“La Fête” by Amir has been one of the big hits this summer in France. It was released in June and will appear on his upcoming fourth album, due to be released this coming Monday, October 18, 2020. For weeks it sat in the top 10 of the SNEP radio hits chart. This week it is down to number 18, having spent 17 weeks so far on the chart.

About the Artist

Laurent Amir Khlifa Khedider Haddad, who performs as Amir, is a French-Israeli singer/songwriter. Born in Paris France, he immigrated to Israel when he was 8 years old. He became known in 2006 when he participated in the Israeli music competition Kokhav Nolad (meaning A Star is Born in Hebrew), where he advanced four stages. His first studio album Vayehi was released in 2011. In 2014 he took part in season three of the television show The Voice: la plus belle voix, where he finished third. In 2016 he was selected to represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden, with the song “J’ai cherché”. He finished in 6th place with 257 points, France’s highest-scoring entry in history, and its best placement since 2002. Amir has won three NRJ Music Awards and two MTV Europe Music Awards and his second and third albums were both certified 3x platinum.

Biographical information from Wikipedia.

Cultural References, Idioms and Explanations

‘il suffit de’ – Literally meaning ‘it is sufficient to’, this phrase can also be translated as ‘all you have to do is’, ‘you just have to’ or ‘it is enough to’.

‘se casser + body part’ – There are two uses of the pronominal verb ‘se casser’ in this song. The first is used with a part of the body to mean that one breaks that body part. While in English one breaks ‘their’ body part (using a possessive pronoun), as with other French reflexive verbs that take a body part, the body part takes the definite article rather than a possessive pronoun. For example ‘je me brosse les dents’ means ‘I brush my teeth’, or literally ‘I brush the teeth for myself’.

‘se casser’ – This verb, when used reflexively, means ‘to break’ in the sense of something being broken, without clarifying who is responsible for the breaking. For example, ‘le vitre s’est cassé’, meaning ‘the window broke’. We don’t know who or what is responsible. It is also used idiomatically to mean ‘to leave’, ‘to take off’ or ‘to be out of here’. In the context of this song, the latter meaning seems correct.

‘s’inventer’ – This phrase can either mean the literal ‘to invent oneself’, or it can mean ‘to dream up’. The latter meaning makes sense in the context of this song.

‘faire des misères à quelqu’un’ – Literally translating as ‘to do miseries to someone’, this phrase means ‘to torment someone’.

‘tant pis’ – Literally translating as ‘so much worse’, this phrase means ‘never mind’, ‘too bad’, ‘what a shame’ or ‘oh well’.

‘tant que’ – Literally translating as ‘so much that’, this phrase means ‘as long as’, ‘for as long as’ or ‘while’.

‘on en a plein’ – One of the uses of the pronoun ‘en’ is to replace a noun when discussing quantity. For example, if asked ‘Tu as combien de bouteilles ?’ (How many bottles do you have?) one can simply respond ‘J’en ai deux’ as ‘bouteilles’ is understood, without repeating the noun. While in this instance he could have just said ‘Tant qu’on a plein de potes’, he changes the word order, likely to highlight the word ‘potes’ and to match the rhythm and flow of the song.

‘faire la fête’ – Literally translating as ‘to make the party’, this phrase means ‘to party’, or ‘to celebrate’.

‘Comme si on l’avait jamais faite’ – You will notice that the past participle ‘fait’ has an extra ‘e’ here. This is because the direct object pronoun (l’) that precedes it replaces a feminine noun, ‘la fête’. In French, a past participle must be modified to agree with any direct object that precedes it.

‘s’inviter’ – Translating literally as ‘to invite oneself’, this verb means ‘to show up’ or ‘to arrive’.

‘à l’aise’ – Translating literally as ‘at ease’, this phrase means ‘comfortable’.

‘se jouer de’ – I guess if you were to try and translate this phrase literally it would be something nonsensical like ‘to play oneself of’. This phrase means ‘to make light of’ or ‘to defy’.

