TASHY HEARS

JE NE REGRETTE RIEN

This, I guess, just emphasises what I was saying last time. Then we had this poor high living woman bemoaning all she had done and how she had regretted not having a more normal, if mundane, life. Now we are being told we regret nothing. As I said, that attitude is more me. I have made quite a few wrong decisions in my life but can truthfully say, I regret nothing. I’ve learned a lot but it is all in the past, finished, over. I cannot change it.

The idea behind the song is the same; all is done, swept away, finished. The singer is setting fire to her souvenirs, she doesn’t need them any more. The last line, “aujourd’hui ça commence avec toi!” is the reason and for the non-French speakers amongst you, she is basically saying that today everything begins with you, presumably her new love. Sadly, I think many of us may have done that a few times but the idea of always making the best of things and having no regrets is not a bad one. But I think I am someone who lives with their memories rather than burning them.

After the film ”La Vie en Rose”, more people probably know of Edith Piaf and indeed her life. Being somewhat older than many who will read this (wonderful use of the word somewhat I think), I can remember soon after we got a television, late fifties I guess, I watched an entertainment programme, we had them in those days, and saw this little lady, dressed in black, come out on stage and sing this song. Her presence was amazing. She hardly moved, she was so small and yet she commanded the stage. I think I also may have identified her with my mother who was also pretty small, if not both, but it is a memory that has stayed with me for over 50 years.

Seeing it again, I will not change my mind. And just notice how far away from the microphone she is.