Johnny Hallyday has a nickname, which is “the biggest rock star you’ve never heard of.” He has another one, which is “the French Elvis.”
Both of these are exaggerations of a sort, as plenty of people have heard of him (he’s had 18 Platinum albums, though most of those sold in France and le monde Francophone), and I don’t think he’s quite as talented as Elvis. He’s also done a lot of bandwagon hopping over the years, and partaken in some trends that he shouldn’t have.
But his career has had more than a few shining moments, not the least of which is one of my all-time favorite songs, “Joue Pas De Rock’n'Roll Pour Moi.” In English, I think of it as, “Don’t Play That Rock’n'Roll For Me.”
Johnny Hallyday – “Joue Pas De Rock’n'Roll Pour Moi”
He’s singing, it appears, to a former paramour. One who’s attempting to pluck at his heartstrings by playing a song that means (or meant) something to both of them. Johnny knows it would work, so he vehemently protests: “You have a voice like a worn forty five,” he tells them. “You’re lying,” he says. And over and over, “Don’t play that rock’n'roll for me.” “Don’t use those memories against me.”
The full lyrics, again my shitty translation:
| Nous n’avons plus rien à nous dire Je suis plus dur que tu ne crois Ne te sers pas de souvenirs Joue pas de rock’n'roll pour moi, oh non! Joue pas de rock’n'roll J’ai fait ce qu’un homme devait faire pour mériter ce nom Nous n’avons plus rien à nous dire Joue pas de rock’n'roll Je crois que je vais rester sourd pendant très longtemps Nous n’avons plus rien à nous dire Joue pas de rock’n'roll |
We have nothing to more to say to one another I’m tougher than you think Do not use those memories Don’t play that rock’n'roll for me, oh no! Don’t play that rock’n'roll I did what a man must do to deserve this name We have nothing to more to say to one another Don’t play that rock’n'roll I think I’ll be deaf for a very long time We have nothing to more to say to one another Don’t play that rock’n'roll |
A song that says, “don’t play that song.” Even better, a rock song that says, “don’t play that rock song.” I love the way the chorus is layered: 1.) We shouldn’t talk (first person plural); 2.) I’m tough, (first person singular); 3.) Don’t do this to me (second person singular, and imperative!); 4.) Stop! Don’t! (second person singular, and an even more plaintive imperative).
#4 undermines #2, and we discover that maybe Johnny isn’t that tough after all; the rock’n'roll would break him down (you can hear it in his whispered, “oh non,” at the end of each chorus). Still, there’s merit to declaring that you’re strong (just ask Gloria Gaynor), and the French word dur means “hardass” as much as it means “having strength.”
The next time you’re feeling downtrodden, be it from a breakup, a shitty boss, or just a terrible day, crank this up and sing along. Singing in French will make you feel superior to your adversaries, and even if you don’t know what you’re saying, the sentiment still rings out loud and clear: Don’t fuck with me, I’m stronger than you think. Don’t play that rock’n'roll, I’m still tender.
Tags: johnny hallyday
November 29th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
this is a fucking stellar song. nice find.
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mitchco says:
December 5th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
thanks! i’ve had it for forever on a compilation called Sex: Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die. It’s a compilation of stuff from the jukebox of the S.E.X. boutique, run by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood in London in the 70s.
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December 8th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
This is the most amazing entry ever on mitchcoagogo. FYI.
plz to translate more hilarious french songs kthxbai
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