Ma Place Dans Le Trafic Lyrics in English Francis Cabrel

Francis Cabrel’s “Ma Place Dans Le Trafic” paints the picture of an everyday commuter who feels both wide-awake and half-asleep inside the concrete jungle. From the very first tear at dawn to the scent of exhaust that “perfumes” his life, the narrator ticks through familiar morning rituals that do nothing but slide him back into the endless line of cars. Cabrel uses that traffic jam as a metaphor for a society where promises of comfort sound cozy yet quietly imprison us, turning people into “mutants” who don’t even own their own desires.

While the engine idles, the song wrestles with bigger fears: pollution, consumerism, the loss of individuality, and the haunting thought that the next generation will inherit the same gridlock. Even the rebellious dreamers fade into the distance, leaving the singer clutching a phone and dialing le 12 (directory assistance) just to hear another human voice. Darkly humorous and deeply relatable, the track invites listeners to question how often we simply accept our assigned lane—and challenges us to find the courage to signal for an exit before it’s too late.