‘se prendre pour’ – Literally translating as ‘to take oneself for’, it can also be translated as ‘to believe oneself to be’ or ‘to think oneself’.

‘Ton histoire’ – Despite the fact that ‘histoire’ is a feminine noun, it takes the masculine possessive article ‘ton’. Why is this, you ask? To avoid two consecutive vowel sounds, the feminine pronoun ‘ta’ is replaced with ‘ton’ before nouns that start with a vowel or a mute ‘h’. This rule also applies to the pronouns ‘ma’ and ‘sa’.

‘battre de l’aile’ – Literally translating as something like ‘beating of the wing’, this phrase means ‘to be on something’s last legs’ or ‘to be hanging on by a thread’.

‘ne … rien’ – This is a common form of negation. Used in the same way as ‘ne … pas’ (sandwiched around the verb), it means ‘not anything’ or ‘nothing’. In this song, the ‘ne’ has been omitted, which is common in colloquial speech.

‘aller + inf’ – The verb ‘aller’ means ‘to go’. As in English, when this verb is used with a place, it implies movement towards that place. But when it is used with another verb, it implies that that action will be performed in the future. For example ‘I am going to the store’ ‘(je vais au magasin’) vs ‘I am going to eat’ (‘je vais manger’). There are two instances of this construction in this song: ‘Le bar va fermer’ and ‘On va encore rentrer trop tard’.

‘œil au beurre noir’ – Literally translating as ‘eye of black butter’, this phrase means ‘black eye’.

‘J’m’appelle’ – Literally translating as ‘I call myself’, this is the French way to say ‘my name is’.

‘soir’ – While usually translated into English as ‘evening’, this term refers to any point in the night/evening when activities are still happening. The French term ‘nuit’ is only used for the moment when one goes to bed.

Activities

We’ve created flashcards, games, and exercises to practice vocabulary and grammatical concepts found in this song. Check out our Activities Page to take your learning further!

Song Lyrics with Grammatical Breakdown

Mouse over a term for grammatical information. A chart of the terms and grammatical information can be found here.

Lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing

[Verse 1]
Levonsleverto raise, lift | verb | first pers pl impera nosnosour | poss adj | masc and fem pl verresverreglass; drink | noun | masc pl sanssanswithout | prep raisonraisonreason; senses; motive, excuse | noun | fem sing
Ililhe, it | pron | third pers sing suffitsuffirebe enough, suffice | verb | third pers sing pres | il suffit de = all you have to do is, you just have to, it is enough to, it is sufficient to dedeof; from | prep vivrevivreto live | verb | infin c’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres bonbongood | adj | masc sing
Maismaisbut | conj c’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres meilleurmeilleurbetter, nicer | adv | masc sing etetand | conj c’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres moinsmoinsless | adv longlonglong; lengthy; thin; a lot, too much | adj | masc sing avecavecwith | prep ununa | indef art | masc sing peupeulittle, a little (bit), not much | adv d’deof; from | prep | used before vowelsivresseivressedrunkenness, intoxication; euphoria, exhilaration | noun | fem sing
Viensvenirto come | verb | sec pers sing impera ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' sesehimself, herself, oneself, itself, themselves, each other | pron | third pers sing and pl reflex cassecasserbreak, crack, rip | verb | first pers sing pres | se casser = to break; to leave, take off, be out of here lalathe | def art | fem sing voixvoixvoice | noun | fem sing
Viens,venirto come | verb | sec pers sing impera ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' sesehimself, herself, oneself, itself, themselves, each other | pron | third pers sing and pl reflex cassecasserbreak, crack, rip | verb | first pers sing pres | se casser = to break; to leave, take off, be out of here là-baslà-basover there | adv
Làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv oùoùwhere; at that time, when | adv l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsamouramourlove | noun | masc when sing, fem when pl estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres toujourstoujoursalways | adv roiroiking | noun | masc sing
S’sehimself, herself, oneself, itself, themselves, each other | pron | third pers sing and pl, reflex | shortened to s' before vowelsinventerinventermake up, invent, come up with | verb | infin | s'inventer = dream up, invent yourself desdessome | indef art | masc and fem pl princessesprincesseprincess | noun | fem pl
Lelethe | def art | masc sing patronpatronboss | noun | masc sing teteyou; yourself | pron | dir obj, indir obj, and reflex, sec pers sing faitfaireto do, to make | verb | third pers sing pres | faire des misères à qn = to torment sb lalathe | def art | fem sing misèremisèrepoverty; misery | noun | fem sing | faire des misères à qn = to torment sb
C’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres rien(ne) … riennothing, not … anything | pron | in cases where the 'ne' is grammatically necessary it is often omitted in coll lang
T’tuyou | pron | sec pers sing inform | may be shortened to t' before vowels in coll langasavoirto have | verb | sec pers sing pres lelethe | def art | masc sing moralmoralmorale; mentality, mental health | noun | mas sing sursuron, upon; on top of, above | prep uneunea | indef art | fem sing civièrecivièrestretcher | noun | fem sing
C’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres rien(ne) … riennothing, not … anything | pron | in cases where the 'ne' is grammatically necessary it is often omitted in coll lang
T’tuyou | pron | sec pers sing inform | may be shortened to t' before vowels in coll langesêtreto be | verb | sec pers sing pres encoreencorestill, yet; again | adv fatiguéefatiguétired, weary; sabby, worn | adj | fem sing d’deof; from | prep | used before vowelshierhieryesterday | adv
C’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres rien(ne) … riennothing, not … anything | pron | in cases where the 'ne' is grammatically necessary it is often omitted in coll lang
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' réfléchiraréfléchirthink, ponder, reflect | verb | third pers sing fut demaindemaintomorrow | adv
Tanttantso much; so (adj) … that, such (noun) … that | adv | tant pis = never mind; too bad; what a shame; oh well pispisworse | adj | tant pis = never mind; too bad; what a shame; oh well pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelscœurcœurheart | noun | masc sing ààat, to, in | prep moitiémoitiéhalf; halfway through | noun | fem sing videvideempty | adj | masc and fem sing
Tanttantso much; so (adj) … that, such (noun) … that | adv | tant que = as long as, for as long as, while quequethat, than | conj | tant que = as long as, for as long as, while desdessome | indef art | masc and fem pl potes,potebuddy, mate | noun | masc and fem pl ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' enenabout it, some (of it), of them | pron aavoirto have | verb | third pers sing pres pleinpleinfull | adj | masc sing | plein de = lots of, many; full of

[Chorus]
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres toustouseveryone, everybody | pron nésnéborn | adj | masc pl pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's fairefaireto do; to make | verb | infin | faire la fête = to party, celebrate lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing | faire la fête = to party, celebrate
Commecommelike, as; because, since | conj sisiif | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsavaitavoirto have | verb | third pers sing imperf jamaisjamaisnever, ever | adv faitefaireto do, to make | verb | pp + e
Lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres toustouseveryone, everybody | pron nésnéborn | adj | masc pl pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's fairefaireto do; to make | verb | infin | faire la fête = to party, celebrate lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing | faire la fête = to party, celebrate
Auà + leat the, to the | prep + def art | masc sing pire,pirethe worst | noun | masc sing ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' lalathe | def art | fem sing faitfaireto do, to make | verb | third pers sing pres dansdansin | prep nosnosour | poss adj | masc and fem pl têtestêtehead | noun | fem pl
Commecommelike, as; because, since | conj sisiif | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsavaitavoirto have | verb | third pers sing imperf | aux verb used with pp to form plus que parfait jamaisjamaisnever, ever | adv faitefaireto do, to make | verb | pp + e

