Overview
Introduction
"Je te veux" ("I want you") is a song composed by Erik Satie to a text by Henry Pacory. A sentimental waltz with erotic lyrics, it was written for Paulette Darty, whose accompanist Satie had been for a period of time. The text consists of two verses and a repeated chorus.
The song was registered with SACEM on 20 November 1902, but Roland-Manuel argued it had actually been composed in 1897. Satie composed various versions of the "Je te veux" waltz: for piano and voice, for an orchestra of brass instruments, and for full orchestra (including a trio). The piano and voice version was first published in 1903. The composer later arranged the work for solo piano, adding a middle section between the second chorus and the second verse.
The melody was performed to the public in 1903, at La Scala (not the Milan music hall), then a popular cabaret in Paris. In 1925, the song was recorded with Yvonne George as singer. "Je te veux" was also recorded by Mathé Altéry, Régine Crespin, Gigliola Negri, Nicolaï Gedda, and Davide Bassino, and later by sopranos Jessye Norman, Marie Devellereaum and Angela Gheorghiu.
Jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performed the song on Jacky Terrasson's 2012 album Gouache. John Cage instructs the performer to do the piano and voice version as part of his "Sonnekus²".
In popular culture
- The song appears as the background music for the NES game Binary Land (1984)
- The song is on the 2nd CD of the soundtrack of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (2010)
- The game Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure (2012) uses the song as a theme for the fictional holiday "Fête de Paris"
- The instrumental version is used in a 2015 commercial for Cesar dog food
- The song appears in the soundtrack for the visual novel Saihate no Ima (2005)
Lyrics
英文
REFRAIN:
I understand your distress
Dear lover
And I yield to your wishes
Make me your mistress
Far from us is wisdom
No more sadness
I look forward to the beautiful moment
When we will be happy
I want you
I have no regrets
And I have only one desire
Beside you there so close
To live all my life
May my heart be yours
May your lips be mine
May your body be mine
And may all my flesh be yours
REFRAIN
Yes I see in your eyes
The divine promise
That your loving heart
Comes looking for my caress
Joined forever
Burning in the same flames
In a dream of love
We will swap our two souls
REFRAIN
法文
REFRAIN:
J'ai compris ta détresse
Cher amoureux
Et je cède à tes voeux
Fais de moi ta maîtresse
Loin de nous la sagesse
Plus de tristesse
J'aspire à l'instant précieux
Où nous serons heureux
Je te veux
Je n'ai pas de regrets
Et je n'ai qu'une envie
Près de toi là tout près
Vivre toute ma vie
Que mon cœur soit le tien
Que ta lèvre soit mienne
Que ton corps soit le mien
Et que toute ma chair soit tienne
REFRAIN
Oui je vois dans tes yeux
La divine promesse
Que ton cœur amoureux
Vient chercher ma caresse
Enlacés pour toujours
Brûlant des mêmes flammes
Dans un rêve d'amour
Nous échangerons nos deux âmes
REFRAIN
