Cover of the original 1903 sheet music for Je te veux
"Je te veux" ("I Want You") is a song composed by Erik Satie to a text by Henry Pacory. A sentimental waltz with erotic lyrics, it was written for Paulette Darty [fr], whose accompanist Satie had been for a period of time. The text consists of two verses and a repeated chorus.
Darty first performed the song in 1903 at La Scala [fr], then a popular cabaret in Paris. In 1925, the song was recorded with Yvonne George as singer. Other notable singers who performed the song include Mathé Altéry, Régine Crespin, Nicolai Gedda, and later Jessye Norman, Marie Devellereau, and Angela Gheorghiu. Jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performed the song on Jacky Terrasson's 2012 album Gouache. John Cage instructs the performer to do the piano and voice version as part of his nine short songs, "Sonnekus²" (1985).
The song was registered with SACEM on 20 November 1902, but Alexis Roland-Manuel argued it had actually been composed in 1897. Satie composed various versions of the "Je te veux" waltz: for piano and voice, for an orchestra of brass instruments, and for full orchestra (including a trio). The piano and voice version was first published in 1903. The composer later arranged the work for solo piano, adding a middle section between the second chorus and the second verse.
Lyrics
Refrain:
J'ai compris ta détresse,
Cher amoureux,
Et je cède à tes vœux,
Fais de moi ta maîtresse.
Loin de nous la sagesse,
Plus de tristesse,
J'aspire à l'instant précieux
Où nous serons heureux;
Je te veux.
1. Je n'ai pas de regrets
Et je n'ai qu'une envie:
Près de toi là, tout près,
Vivre toute ma vie,
Que mon cœur soit le tien
Et ta lèvre soit mienne,
Que ton corps soit le mien,
Et que toute ma chair soit tienne.
Refrain
2. Oui je vois dans tes yeux
La divine promesse.
Que ton cœur amoureux
Vient chercher ma caresse.
Enlacés pour toujours,
Brûlés des mêmes flammes,
Dans des rêves d'amours
Nous échangerons nos deux âmes.
Refrain
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Refrain:
I understand your distress
Dear lover
And I yield to your wishes
Make me your mistress
Far from us is wisdom
No more sadness
I look forward to the beautiful moment
When we will be happy.
I want you.
1. I have no regrets
And I have only one desire
Beside you there so close
To live all my life
May my heart be yours
May your lips be mine
May your body be mine
And may all my flesh be yours.
Refrain
2. Yes I see in your eyes
The divine promise
That your loving heart
Comes looking for my caress
Joined forever
Burning in the same flames,
In a dream of love
We will swap our two souls.
Refrain
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