The Musician Insight

Hier encore, is the eight track of Que c’est triste Venise, released in 1964.

In this song, the singer gives us a poetic recalling of his lost youth: “j’avais vingt ans, je caressais le temps et je jouais de la vie” (I was twenty years old, caressing time and played with life). Throughout this track, we have a confession of an old man, regretting his life choices and the decision to stay detached from all: “sans compter sur mes jours qui fuyaient dans le temps” (without counting my days which fled in time).

Aznavour’s voice is theatrical and poignant, engaging us in the character’s melancholic reflections. The accompaniment by strings, drums, harp, piano and bass are laid back, putting the legend’s voice at the forefront.

The lyrics “car mes amours sont mortes avant que d’exister, mes amis sont partis et ne reviendront pas” (because my loves are dead before existing, my friends are gone and will not return) touches upon the feeling of being isolated and alone. It’s too late to go back and change his behavior: he sealed his fate. But our character knows this and feels remorse: “par ma faute, j’ai fait le vide autour de moi” (by my own fault, I created the emptiness surrounding me).

Hier encore is a powerful song, taking us to a reality and warning us, to not take life and people for granted.

Photo © Films de la Pléiade