An Argentinian father and an Algerian mother, the proud parents of two French stars on the pop charts...

Lyrics of Bigflo and Oli's DOMMAGE: What a Pity, Translated by T Wignesan

https://bigfloetoli.lnk.to/LaVraieVie

(Two brothers: Florian (the elder with the “Big” prefix) and Olivio ORDONEZ, born and raised in music from an early age in Toulouse by their Argentinian musician father, have only - one might say - recently come out of their teens, but have already made it up high in the charts with the likes of Katy Perry and gang on CStar and other channels featuring rap. They have just brought out their second album, and to all intents and purposes, it would seem, determined to rage all over the pop world with their cheeky straight-faced comic clips and savoir-faire. Here’s a sample of their catchy and infectious lyrics, for a start - if “they” will not mind.
I have not tried to force the rhymes in my rendering though.)


Louis takes the bus as usual every morn
Walks past the same girl wrapt in sweet parfume
If only she’d come to talk, he keeps hoping every day
What he feels deep down is what they call love
But Louis, he’s timid
And the girl, she’s so beautiful
He dares not budge, he’s stuck to his seat
Once she deigned to smile at him while alighting
And ever since that fateful day, he hasn’t laid eyes on her again.

Refrain

Ah He ought to have taken the initiative, ought to have made the move
Believe me
They all said: ‘Ah! What a pity! Ah! What a shame! That surely was his last chance!’


Yasmine has a great voice, she knows she’s well-endowed
During the tempests of her life, music served to buoy her
Exposed to her melodious strains, the world would fawn at her feet
But her father kept insisting, “find yourself a true calling”
Sometimes she imagines herself lit up by projector lights
Showered on stage with applause and the target of bouquets
But Yasmine has gone all rusty, trapped by routine
Though sometimes she bursts out singing on the factory line

Refrain

Ah She ought to have taken the initiative, ought to have made the move
Believe me
They all said: ‘Ah! What a pity! Ah! What a shame! That surely was her last chance!’


Diego stays sunk slumped in his settee
And he scolds his little brother for walking past the telé
His buddies had all gone out, he didn’t join them
Often he finds himself alone with only the moon to keep him company
Diego is downcast, he lets the night bypass him
He feels depressed for not having found the girl of his life
“But, my poor Diego, you can’t be more mistaken
That was the evening you were destined to meet her!”


Refrain

Ah He ought to have taken the initiative, ought to have made the move
Believe me
They all said: ‘Ah! What a pity! Ah! What a shame! That surely was his last chance!’


Pauline she’s discreet, she forgets she’s beautiful
Covered all over her body shades of the colour of sky
Her husband will soon be home, she’d rather not let the thought bother
When he takes her hand, for sure it’s not to make her dance
She recalls the day at the Town Hall the decision she took
The afternoon when she packed all her belongings
She had a future, a son to bring up
After the last dance, she has never been able to pull herself up

Refrain

Ah He ought to have taken the initiative, ought to have made the move
Believe me
They all said: ‘Ah! What a pity! Ah! What a shame! That surely was his last chance!’



BETTER to endure feelings of remorse than to harbour regrets
BETTER to endure feelings of remorse than to harbour regrets
BETTER to endure feelings of remorse than to harbour regrets
BETTER to endure feelings of remorse THAT’s the secret

(c) T. Wignesan - Paris, 2017