[Verse 2]
Lalathe | def art | fem sing nuitnuitnight | noun | fem sing estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres notrenotreposs adj | our | masc and fem sing maisonmaisonhouse, home; household | noun | fem sing
Tutuyou | pron | sec pers sing, inform peuxpouvoirto be able to | verb | sec pers sing pres t’teyou | pron | dir obj, indir obj, and reflex, sec pers sing | shortened to t' before vowelsinviterinviterto invite; to pay for, treat someone | verb | infin | s'inviter = to show up, arrive sanssanswithout | prep raisonraisonreason; senses; motive, excuse | noun | fem sing
Soisêtreto be | verb | sec pers sing impera ààat, to, in | prep l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsaiseaisepleasure | noun | fem sing | à l'aise = comfortable commecommelike, as; because, since | conj dansdansin | prep tontonyour | poss adj | masc sing salonsalonliving room | noun | masc sing
Viensvenirto come | verb | sec pers sing impera meublermeublerfurnish; occupy, fill (time) | verb | infin tatayour | poss adj | fem sing tristessetristessesadness, sorrow | noun | fem sing
Viens,venirto come | verb | sec pers sing impera ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' s’sehimself, herself, oneself, itself, themselves, each other | pron | third pers sing and pl, reflex | shortened to s' before vowelslalathe | def art | fem sing jouejouerto play | verb | third pers sing pres | se jouer de qch = make light of defy ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' s’sehimself, herself, oneself, itself, themselves, each other | pron | third pers sing and pl, reflex | shortened to s' before vowelspavanese pavanerto swagger, strut | verb | third pers sing pres
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' s’sehimself, herself, oneself, itself, themselves, each other | pron | third pers sing and pl, reflex | shortened to s' before vowelsprendprendreto take | verb | third pers sing pres | se prendre pour = take yourself for, believe yourself to be, think yourself pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's leslesthe | def art | used with pl nouns lionslionlion | noun | masc pl d’deof; from | prep | used before vowelslalathe | def art | fem sing savanesavanesavannah | noun | fem sing
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres leslesthe | def art | used with pl nouns rois,roiking | noun | masc pl dedeof; from | prep Lalathe | def art | fem sing HavaneHavaneHavana | noun | fem sing
Havana,HavanaHavana | noun | EN term ohTooltip content naTooltip content naTooltip content
Tontonyour | poss adj | masc sing histoirehistoirestory; history | noun | fem sing d’deof; from | prep | used before vowelsamouramourlove | noun | masc when sing, fem when pl batbattreto beat; hit; whisk; defeat | verb | third pers sing pres | battre de l'aile = be on its last legs, be hanging on by a thread dedeof; from | prep l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsaileailewing | noun | fem sing
C’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres rien(ne) … riennothing, not … anything | pron | in cases where the 'ne' is grammatically necessary it is often omitted in coll lang
Dansdansin | prep tontonyour | poss adj | masc sing café,cafécoffe, cup of coffee; coffee bean; café | noun | masc sing t’tuyou | pron | sec person sing inform | may be shortened to t' before vowels in coll langasavoirto have | verb | sec pers sing pres | aux verb used with the pp to form the p.c. mismettreto put, place | verb | pp dude + lefrom the, of the | prep + art selselsalt | noun | masc sing
C’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres rien(ne) … riennothing, not … anything | pron | in cases where the 'ne' is grammatically necessary it is often omitted in coll lang
T’tuyou | pron | sec pers sing inform | may be shortened to t' before vowels in coll langesêtreto be | verb | sec pers sing pres troptroptoo, too much, too many, excessively | adv petitpetitsmall, little | adj | masc sing pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's touchertoucherto touch, feel; to reach; to touch, move, affect deeply | verb | infin l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelscielcielsky | noun | masc sing
C’cethis, that, it | pron | shortened to c' before a vowelestêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres rien(ne) … riennothing, not … anything | pron | in cases where the 'ne' is grammatically necessary it is often omitted in coll lang
Parceparce quebecause, since | conj | not used without que qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowelsononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' grandiragrandirget bgger, get taller; grow; grow up | verb | third pers sing fut demaindemaintomorrow | adv
Tanttantso much; so (adj) … that, such (noun) … that | adv | tant pis = never mind; too bad; what a shame; oh well pispisworse | adj | tant pis = never mind; too bad; what a shame; oh well sisiif | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' tombetomberto fall | verb | third pers sing subj dansdansin | prep lelethe | def art | masc sing videvideemptiness, empty space, void, vacuum, nothingness | noun | masc sing
Tanttantso much; so (adj) … that, such (noun) … that | adv | tant que = as long as, for as long as, while qu’quethat, than | conj | used before vowels | tant que = as long as, for as long as, whileononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' aavoirto have | verb | third pers sing pres l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsverreverreglass; drink | noun | masc pl ààat, to, in | prep moitiémoitiéhalf; halfway through | noun | fem sing pleinpleinfull | adj | masc sing

