Quand On Est Con

Georges Brassens, a renowned French singer-songwriter known for his sharp wit and incisive lyrics, often tackled themes of society, human nature, and the ironies of life in his music. 'Quand On Est Con' is no exception, offering a humorous yet poignant commentary on the universal and timeless nature of foolishness.

The song's lyrics juxtapose the perspectives of the young and the old, each group considering the other as foolish ('cons' in French). The young, fresh 'out of the egg,' view the older generation as out of touch, while the older individuals, with their 'graying heads,' see the youth as naive. Brassens cleverly positions himself 'between two ages,' delivering a message that transcends generational divides: foolishness is not a matter of age but a trait that one carries regardless of the years.

The chorus, 'Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire / Quand on est con, on est con!' (Time has nothing to do with it / When you're a fool, you're a fool!), serves as the song's central thesis. It emphasizes that age does not inherently bestow wisdom nor does youth necessarily equate to ignorance. The song encourages listeners to reflect on their own behaviors and prejudices, suggesting that wisdom and foolishness are not bound by age but are a matter of personal character and choice.