Display Bilingual:

Ça, c'est l'histoire de (Melody Nelson) 00:06
Qu'à par moi-même personne 00:14
N'a jamais pris dans ses bras 00:19
Ça vous étonne? 00:23
Mais c'est comme ça 00:25
00:29
Elle avait d'l'amour, pauvre (Melody Nelson) 00:33
Ouais, elle en avait des tonnes 00:41
Mais ses jours étaient comptés 00:46
14 automnes 00:50
Et 15 étés 00:52
00:55
Un petit animal, que cette (Melody Nelson) 01:00
01:05
Une adorable garçonne 01:08
Et si délicieuse enfant 01:14
Que je n'ai connue qu'un instant 01:17
01:22
Oh, ma Melody, ma (Melody Nelson) 01:26
Aimable petite conne 01:35
Tu étais la condition 01:41
Sine qua non 01:44
De ma raison 01:47
01:48

Ballade de Melody Nelson – Bilingual Lyrics French/English

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By
Serge Gainsbourg
Album
Histoire de Melody Nelson
Viewed
215,457
Language
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Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a unique linguistic journey with Serge Gainsbourg's 'Ballade de Melody Nelson.' This iconic French pop song, celebrated for its poetic lyrics and sensual atmosphere, offers a rich opportunity to immerse yourself in the nuances of the French language. Through Gainsbourg's distinctive spoken-word style and evocative descriptions, you'll discover both the beauty of French expression and the provocative storytelling that makes this song a timeless masterpiece. Learning French through this track allows you to appreciate its cultural depth and the artistry behind its controversial yet influential narrative.

[English]
This is the story of (Melody Nelson)
That except for me, no one
Has never taken her in his arms
Does that surprise you?
But that’s how it is
...
She had love, poor Melody Nelson
Yeah, she had tons of it
But her days were numbered
14 autumns
And 15 summers
...
A little animal, that this (Melody Nelson)
...
An adorable tomboy
And such a sweet child
Whom I only knew for a moment
...
Oh, my Melody, my (Melody Nelson)
Nice little slut
You were the condition
Sine qua non
Of my reason
...
[French] Show

Key Vocabulary

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Vocabulary Meanings

histoire

i.stwaʁ

A1
  • noun
  • - story

étonne

e.tɔn

A2
  • verb
  • - surprises

amour

a.muʁ

A1
  • noun
  • - love

comptés

kɔ̃.te

B1
  • verb
  • - counted

automnes

ɔ.tɔn

A1
  • noun
  • - autumns

étés

e.te

A1
  • noun
  • - summers

animal

a.ni.mal

A1
  • noun
  • - animal

adorable

a.dɔ.ʁa.blə

A2
  • adjective
  • - adorable

garçonne

ɡaʁ.sɔn

B2
  • noun
  • - tomboy

délicieuse

de.li.sjøz

A2
  • adjective
  • - delicious

instant

ɛ̃.stɑ̃

A2
  • noun
  • - instant

aimable

ɛ.mabl

A2
  • adjective
  • - friendly

conne

kɔn

B1
  • noun
  • - fool

condition

kɔ̃.di.sjɔ̃

B1
  • noun
  • - condition

sine qua non

sin.ə kwa nɔn

C1
  • phrase
  • - essential condition

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Key Grammar Structures

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