Quelqu'un de l'interieur [English translation]

I needed some warmth

Nobody about for love

Just the belly of the pinball machines

And steel balls for conversation 1

And the zeroes of the counter

Don’t be surprised if I am

Someone from the inside 2

They wanted me to resemble them

These men who hunt, who rape

Who calculate and who sell

And who then wanted me to go and

Confess my sins

Don’t be surprised if I am

Someone from the inside

I thought that one got used to it

And that this is how my life would be

I was a bit of a mess at first

But I assure you that these days

I laugh about it more than I cry

I'm someone from the inside

I watch them as they dance

And as they talk and talk

And as they say more than they think

As they attract each other with empty phrases

And they talk so much

That they find me untalkative

So they think I must be sad

But if I laid out my heart

Right in front of them

They would see colours

They don’t even know exist

It’s not a lack of courage

That keeps me from smiling

There are moments so beautiful

That only the silence can describe them

I laugh about it more than I cry

I'm someone from the inside

Perhaps they think that I’m calm

That I’m counting the stars

Surrounded by their racket

But if one day I unveiled

The secrets of my soul

It’s not a lack courage

That keeps me from smiling

There are moments so beautiful

That only the silence can describe them

You've taken all the space in my heart

But I'm someone from the inside

1. There's a whole convoluted pinball metaphor going on here...Nobody real in his life, just the pinball machine to serve as a lover and the noise of the steel balls for conversation2. This is an unusual turn of phrase in French, but the meaning seems clear that he's describing someone who prefers to keep themself to themself, not exactly an introvert but a private person. Francis has said in interviews that he wrote the song so he wouldn't have to keep explaining himself but that unfortunately it just prompted more questions!

• Artist:Francis Cabrel
• Album:Quelqu'un de l'interieur