[Chorus]
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres toustouseveryone, everybody | pron nésnéborn | adj | masc pl pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's fairefaireto do; to make | verb | infin | faire la fête = to party, celebrate lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing | faire la fête = to party, celebrate
Commecommelike, as; because, since | conj sisiif | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsavaitavoirto have | verb | third pers sing imperf jamaisjamaisnever, ever | adv faitefaireto do, to make | verb | pp + e
Lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres toustouseveryone, everybody | pron nésnéborn | adj | masc pl pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's fairefaireto do; to make | verb | infin | faire la fête = to party, celebrate lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing | faire la fête = to party, celebrate
Auà + leat the, to the | prep + def art | masc sing pire,pirethe worst | noun | masc sing ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' lalathe | def art | fem sing faitfaireto do, to make | verb | third pers sing pres dansdansin | prep nosnosour | poss adj | masc and fem pl têtestêtehead | noun | fem pl
Commecommelike, as; because, since | conj sisiif | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsavaitavoirto have | verb | third pers sing imperf | aux verb used with pp to form plus que parfait jamaisjamaisnever, ever | adv faitefaireto do, to make | verb | pp + e

[Bridge]
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' aavoirto have | verb | third pers sing pres presquepresquealmost, nearly, just about | adv plusplusmore | adv | plus rien = nothing left, nothing anymore, nothing else, no more rien(ne) … riennothing, not … anything | pronoun | in cases where the 'ne' is grammatically necessary it is often omitted in colloquial speech | plus rien = nothing left, nothing anymore, nothing else, no more ààat, to, in | prep boireboireto drink | verb | infin
Maismaisbut | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv
Lelethe | def art | masc sing barbarbar, pub | noun | masc sing vaallerto go | verb | third pers sing pres fermer,fermerclose, shut; turn off; shut down | verb | infin touttouteverything; anything | pron estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres noirnoirblack | adj | masc sing
Maismaisbut | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' continuecontinuerto continue, go on carry on, keep up | verb | third pers sing pres sursuron, upon; on top of, above | prep lelethe | def art | masc sing trottoirtrottoirsidewalk | noun | masc sing
Maismaisbut | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv
Hey,Tooltip content ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres là,làthere; here | adv mmh,Tooltip content ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' vaallerto go | verb | third pers sing pres encoreencorestill, yet; again | adv rentrerrentrergo back, come back, return | verb | infin troptroptoo, too much, too many, excessively | adv tardtardlate | later | adv
Maismaisbut | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv JejeI | pron | first pers sing
croiscroireto believe, think | verb | first pers sing pres quequethat, than | conj j’jeI | pron | first pers sing | shortened to j' before vowelsaiavoirto have | verb | first pers sing pres ununa | indef art | masc sing œilœileye | noun | masc sing | œil au beurre noir = black eye auà + leat the, to the | prep + def art | masc sing beurrebeurrebutter | noun | masc sing | œil au beurre noir = black eye noirnoirblack | adj | masc sing | œil au beurre noir = black eye
Maismaisbut | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres làlàthere; here; (right) now | adv
J’jeI | pron | first pers sing | shortened to j' before vowelsaiavoirto have | verb | first pers sing pres | aux verb used with the pp to form the p. c. encoreencorestill, yet; again | adv cassécasserbreak, crack, rip | verb | pp mamamy | poss adj | fem sing guitareguitareguitar | noun | fem sing
J’jeI | pron | first pers sing | shortened to j' before vowelsm’meme; myself | pron | first pers sing, dir obj, indir obj, and reflex | shortened to m' before vowelsappelleappellerto call | verb | first pers sing pres Jimi HendrixJimi HendrixJimi Hendrix | noun, prop | musician cecethis, that | pron | masc sing soirsoirevening | noun | masc sing

