Alors On Danse in English
Reviewed & translated by John Elkhoury
COMPREHENSION DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM

Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on…
So we…

Qui dit “étude” dit “travail”
Those who say “study” say “work”
Qui dit taf te dit les thunes
Those who say “work” tell you “money”
Qui dit “argent” dit “dépenses”
Those who say “money” agree with expenses
Qui dit “crédit” dit “créance”
Those who say “credit” also say “debt”
Qui dit “dette” te dit huissier, oui dit assis dans la merde
Those who say “debt” tell you about the bailiff, yes he said you’re in deep shit
Qui dit “amour” dit “les gosses,” dit “toujours,” et dit “divorce”
Those who say “love” also say “kids,” say “forever,” and then say “divorce”

Qui dit “proches” te dis “deuils” car les problèmes ne viennent pas seul
Those close to you tell you about “grief” because their problems don’t come alone
Qui dit “crise” te dis “monde” dit “famine” dit “tiers monde”
Those who say “crisis” tell you “world”, about “famine”, and then the “third world”
Qui dit “fatigue” dit “réveille” encore sourd de la veille
Those who say “tired” say “wake-up” still deaf from the sleepless night
Alors on sort pour oublier tous les problèmes
So we go out to forget all our problems

Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance
Alors on danse
So we dance

Et là tu t’dis que c’est fini car pire que ça ce serait la mort
And over there you tell me it’s over because the only thing worse would be death
Qu’en tu crois enfin que tu t’en sors quand y en a plus et ben y en a encore
When you finally think it’s over, there’s more and then even more

Ecstasy dis “problème” les problèmes ou bien la musique
Ecstasy says problem, problems or maybe it’s just the music
Ça t’prends les trips ça te prends la tête et puis tu prie pour que ça s’arrête
It grabs you by the guts, takes you by the head, and then you pray for it to stop
Mais c’est ton corps c’est pas le ciel alors tu t’bouche plus les oreilles
But it’s your body it’s not heaven, so you block your ears even more
Et là tu cries encore plus fort et ça persiste
And there you yell even louder and it continues

Alors on chante !
So we sing !
Lalalalalala, lalalalalala, 
Lalalalalala, lalalalalala
Alors on chante !
So we sing !
Lalalalalala, lalalalalala, 
Lalalalalala, lalalalalala
Alors on chante
So we sing
Alors on chante
So we sing
Et puis seulement quand c’est fini –
And then only when it’s over –

Alors on danse ! [x9]
We dance!

Et ben y en a encore ! [x5]
And well, there is more !

Listen to more translated Stromae songs!

Stromae – Papaoutai
Stromae – Quand C’est / Cancer
Stromae – Formidable

Alors on Danse English Translation – Stromae
This 2009 song released by the Belgian singer, Stromae, hit number the one charts across Europe and the world. It is one of my favorite songs sung in French. I listen to it when I run, drive, or even just walk to class. I’ve played it over 400 times.

That being said, it’s a rather simple, yet complex song to translate. Stromae uses expressions in his song and he sings quite fast, so I deemed the song as “medium” to comprehend at an intermediate level of French competency. All my American friends did not know about this song until a remixed Kanye West version was released… despite the extensive remixing, I prefer the original version.

More Stromae songs are featured here at FrenchCrazy.

For the complete list of reviewed French Songs, click HERE.