Every day, a new guest steps into Élodie Suigo’s world. On Monday, May 26, it was composer and singer Julien Clerc, who just released his latest album Une vie and is preparing to tour across France to mark his 80th birthday.

Back in 1968, French audiences first discovered Julien Clerc’s unique voice—along with his charm and smile—when he released La Cavalerie. It quickly became clear that this artist was embarking on a long musical journey. Nearly six decades later, he continues to captivate listeners. His career commands respect and curiosity alike, with a devoted fanbase and contributions from some of the most prominent lyricists in French music, such as Étienne Roda-Gil, Jean-Loup Dabadie, Maxime Le Forestier, Françoise Hardy, and Carla Bruni, who also appears on Une vie.

This milestone album comes alongside a celebratory tour that will culminate on October 9, 2027, at the Accor Arena in Paris.

An Intimate and Personal Album

franceinfo: Is this 28th album your most personal yet?

Julien Clerc: At this stage in my life, yes, it definitely is. Everything fell into place perfectly, especially with the album being produced by Benjamin Biolay. He has this incredible talent of honoring another artist’s music when he takes it on. Working with him was pure joy. It was smooth, respectful, friendly, and even tender. You can really feel that in the final result.

Music Always Comes First

With you, it always starts with the music.

Yes, always. The album’s production was built around vocal performance, which I believe is essential in my case.

When listening to this album, one thing stands out: your voice hasn’t changed at all.

That’s the result of hard work. I believe vocal training is a way of understanding oneself. I’ve committed to taking singing lessons every week for several years now, even when I’m not performing. It’s like yoga—it helps you stay in touch with your body, and it allows you to keep moving forward in life. What we do isn’t just a job; it’s a way of living.

Letting the Guard Down

For a long time, you protected yourself through your songs. But in this album, it feels like you’ve lowered that guard—especially in Saint-Nazaire, which explores brotherhood. Naturally, it brings to mind the loss of your brother. It feels like something you really needed to express.

I usually prefer to communicate through song. So yes, I really wanted there to be a track dedicated to him on this album—but it had to be done right. I don’t write my own lyrics, and I believe choosing Paul École was a wise decision. He’s a powerful songwriter who tailors his work for each artist while still giving a piece of himself. I reached out to him for this song, but it still depended on whether he could deliver the right lyrics.

I was thrilled when I received the song. He found a beautiful perspective—portraying two people united by their desire to escape: one taking flight in an airplane, the other at his piano. Without knowing us intimately, Paul managed to capture the bond between Gérard and me.

A Deep Connection with His Lyricists

Your lyricists truly understand you.

Absolutely. People often ask me, “Don’t you get tired of singing the same songs for 20, 30, even 40 years?” The answer is no—never. Each time I sing them, I feel so grateful to perform the work of the talented people I’ve collaborated with. Singing their words continues to bring me joy.