Le Ghetto
Johnny Hallyday · Derrière L'Amour [1976]
Une prison dès le berceau
Où les hommes comme des chiens
Se tuent pour des mots, pour du pain
L'enfer est sûrement plus beau
Que le ruisseau d'un ghetto
D'un ghetto
Du ghetto un jour, je le sais
Du ghetto je m'évaderai
Et j'oublierai les barreaux
Du ghetto
Si mon visage n'est pas d'ici
Tout est privé ou interdit
Les barbelés sont le décor
De mes amours et de ma mort
L'enfer est sûrement plus beau
Que les buildings bien trop hauts du ghetto
Du ghetto un jour, je le sais
Du ghetto je m'évaderai
Et j'oublierai les barreaux
Du ghetto
Du ghetto moi je vous le dis
Du ghetto avec mes amis
Nous sauverons notre peau
Du ghetto.
About Le Ghetto
Johnny Hallyday's "Le Ghetto" stands as a defining track from his 1976 album *Derrière L'Amour*, capturing the raw energy and social commentary characteristic of his mid-career work. Released during a period where Hallyday solidified his status as a French musical icon, the song blends rock and pop influences with his signature vocal power to address themes of urban struggle and resilience. The recording exemplifies the transition from his earlier teen idol image to a more mature, politically engaged performer, resonating deeply with audiences who connected its gritty narrative to the realities of life in French cities. As a staple of his discography, the track remains a powerful representation of his ability to fuse personal expression with broader societal issues, cementing its place in the history of French rock and pop music.