La Ballade de Jimmy

[Jean Pierre]

"La Ballade de Jim" is one of the most important songs in Alain Souchon's repertoire. The song deals with the delicate themes of breaking up with a lover and committing suicide. The song tells the story of Jim, an anti-hero who is desperate to get rid of his love and gets drunk in his Chrysler.
The song's message of hope appeals to the public, as Jim (nicknamed Jimmy in the song) fails in his suicide attempt and wakes up in hospital to a nurse with whom he falls in love.

made with reaper, guitar strat and acoustic, keyboard, Band in a Box for bass and drums

here the lyrics and translation

"Comme elle est partie, Jim a les nerfs
"With her gone, Jim's got nerves
Jimmy boit du gin dans sa Chrysler
Jimmy drinks gin in his Chrysler
La presqu'île, le boulevard de la mer est con
The peninsula, the boulevard of the sea is stupid
Comme elle est partie, attention : Jimmy tourne en rond
As she's gone, look out: Jimmy's going in circles

Hier soir encore, son héroïne
Just last night, his heroine
Le serrait si fort en disant "Jim"
Hugs him so tight as he says "Jim".
Elle était son calmant, son alcool profond
She was his painkiller, his deep drink
Comme elle est partie, attention : Jimmy tourne pas rond
As she's gone, beware: Jimmy's not right


Jimmy, t'es fort, mais tu pleures
Jimmy, you're strong, but you cry
Sur le cuir de ta Chrysler
On the leather of your Chrysler
Là-bas le soleil s'écroule dans la mer
There the sun is falling into the sea
Jimmy, les filles pour le coeur
Jimmy, girls for the heart
Comme l'alcool et les revolvers
Like alcohol and guns
C'est sauter en l'air
It's jumping in the air
Tomber par terre
Falling to the ground
Boum !
Boom !

Depuis deux ans, sûr, Jim bossait fort
For two years, sure, Jim worked hard
Pour que sa starlette bronze en hors-bord
To get his starlet to bronze in the speedboat
Avec elle, il voulait un bébé, sans rire
With her he wanted a baby, no kidding
Comme elle est partie, attention : Jimmy veut mourir
Since she's gone, look out: Jimmy wants to die

Jimmy, t'es fort, mais tu pleures

sur le cuir de ta Chrysler

Là-bas le soleil s'écroule dans la mer

Jimmy, les filles pour le coeur

Comme l'alcool et les revolvers

C'est sauter en l'air

Tomber par terre

Boum !


Jimmy va trop vite, Jimmy pleurniche
Jimmy goes too fast, Jimmy whines
Il sent son parfum sur la corniche
He smells her perfume on the ledge
Les lacets, le gravier, et, dans l'air du soir
The shoelaces, the gravel, and in the evening air
La Chrysler s'envole dans les fougères et les nénuphars
The Chrysler flies through the ferns and water lilies

Jimmy s'éveille dans l'air idéal
Jimmy wakes up in the perfect air
Le paradis clair d'une chambre d'hôpital
The clear paradise of a hospital room
L'infirmière est un ange et ses yeux sont verts
The nurse is an angel and her eyes are green
Comme elle lui sourit, attention : Jimmy veut lui plaire
As she smiles at him, beware: Jimmy wants to please her

[StephenM]

beautiful recording JP... and nice singing... great story.

I think it was Todd Rundgren who said "Love Is The Answer"....

[Pete C]

A great cover..I love hearing these songs by French artists who we never get to hear.

Pete

[Rene Asologuitar]

"La Ballade de Jim" is one of the most important songs in Alain Souchon's repertoire.
made with reaper, guitar strat and acoustic, keyboard, Band in a Box for bass and drums

******************
Hi Jean,
This is the first time I heard this song, and you make it sound so good.
Love the background story as well, although a little sad.
Thanks for sharing.
Rene

[Jean Pierre]

although a little sad.

Yes, but the song ends with a glimmer of hope:
Jimmy wakes up from his coma, after his accident/suicide, and the nurse smiles at him, she has green eyes..and look out Jimmy wants to please her

[Zoltan]

Great song and there's that euro 80's feel to it. The lyrics are great and it's always a joy to hear you singing in French. You're doing a great service to all these French songs and songwriters by showcasing them.

[Jean Pierre]

Thank you Zoltan ...I'm the last of the French mohicans   on SC and I'm reluctant to submit songs in French