☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are about a life full of difficulties and challenges.
- The singer talks about his childhood in poverty and injustice.
- The lyrics describe the harsh reality and violence the singer faced.
- The singer tries to improve and lead an honest life, but is under pressure.
- There is also mention of a criminal act committed out of desperation.
Interpretation
The song lyrics "Je Me Suis Lavé Les Mains Dans Une Eau Salle" by
Johnny Hallyday are about a life full of difficulties and challenges. The singer talks about his childhood, which was marked by poverty and injustice. His father was in prison and he remembers him telling him to behave so that nothing would happen to him.
The lyrics also describe the harsh reality that the singer was confronted with. He speaks of the "teeth of the dogs" on his back and the shame he felt when he cried in a gray room. These lines symbolize the violence and difficult life circumstances he faced.
The singer also talks about his attempts to improve and lead an honest life. He works hard and is a good worker. But the woman he lives for wants more than just a worker. This part of the lyrics highlights the dissatisfaction and pressure he is under.
The song also mentions a criminal act in which the singer and three other men acted in vain. They had empty pockets and ran away from the police. This part of the lyrics shows the desperation and decisions made out of necessity.
The chorus "I washed my hands in dirty water, I put my hands in the river, Where crime and misery flow, I washed my hands in dirty water" symbolically describes the fact that the singer had to confront the dark and dirty sides of life.
Overall, the song lyrics are about the harsh realities of life, poverty, crime, and the attempt to survive in a difficult world. The singer expresses his frustration and struggles, but also his determination not to be defeated by these circumstances.