A faire la pluie et le beau temps Pour des enfants à qui l'on ment Chorus Qui a le droit, qui a le droit Qui a le droit d'faire ça A des enfants qui croient vraiment Ce que disent les grands Chorus On passe sa vie a dire merci, Merci à qui, à quoi? A faire la pluie et le beau temps Pour des enfants à qui l'on ment |
Verse They told me, “Don’t ask too many questions; You know, little one, it’s life that answers you. What good is it wanting to know everything? Look up and see what you can see.” Verse They told me: “Listen to your father.” But mine said nothing when he cleared out. Maman told me, “You’re too little to understand.” And I grew up with a place to take. Chorus Who has the right, who has the right, Who has the right to do that To a child who truly believes What the grownups say? Chorus We spend our life saying thank you, Thank you to whom, for what? For dictating the rain and good weather For the children that they lie to. Verse They told me: “men are all alike. There are many gods, but only one sun.” Yes, but the sun, it shines or it burns. You die of thirst or you drown. Verse You too, I’m sure they told you this, Beautiful stories, you say—what rubbish! Well now, we find ourselves on the way With our fears, our anguish, and our doubts. Chorus Who has the right, who has the right, Who has the right to do this To children who truly believe What grownups say? Chorus We spend our life saying thank you Thank you to whom, for what? For dictating rain and good weather For the children that they lie to. Chorus Who has the right, who has the right Who has the right to do this To children who truly believe What grownups say? Chorus We spend our life saying thank you-- Thank you to whom, for what? For dictating rain and good weather For the children that they lie to. |
NB:
1. “quand il s'est fait la paire:” “se faire la paire” is an idiomatic expression that means “to leave,” “to flee.” Bruel eventually reconciled with his father around 2002 before the birth of his two sons. He claimed that his father’s absence made him stronger, and that “one builds one’s self upon the absences” ("Ce sont des manques sur lesquels on se construit”).
1. “quand il s'est fait la paire:” “se faire la paire” is an idiomatic expression that means “to leave,” “to flee.” Bruel eventually reconciled with his father around 2002 before the birth of his two sons. He claimed that his father’s absence made him stronger, and that “one builds one’s self upon the absences” ("Ce sont des manques sur lesquels on se construit”).
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