December 9th, 2009
Inspired by my honey who taught himself English by listening to London Calling, I’m attempting to re-learn French by deciphering the lyrics of pun-hound Serge Gainsbourg (with help found here.)
An example, from Chez les yé-yé: “Ni les gris-gris que tu portais” translates to “Nor the grey-grey you were wearing” (and picks up the rhythm of the “tam-tams” and “yé-yé” in the line before it), but also gris-gris is a Creole word meaning Voodoo talisman. Soopair, Serge!
Also learned des chauves-souris au plafond, which translates roughly to bats in the belfry. No doubt that will come in handy immediately.