Je M'Voyais Déjà
Charles Aznavour
I Already Saw Myself
At eighteen I left my province
Fully determined to seize life
With a light heart and minimal luggage
I was certain to conquer Paris
At the most chic tailor I had made
This blue suit that was all the rage
The photos, the songs, and the orchestrations
Got the better of my savings
I already saw myself in the spotlight
Ten times bigger than anyone, my name displayed
I already saw myself adored and rich
Signing my photos for the fans who crowded around
I was the greatest of great fantasists
Achieving such success that people cheered me standing
I already saw myself looking in my list
For the one who could favorably hang on my arm that evening
My features have aged, of course, under my makeup
But the voice is there, the gesture is precise, and I have energy
My heart has soured a bit with age
But I have ideas, I know my craft, and I still believe
Just to feel the stage under my feet
To see the audience seated before me, my heart beating
I wasn't helped, I wasn't lucky
But deep down, I'm sure at least that I have talent
I've been wearing my blue suit for thirty years
And my songs only make me laugh
I chase after gigs, I go door to door
To survive, I do whatever
I've only known easy successes
Night trains and soldier girls
The measly pay, the suitcases to carry
The small furnished rooms and the meager meals
I already saw myself in photographs
Arm in arm with a star, winter in the snow, summer in the sun
I already saw myself recounting my life
Nonchalantly to eager beginners seeking advice
Calmly opening on premiere nights
A thousand telegrams from this Parisian elite that scares us so
And dying of nerves in front of this audience
Entering the stage amidst ovations and spotlights
I've tried everything to emerge from the shadows
I sang about love, I did comedy and fantasy
If everything failed for me, if I'm in the shadows
It's not my fault but that of the public who understood nothing
I was never given my chance
Others succeeded with a bit of voice but a lot of money
I was too pure or too ahead of my time
But one day I will show them that I have talent!