Santé Lyrics in English by Stromae

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Santé by Stromae from French to English.

These lyrics have verified word for word translations. Click any lyric word to see the translation and hear the pronunciation!

Intro

To those who don't have one

Rosa, Rosa, when we make a mess, you clean up

And you, Albert, when we toast, you pick up the glasses

Céline, single, you take jackets at the coat check

Double meaning: you get turned down at the coat check

Arlette, stop, you spend the party in the bathroom

Chorus 1

And if we celebrated those who don't celebrate

Or: How about celebrating those who don't celebrate

For once, I'd like to raise my glass

To those who don't have one

Verse 1

What good manners

Why should I pretend anyway

She's paid to do it

You think you're my mother

I'll be back in an hour

Make sure it's clean enough to eat off the ground

Three hours I'm waiting

Honestly, do they make them or what

Luckily it's only two glasses

Call me your manager and be quick

Your career could end like this

Chorus 2

Yes, let's celebrate those who don't celebrate

Once again, I'd like to raise my glass

To those who don't have one

Verse 2

Scrub, scrub, better not to

Scrub, scrub, if you don't know me

Brush, brush, you can always

Brush, brush, if you don't respect me

Chorus 3

Yes, let's celebrate those who don't celebrate

Once again, I'd like to raise my glass

To those who don't have one

Verse 3

Airplane pilot or nurse

Truck driver or flight attendant

Baker or fisherman

A glass to the champions of the worst schedules

To young parents rocked by cries

To professional insomniacs

And all those who suffer from heartache

Who don't have the heart for celebrations

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Brosser — To brush / Dream on!

Brosser literally means "to brush". However, in this song, Stromae uses the popular idiomatic expression "tu pourras toujours te brosser".

This is a sassy, colloquial way to tell someone "you can forget about it!" or "dream on!". It's used here as a warning to those who disrespect the everyday workers the song celebrates, telling them they won't get what they want without showing respect.

Ever been to a party and not even noticed the people cleaning up or collecting empty glasses? Stromae sees them. "Santé" is French for "Cheers!", but this dance track isn't a toast to the people having fun. It's a celebration for everyone else.

He starts by shouting out the workers by name: "Rosa, Rosa, quand on fout l'bordel, tu nettoies" (Rosa, Rosa, when we make a mess, you clean it up) and "Arlette, arrête, toi, la fête, tu la passes aux toilettes" (Arlette, stop, you spend the party in the toilets). He even includes a verse of rude things customers say, like "Appelle-moi ton responsable et fais vite" (Call your manager and be quick about it). The song then expands to toast all kinds of people who can't celebrate, from pilots and nurses—the "champions des pires horaires" (champions of the worst hours)—to new parents and anyone with a broken heart. It's a powerful and catchy way to ask us to raise a glass for those who can't.

Did you know?

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Yes, including Santé by Stromae!

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Stromae Santé Lyrics