Encombre comes from the verb encombrer, meaning to encumber, clutter, or obstruct. It's a less common word that evokes a sense of being a burden or an obstacle.
In the song, it's used to describe a homeless person: "Mais elle encombre et dérange" (But she encumbers and disturbs). This powerful word highlights the societal perception of the person as an inconvenience, making it a poignant and memorable choice.
Un Jour De Plus Au Paradis paints a vivid street-corner scene where a woman cries for help while the city rushes by. Les Enfoirés contrast her desperate calls with the calm comfort most of us enjoy, repeating that for “you and us” it is simply another day in paradise. The lyrics spotlight the everyday indifference that turns poverty invisible: cold pavements become her home, “Froid” and “Larme” (Cold and Tear) her only siblings, while passers-by lower their eyes and keep moving.
Beneath its catchy chorus, the song is a gentle but powerful reminder to trade silence for solidarity. It asks listeners to look beyond their own safety, read the life stories etched in a stranger’s wrinkles, and answer the unspoken question: Will we keep walking, or will we make room for compassion?