Permit Me Please, Monsieur (Vous Permettez, Monsieur ?)
Salvatore Adamo · Other Songs - Salvatore Adamo
So I dressed in my brand new tuxedo.
I have practiced my waltz and my tango
And arrived on the scene with panache.
As I walked through the door I beheld her
With her Ma and her Pa by her side
Like a knight taking love in his trite
I advanced on her father and pleaded.
Permit me please, monsieur, with your daughter I would dance, sir!
Please let yes be your answer and give my own love a chance, sir!
Permit me please, monsieur, I'm an ordinary fellow
Looking for his Cinderella, give me your permission, please sir!
With a look that would cook frozen ice
Her mama told papa to say no
But a faint heart will not win a fair maiden
So I thought I would have one more go.
Permit me please, monsieur, with your daughter I would dance, sir!
Please let yes be your answer and give my own love a chance, sir!
Permit me please, monsieur, I'm an ordinary fellow
Looking for his Cinderella, give me your permission, please sir!
Tell the truth, in your youth you were bold, sir
When you won such a wonderful wife
Maybe I'll be as lucky as you
And dance with your daughter through life, sir!
Permit me please, monsieur, with your daughter I would dance, sir!
Please let yes be your answer and give my own love a chance, sir!
Permit me please, monsieur, I'm an ordinary fellow
Looking for his Cinderella, give me your permission, please sir!
Give me your permission, please sir!
Give me your permission, please sir!
Permit Me Please, Monsieur (Vous Permettez, Monsieur ?)
This recording by Salvatore Adamo stands as a quintessential example of his unique fusion of French pop and rock, characterized by his distinctive falsetto and poetic lyricism. Released in the mid-1960s, the track exemplifies the era's shift toward more personal and introspective songwriting within the chanson tradition. The song's title, a polite inquiry translated as 'May I, sir,' sets a tone of gentle curiosity that permeates the composition. Adamo's vocal delivery, often described as ethereal and haunting, transforms a simple conversational prompt into a moment of emotional vulnerability. As part of his extensive discography, this work reflects his ability to blend romantic themes with a modern rock sensibility, cementing his status as a significant figure in French music history. The recording remains a staple of his live performances and posthumous compilations, showcasing the enduring appeal of his melodic structure and lyrical depth.