[Chorus]
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres toustouseveryone, everybody | pron nésnéborn | adj | masc pl pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's fairefaireto do; to make | verb | infin | faire la fête = to party, celebrate lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing | faire la fête = to party, celebrate
Commecommelike, as; because, since | conj sisiif | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsavaitavoirto have | verb | third pers sing imperf jamaisjamaisnever, ever | adv faitefaireto do, to make | verb | pp + e
Lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing
Ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' estêtreto be | verb | third pers sing pres toustouseveryone, everybody | pron nésnéborn | adj | masc pl pourpourto; for | prep | to' before verbs, 'for' before nouns or pron's fairefaireto do; to make | verb | infin | faire la fête = to party, celebrate lalathe | def art | fem sing fêtefêteparty, festival, celebration | noun | fem sing | faire la fête = to party, celebrate
Auà + leat the, to the | prep + def art | masc sing pire,pirethe worst | noun | masc sing ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' lalathe | def art | fem sing faitfaireto do, to make | verb | third pers sing pres dansdansin | prep nosnosour | poss adj | masc and fem pl têtestêtehead | noun | fem pl
Commecommelike, as; because, since | conj sisiif | conj ononone, people, you, someone; we | pron | following verbs conjugate in third pers sing, even when used to mean 'we' l’le, lathe | def art | masc or fem sing | shortened to l' before vowelsavaitavoirto have | verb | third pers sing imperf | aux verb used with pp to form plus que parfait jamaisjamaisnever, ever | adv faitefaireto do, to make | verb | pp + e

Lyrics with Translation

Songs in any language often leave room for multiple interpretations. Following is my interpretation of the song lyrics.

La fête
The party

[Verse 1]
Levons nos verres sans raison
Let’s raise our glasses for no reason
Il suffit de vivre, c’est bon
It’s enough to live, it’s good
Mais c’est meilleur et c’est moins long avec un peu d’ivresse
But it’s better and it’s less long with a little intoxication
Viens, on se casse la voix
Come on, let’s break our voices
Viens, on se casse là-bas
Come on, let’s go over there
Là où l’amour est toujours roi
There where love is always king
S’inventer des princesses
Dreaming up princesses
Le patron te fait la misère
The boss torments you
C’est rien
It’s nothing
T’as le moral sur une civière
Your morale is on a stretcher
C’est rien
It’s nothing
T’es encore fatiguée d’hier
You’re still tired from yesterday
C’est rien
It’s nothing
On réfléchira demain
We’ll think about it tomorrow
Tant pis pour l’cœur à moitié vide
So much for the half-empty heart
Tant que des potes, on en a plein
As long as we have many friends

[Chorus]
On est tous nés pour faire la fête
We’re all born to party
Comme si on l’avait jamais faite
Like we’ve never done
La fête
The party
On est tous nés pour faire la fête
We’re all born to party
Au pire, on la fait dans nos têtes
At worst, we do it in our heads
Comme si on l’avait jamais faite
Like we’ve never done

