La Tendresse

Mireille Mathieu's song "La Tendresse" is a beautiful exploration of the delicate and often understated aspects of love and tenderness. The lyrics, shared between Mathieu and Julio Iglesias, weave a narrative that highlights the subtle yet profound moments that define true affection. The song begins by acknowledging that tenderness can sometimes mean not being in love anymore but finding joy in being together again. This sentiment is captured in the line, "C'est quelques fois ne plus s'aimer, mais être heureux de se trouver à nouveau deux," which translates to "Sometimes it's no longer loving each other, but being happy to find each other again." This suggests that tenderness transcends romantic love, encompassing a deeper, more enduring connection.

The song also delves into the fleeting nature of love, with Julio Iglesias singing about how love sometimes never arrives because it passes by without knocking, or it arrives too late when someone else has already taken its place. This reflects the unpredictable and often elusive nature of love, contrasting with the steady, reliable presence of tenderness. Mireille Mathieu's verses further emphasize this by describing tenderness as a simple gesture, a word, or a smile that makes one forget that they have grown up. This innocence and purity of tenderness are what make it so special and enduring.

In the chorus, both artists repeatedly sing "La tendresse" and "El amor," intertwining the concepts of tenderness and love. Julio's lines about forgiveness and starting anew without reproach, and walking in silence while offering without expecting, highlight the selfless and forgiving nature of true tenderness. The song concludes with a harmonious duet, reinforcing the idea that tenderness and love, though different, are deeply interconnected and essential to human relationships. The repetition of "La tendresse" and "El amor" serves as a reminder of the gentle, enduring power of these emotions in our lives.