Without a doubt, Jean-Philippe Smet, better known as Johnny Halliday, is the biggest French rock star ever. Starting in the early sixties, Halliday collected an amazing series of triumphs in his home country with various recordings and his powerful live shows. He also starred in several motion pictures for directors like Jean-Luc Godard and Patrice Leconte. Halliday never got any recognition in the UK or the States, but he’s a true legend in many European countries.

In 1982, the singer released a new album entitled “La Peur.” It was a solid pop/rock collection that included “Le Survivant,” an interesting cover of a David Foster rocker entitled “You Oughta Know By Now.” Foster originally co-wrote the song for Ray Kennedy’s album that he produced in 1981. Halliday’s French version is faithful to Foster’s original catchy and powerful arrangement. The singer performed the song with his usual strength and passion. “Le Survivant” was a success and became the title of Halliday’s new, inventive live show. For the first time in the superstar’s career, the show was taped and put on sale.

“La Peur” included a few more covers of American songwriters like Bob Seger and Steve Goodman, as well as French originals co-written by names like Michel Polnareff and Halliday’s frequent collaborator Michel Mallory. There are a few numbers that well exemplifies Halliday’s enormous success in France. During his career he has sold eighty million albums and had seventeen million spectators during his 100 tours.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/le_survivant.mp3|titles=Le survivant|artists=Johnny Halliday]

Lead Vocals: Johnny Halliday
Guitars: Slim Pezin, Patrice Tisou, Bruno Victoire, José Souc
Bass: Sauveur Mania
Drums: Pierre‑Alain Dahan, Joe Hammer
Keyboards: Roger Loubet, Jean‑Pierre Sabar
Percussions: Marc Chantereau
Background Vocals : Marcel Engel, Michel Costa, Georges Costa, Bernard nous, Dominique Poulain, Catherine Bonnevoy, Karin Mercier, Marie‑France Tiberge, Pierre Billon, Bruno Victoire.
Arranged by Herve Roy, Jean Costa, Roger Loubet
Produced by Pierre Billon

Lyrics

Eventré, déchiré, bloqué entre les doigts de l’éclair
J’ai brisé, arraché, la pluie d’acier plantée dans ma chair
J’ai traversé le feu de l’apocalypse et du néant
Là debout sur mes pieds, je suis encore vivant

Je suis le survivant

J’ai chassé les barbares
Aux mâchoires bardées d’acier de fer
Oui, j’ai brûlé les sauvages
Et les hommes-chiens sortant de terre

J’ai dormi dans les ruines
Perdu au cœur de l’ancienne cité
En cachant mon sang aux ombres affamées

Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant
Je suis prêt à vivre et tuer pour survivre

Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant

Je suis le survivant

Etranglé, étouffé par les larmes froides de l’asphyxie
Oui, j’ai vécu sans amour caché dans les bras de la folie
Poursuivi par la mort entraînant le char des condamnés
Écrasant les corps de ceux qui sont tombés

Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant
Je suis prêt à vivre et tuer pour survivre

Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant

Je suis le survivant

Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant
Je suis prêt à vivre et tuer pour survivre

Oh ! Je suis le survivant
Je suis le survivant
Prêt à vivre et tuer pour survivre