Aquarelle translates to "watercolor" in English. It's a beautiful and evocative word that refers to a painting technique using watercolors, often associated with delicate and vibrant imagery.
In the song, Joe Dassin uses this word poetically to describe his lover: "Avec ta robe longue tu ressemblais / A une aquarelle de Marie Laurencin" (With your long dress you resembled / A watercolor by Marie Laurencin). This comparison paints a vivid picture of her grace and beauty, making it a memorable and unique choice for the lyrics.
Imagine a golden autumn morning on a quiet North-American beach, when summer refuses to leave. That is the scene Joe Dassin, a Canadian-born artist, paints in “L’été Indien.” He looks back on a perfect walk with a long-haired lover, comparing her flowing dress to a delicate watercolor. Wrapped in warm sunshine and vibrant foliage, the couple promise to follow each other anywhere and love each other forever. In that instant, they believe life will always feel like this rare “Indian summer.”
The song then leaps to the present, where the singer is far from that shore, wondering if he still lives in her memories. As waves roll in and retreat, he drifts through time, reliving the scent of the salt air and the thrill of young love. “L’été Indien” is both a celebration of a magical day and a bittersweet reminder that even the brightest seasons fade—yet in our hearts they can glow forever.
Joe Dassin (1938 to 1980) was one of the most beloved singers in French music, even though he was born in New York City. The son of American film director Jules Dassin, he moved to Europe as a child and rose to stardom in France in the late 1960s and 1970s.
With his warm voice and romantic style, he recorded enduring classics like 'Les Champs-Élysées', 'L'Été indien' and 'Et si tu n'existais pas', selling close to 25 million records. He sang mainly in French but also recorded in other languages. Dassin died of a heart attack in 1980 at just 41, yet his songs remain radio staples across the French-speaking world.