“Ma drôle de vie” (My Quirky Life), 1972
Album: De l'autre côté de mon rêve
This song appeared on Sanson’s second album in 1972, De l'autre côté de mon rêve (On the Other Side of My Dream). The word “drôle” in the song’s title “drôle de vie” can be translated in many ways-- “funny,” “strange,” “crazy,” “odd,” “quirky,” among other things. I prefer “quirky” because it’s less value-laden than some alternatives and the song is, well, quirky. Despite several changes to the title that the author herself made at various times, this is one heck of a contagious song that makes the body move and puts a smile on your face.
Although it is not one of Sanson’s favorite songs (let’s face it—it’s a keyboard-pounding, honky tonk boogie), fan appreciation has driven it to become a signature tune. A re-make of the song appeared in the 2010 film “Tout ce qui brille” (All That Glitters) co-written and co-directed by Géraldine Nakache and Hervé Mimran and this gave Sanson’s original version a second life. Frenchrescue posted an irresistable video version online.
Although it is not one of Sanson’s favorite songs (let’s face it—it’s a keyboard-pounding, honky tonk boogie), fan appreciation has driven it to become a signature tune. A re-make of the song appeared in the 2010 film “Tout ce qui brille” (All That Glitters) co-written and co-directed by Géraldine Nakache and Hervé Mimran and this gave Sanson’s original version a second life. Frenchrescue posted an irresistable video version online.
Dancing to the Rhythm (Frenchrescue)
The melody and lyrics of the song represent an invitation from the subject to a recipient to join in an oddball, personalized relationship and journey through life. Both melody and lyrics contribute to the overall upbeat spirit of the song. The song’s structure is Verse-Refrain-Verse-Refrain-Refrain. The fast pace of the melody makes it difficult to spot the rhyme scheme but it’s there although it varies by stanza and also includes hints of internal rhymes as well as end rhymes.
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Verse
Tu m'as dit que j'étais faite Pour une drôle de vie J'ai des idées dans la tête Et je fais ce que j'ai envie Je t'emmène faire le tour De ma drôle de vie Je te verrai tous les jours Et si je te pose des questions Qu'est-ce que tu diras? Et si je te réponds Qu'est-ce que tu diras? Si on parle d'amour Qu'est-ce que tu diras? Refrain Si je sais que tu mènes la vie Que tu aimes au fond de moi Me donne tous ses emblèmes Me touche quand même Du bout de ses doigts Même si tu as des problèmes Tu sais que je t'aime, ça t'aidera Laisse les autres totems Tes drôles de poèmes Et viens avec moi Verse On est parti tous les deux Pour une drôle de vie On est toujours amoureux Et on fait ce qu'on a envie Tu as sûrement fait le tour De ma drôle de vie Je te demanderai toujours Et si je te pose des questions Qu'est-ce que tu diras? Et si je te réponds Qu'est-ce que tu diras? Si on parle d'amour Qu'est-ce que tu diras? Refrain Si je sais que tu mènes la vie Que tu aimes au fond de moi Me donne tous ses emblèmes Me touche quand même Du bout de ses doigts Même si tu as des problèmes Tu sais que je t'aime, ça t'aidera Laisse les autres totems Tes drôles de poèmes Et viens avec moi Même si je sais que tu mènes la vie Que tu aimes au fond de moi Me donne tous ses emblèmes Me touche quand même Du bout de ses doigts Même si tu as des problèmes Tu sais que je t'aime, ça t'aidera Laisse les autres totems Tes drôles de poèmes Et viens avec moi Scat singing….. |
Verse
You told me I was meant For a quirky life I have ideas in my head And I do what I like I take you on a tour of My quirky life I will see you every day And if I ask you questions What will you say? And if I answer you What will you say? If we talk about love What will you say? Refrain If I know that you’re leading the life That you love deep inside me Giving me its signs, Touching me anyway With its fingertips Even if you have problems, You know that I love you, it will help you Set aside the other totems, Your strange poems, And come with me Verse We left together For a quirky life We are still in love And we do what we like You’ve surely made the rounds Of my quirky life I will always ask you And if I ask you questions What will you say? And if I answer you What will you say? If we talk about love What will you say? Refrain And if I know that you’re leading the life That you love deep inside me Giving me its signs, Touching me anyway With its fingertips Even if you have problems, You know that I love you, it will help you Set aside the other totems, Your strange poems, And come with me Even if I know you’re leading the life That you love deep inside me Giving me its signs, Touching me anyway With its fingertips Even if you have problems, You know that I love you, it will help you Set aside the other totems, Your strange poems, And come with me Scat singing….. |
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