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C'etait Toi (You Were The One)

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        I know there is no one
       That can save me from myself
       You were the only one

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     Billy tries his hand at French in "C'etait Toi" from 1980, a melancholy European-style ballad that was probably inspired in part by The Beatles' "Michelle" which also has lyrics in French.  It's not a language that Billy speaks fluently, but this is still a solid effort.  The song seems slightly out of place on the edgy Glass Houses as it is very affecting and melancholy.  Listening to "C'etait Toi," one feels as if he is in a smoky European cafe reminiscing about a lost love. 

      Billy has stated that he wanted to write a song reminiscent of "Honesty" from 52nd Street which had been a number one hit in France.  But as Billy recounts in his typical self-deprecating manner, when he sang the song on tour in Paris, the audience was not sure what language he was singing in believing it was Polish?  See article.  He later said that this is one lyric that he'd like to retract.   As a member of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame, however, Billy is allowed such an indulgence, and many fans including myself enjoy the song even with Billy's imperfect French.

      Billy performed both "Honesty" (see YouTube link) and "C'etait Toi" on French television in 1978 and 1980, respectively.  See video below.

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Vincent Van Gogh's "Cafe Terrace at Night."

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Billy rockin' the beret from 1977-1980.

Words and Music by Billy Joel

Here I am again
In this smoky place
With my brandy eyes
I'm talking to myself
You were the one
You were the one

Here I go again
Looking for your face
And I realize
That I should look for someone else
But you were the one
You were the one

I'm looking for comfort
That I can take
From someone else
But after all
I know there is no one
That can save me from myself
You were the only one

Me revoici
Dans ce bar enfume
Avec mes yeux ivres
Je me parle a moi-meme
C'etait toi
C'etait toi

Me revoici
Cherchant ton visage
Et je realise
Que je devrais en chercher une autre
C'etait toi
You were the one

Je recherche l'affection
Qu'une autre pourrait me donner
Mais apres tout
Je sais qu'il n'y a personne
Personne qui puisse me sauver
Tu etais la seule

I'm looking for comfort
That I can take
From someone else
But after all
I know there is no one
That can save me, save me from myself
You were the only one

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Embed from Getty Images

"Here I am again, in this smoky place . . . "
​Photo:   Richard E. Arons /Redferns (Getty Images) 

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Billy discusses and pans "C'etait Toi" from a 1993 Master Class.  The tune is good, but Billy's French is perhaps not as good.

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Billy discusses “C’etait Toi” on SiriusXM.

Videos

Billy and the band perform "C'etait Toi" on the French (?) television program, Le Rendez-Vous du Dimanche, on April 2, 1980.  They also played "Don't Ask  Me Why."   

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"You were the only one" (audio only).   The song was used in a episode of "Freaks and Geeks," see video, as well as in a fan video set to scenes from "Doctor Who."

In his typical self-deprecating and humorous nature, Billy discusses "C'etait Toi" and how it did not do well in France. "Oh I think they thought you were singing in Polish."

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