Tu t'laisses aller

"Tu t'laisses aller" (English: "You Let Yourself Go") is a song written in 1960 by Armenian-French artist Charles Aznavour.

History

For the first time it was released as a single in 1960 by Barclay Records (with "J'ai perdu la tête" on the B-side). In 1974 a new edition was re-released as a single.

The husband drinks alcohol to have the strength to tell his wife everything he thinks about her. He says the worst possible things to her,^[1] but then he adds, that a little effort and a smiling face, and things could be just as before. In the end he calls her: "Come close to me. Let yourself go".^[2]

It was a no. 1 hit in France in 1960, a best-selling record in Belgium in 1960,^[3] and returned to the charts in 1962.^[4]

In 1995 Aznavour recorded a version of "Tu t'laisses aller" in duet with Liza Minnelli (Paris — Palais des Congrès: Intégrale du spectacle).

Adaptations

• German: "Du läßt dich gehn", written by Ernst Bader
• English: "You've Let Yourself Go", written by Marcel Stellman
• Dutch: "Mijn ideaal", written by Jip Feldman, song by Corry Brokken

Cover versions

• Annie Cordy
• Jacques Desrosiers (parody)
• Dieter Thomas Kuhn & Band (1998)^[5]

See also

• 40 chansons d'or

References

1. ↑ Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History: Jack S. Blocker, Jr., David M. Fahey, Ian R. Tyrrell, 2003 p. 428-429
2. ↑ Charles Aznavour — You've Let Yourself Go lyrics
3. ↑ Billboard 24 Oct. 1960
4. ↑ Billboard 3 Feb. 1962
5. ↑ Tu te laisses aller, SHS

Links

• Tu t'laisses aller (live)