[Verse 2]
La nuit est notre maison
The night is our home
Tu peux t’inviter sans raison
You can invite yourself for no reason
Sois à l’aise comme dans ton salon
Make yourself comfortable, like in your living room
Viens meubler ta tristesse
Come furnish your sadness
Viens, on s’la joue, on s’pavane
Come on, let’s make light of it, let’s strut
On s’prend pour les lions d’la savane
We take ourselves for lions of the savannah
On est les rois de La Havane
We are the Kings of Havana
Havana, oh na na
Havana, oh na na
Ton histoire d’amour bat de l’aile
Your love story is hanging by a thread
C’est rien
It’s nothing
Dans ton café, t’as mis du sel
In your coffee, you put salt
C’est rien
It’s nothing
T’es trop petit pour toucher l’ciel
You’re too small to reach the sky
C’est rien
It’s nothing
Parce qu’on grandira demain
Because we’ll grow up tomorrow
Tant pis si on tombe dans le vide
Too bad if we fall into the abyss
Tant qu’on a l’verre à moitié plein
As long as our glasses are half full

[Chorus]
On est tous nés pour faire la fête
We’re all born to party
Comme si on l’avait jamais faite
Like we’ve never done
La fête
The party
On est tous nés pour faire la fête
We’re all born to party
Au pire, on la fait dans nos têtes
At worst, we do it in our heads
Comme si on l’avait jamais faite
Like we’ve never done

[Bridge]
On a presque plus rien à boire
We have almost nothing left to drink
Mais on est là
But we’re here
Le bar va fermer, tout est noir
The bar is going to close, everything is black
Mais on est là
But we’re here
On continue sur le trottoir
We’ll continue on the sidewalk
Mais on est là
But we’re here
Hey, on est là, mmh, on est là
Hey, we’re here, mmh, we’re here
On va encore rentrer trop tard
We’re going to go home too late again
Mais on est là
But we’re here
Je crois que j’ai un œil au beurre noir
I think I have a black eye
Mais on est là
But we’re here
J’ai encore cassé ma guitare
I broke my guitar again
J’m’appelle Jimi Hendrix ce soir
My name is Jimi Hendrix tonight

[Chorus]
On est tous nés pour faire la fête
We’re all born to party
Comme si on l’avait jamais faite
Like we’ve never done
La fête
The party
On est tous nés pour faire la fête
We’re all born to party
Au pire, on la fait dans nos têtes
At worst, we do it in our heads
Comme si on l’avait jamais faite
Like we’ve never done

Grammatical Concepts Used in this Song

• irregualar verbs
  • être
    • Il suffit de vivre, c’est bon
    • Mais c’est meilleur et c’est moins long avec un peu d’ivresse
    • Là où l’amour est toujours roi
    • C’est rien
    • On est tous nés pour faire la fête
    • La nuit est notre maison
    • On est les rois de La Havane
    • Mais on est là
    • Le bar va fermer, tout est noir
    • T’es encore fatiguée d’hier
    • T’es trop petit pour toucher l’ciel
  • avoir
    • T’as le moral sur une civière
    • Tant que des potes, on en a plein
    • Tant qu’on a l’verre à moitié plein
    • On a presque plus rien à boire
    • Je crois que j’ai un œil au beurre noir
  • faire
    • Le patron te fait la misère
    • Au pire, on la fait dans nos têtes
  • croire
    • Je crois que j’ai un œil au beurre noir

• Near future (aller + inf)
  • Le bar va fermer, tout est noir
  • On va encore rentrer trop tard

• Imperative
  • Levons nos verres sans raison
  • Viens, on se casse la voix
  • Viens, on se casse là-bas
  • Viens meubler ta tristesse
  • Viens, on s’la joue, on s’pavane
  • Sois à l’aise comme dans ton salon

• Pronominal verbs
  • Viens, on se casse la voix
  • Viens, on se casse là-bas
  • S’inventer des princesses
  • Tu peux t’inviter sans raison
  • Viens, on s‘la joue, on s’pavane
  • Viens, on s’la joue, on s’pavane
  • On s’prend pour les lions d’la savane
  • J’m’appelle Jimi Hendrix ce soir

• Future
  • On réfléchira demain
  • Parce qu’on grandira demain

• Plus-que-parfait
  • Comme si on l’avait jamais faite

• Passé compsé
  • Dans ton café, t’as mis du sel
  • J’ai encore cassé ma guitare

• Subjunctive
  • Tant pis si on tombe dans le vide