Les Bourgeois

Jacques Brel's song 'Les Bourgeois' is a satirical and poignant commentary on the cyclical nature of rebellion and conformity. The song narrates the youthful escapades of Brel and his friends, Jojo and Pierre, as they mock the bourgeoisie, the middle-class establishment, by showing their disdain and irreverence. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of their nights spent at the bar, drinking and ridiculing the older generation, whom they see as foolish and hypocritical. The refrain, 'Les bourgeois c'est comme les cochons, plus ça devient vieux plus ça devient bête,' translates to 'The bourgeois are like pigs, the older they get, the dumber they become,' encapsulating their contempt for the bourgeoisie.

As the song progresses, a twist of irony unfolds. The once-rebellious youths grow older and become the very bourgeois they once despised. The final verse reveals that Jojo, Pierre, and Brel himself have become notaries, discussing Voltaire and Casanova in the same bar, now frequented by a new generation of young rebels. This cyclical transformation highlights the inevitability of becoming what one once opposed, suggesting a universal truth about the passage of time and the loss of youthful idealism.

Brel's use of vivid imagery and biting humor underscores the song's themes of rebellion, conformity, and the passage of time. The song serves as a critique of societal norms and the often hypocritical nature of the bourgeoisie, while also reflecting on the inevitability of change and the loss of youthful defiance. 'Les Bourgeois' is a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who has experienced the transition from youthful rebellion to adult conformity, making it a powerful and enduring commentary on human nature.