This song is actually autobiographical. Musically and lyrically, it recalls "L'Étrangère" and "Monsieur William" by Léo Ferré.
During his teenage years, Boris, then known by his real name Serge Santeff, discovered Léo while playing an LP at a friend's house. Later, like Léo, he started his career as a pianist and singer in cabarets. There, a journalist noticed him and wrote a review.
Boris (his middle name), who became a songwriter too and got a recording contract with RCA in the meantime, saw the journalist again some time later, and the latter told the former that his music sounded like Léo's. Something that the young singer seemed to accept.
Then, the singer-songwriter faced his publisher, who was angry at him. He recalls his debut LP (self-titled from 1977), that has sold few copies and only seemed to interest few Parisian people. According to the publisher, all that Boris could do was giving his career a go, but the latter recognised that he wouldn't play provocation to sell more. The publisher phoned in despair, leaving his protégé who was still puzzled by his actions.
Finally, Boris went home, turned his stereo on and played one of Léo's vinyls on the turntable. From the loudspeakers, he could feel his mentor's pain from deep inside. He concluded by saying that, whether people loved Léo or not, Boris would have to agree with them, based on that story so far.
This song is actually autobiographical. Musically and lyrically, it recalls "L'Étrangère" and "Monsieur William" by Léo Ferré.
During his teenage years, Boris, then known by his real name Serge Santeff, discovered Léo while playing an LP at a friend's house. Later, like Léo, he started his career as a pianist and singer in cabarets. There, a journalist noticed him and wrote a review.
Boris (his middle name), who became a songwriter too and got a recording contract with RCA in the meantime, saw the journalist again some time later, and the latter told the former that his music sounded like Léo's. Something that the young singer seemed to accept.
Then, the singer-songwriter faced his publisher, who was angry at him. He recalls his debut LP (self-titled from 1977), that has sold few copies and only seemed to interest few Parisian people. According to the publisher, all that Boris could do was giving his career a go, but the latter recognised that he wouldn't play provocation to sell more. The publisher phoned in despair, leaving his protégé who was still puzzled by his actions.
Finally, Boris went home, turned his stereo on and played one of Léo's vinyls on the turntable. From the loudspeakers, he could feel his mentor's pain from deep inside. He concluded by saying that, whether people loved Léo or not, Boris would have to agree with them, based on that story so far.