I know there is no one
That can save me from myself You were the only one 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 a solid effort. The song seems slightly out of place on Glass Houses, but it is very affecting and moody, one feels like 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 was 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 fans were 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. 
Vincent Van Gogh's "Cafe Terrace at Night."
Billy discusses “C’etait Toi” on SiriusXM.
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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 Vertical Divider
"Here I am again, in this smoky place . . . "
Photo: Richard E. Arons /Redferns (Getty Images) Billy discusses and pans "C'etait Toi" from a 1993 Master Class. The tune is good, but Billy's command of French is perhaps not as good.
Billy rockin' the beret from 1977-1980.
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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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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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