Les Râteaux Lyrics in English Bénabar

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Below, I translated the lyrics of the song Les Râteaux by Bénabar from French to English.

We've all been turned down

It toughens a seducer's hide

It can hurt bad, you know?

A pick-up guy's so fragile!!

'Hello'

Self-esteem gets dirty

Especially when the lion runs away

Chased by an antelope

That lops his head off with one swipe

'Got a cute name for that lovely lady?'

There's the heroic brush-off

You take in front of everyone

The brush-off that dots the i's

You're annoying now, that's enough

The so-called Alzheimer brush-off

It's the same girl as before

The jellyfish brush-off

Sorry for the pun

There's the heartbreaking brush-off

You really loved that girl

And the needless brush-off

Deep down, you didn't like her anymore

The brush-off that costs a knee

'Cause she doesn't give a damn about your ring

If she slaps you, hats off!

That's the cherry on the brush-off

To the young wolf who gives up

'Even monkeys fall from trees'

The old man wisely explains

'The hunter doesn't look at the mountain'

For twenty English girls who reject you

There'll be at least one who says 'Yes'

In a club, it gets extreme

When you get them on a conveyor belt

Everyone can plainly see

You're up for anything, starving

And then, it doesn't faze you anymore!!

There's the show-off brush-off

When the girl is a star

The anti-big-head brush-off

Because you're the star

The coming-out brush-off

Which is a brush-off like the others

The one we want to forget

That's often the first

The romantic's brush-off

He broods over it with music

The jerks' brush-off

With a buddy's wife

And the mistake brush-off

'Cause in fact, it was his sister

The repeated brush-off

When she says no, it's no

'The ladybug flies away'

'The snake stares at the frog'

'Slumped on the ground'

'The kite had no soul'

Must they, in front of their girlfriends

'You're lively, huh'

With vitriolic disdain

Rip the heart out of our chest

'Fancy a little restaurant later?'

Then run over it with a car?

When a kind smile

'shoot'

Would gently say

It's not worth us wasting time

'We could hit the movies, if you prefer'

We're nice, but go away

Back off now!!

There's the husband's brush-off

That's my wife, be nice

The hedgehog brush-off

It pricks but it's so cute

George Clooney's brush-off

If it existed, we'd know

As for the very last brush-off

Relax, it won't be soon

The gentleman's brush-off

Always polite with the ladies

The condescending brush-off

Come on! Who does she think she is?

The one you could've avoided

You just had to keep quiet

And the brush-off that inspires you

You'll turn it into a song at worst

'Well no, go. Don't leave'

'I'll call you'

'It was a nice fight, I think'

hoo hoo

'I'm not worried'

'She's not indifferent'

'Little glances that'

'Don't lie'

hoo

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Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SONY ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING FRANCE

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râteau — rake

Râteau literally means "rake", the gardening tool. However, in French slang, it takes on a completely different and very common meaning: a rejection or being turned down romantically.

This song by Bénabar is entirely built around this double meaning, humorously cataloging all the different types of romantic rejections one can experience. The phrase "prendre un râteau" (to get a rake) is a colloquial way of saying "to be rejected", making this word central to understanding the song's playful and relatable theme.

Ever been brushed off in love? In French, that awkward moment is nicknamed prendre un râteau – literally “to take a rake”. Bénabar turns this everyday humiliation into a hilarious field guide, cataloging every possible refusal: the public rejection that stings your pride, the tragic one that shatters real feelings, the dramatic kneeling-with-a-ring flop, even the polite yet deadly "gentleman" brush-off. Packed with playful word games and animal metaphors, the song reminds us that beneath every self-confident flirt lies a vulnerable heart, and that getting knocked down is part of the dance of seduction.

Behind the jokes, "Les Râteaux" delivers an encouraging wink: persistence beats discouragement, and laughter heals the bruised ego. Whether you are a jeune loup (young wolf) or a seasoned hunter, a single "yes" can still bloom after twenty "no"s. So dust yourself off, smile, and maybe turn your next romantic misfire into a catchy song – just like Bénabar!

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Bénabar Les Râteaux Lyrics