He Must Have Been Eighteen (Il Venait D'Avoir Dix-Huit Ans)
Dalida · Other Songs - Dalida
Strong as a man
Seeing the summer in his eyes, I left my autumns as it flies
Like grey of silence
I added make-up to my face as if to color some disgrace
I saw him smiling
Rainbows and colors of the spring, I would have given anything
To win his loving
I think he must have been eighteen, a movie star or any screen
It makes him careless
He never said a word of love, he thought that's speaking about love
Was only worthless
And then as if a lie were new, he simply whispered "I want you
Let's stay together"
We drifted slowly through the night, I never knew a love more right
Not since not ever
I think he must have been eighteen, it makes him vain and almost mean
He's looking abusing
Without a word he slowly dressed, leaving me to my loneliness
My share of loosing
I could have try to make him mine, I let him go without a sign
My fake was lying
He said "I am not the kind you thought", love is for grown-ups after all
I felt like crying
I added make-up to my face as if to color some disgrace
I saw him smiling
I had forgotten in a dream that I was almost twice eighteen.
He Must Have Been Eighteen
Dalida's 1969 hit 'He Must Have Been Eighteen' stands as a quintessential example of French pop during the late 1960s. The track showcases her distinctive vocal style, blending operatic technique with a romantic, melancholic delivery that defined her early career. Released alongside other notable works from the era, the song captures the emotional intensity characteristic of French chanson. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to convey youthful longing without relying on specific narrative details, allowing listeners to project their own feelings onto the performance. The recording remains a significant song in Dalida's discography, reflecting the musical landscape of Parisian clubs and radio stations of the time.