Plastic Bertrand, born as Roger François Jouret on February 24, 1954, in Brussels, Belgium, is a celebrated musician, songwriter, producer, and television presenter. Rising to international fame in 1977 with his iconic hit Ça Plane Pour Moi, Bertrand became a pioneer of the European punk and new wave scenes.
Known for his witty pop sensibility and energetic stage presence, he has released ten albums and sold over 20 million records worldwide.
He has also received numerous accolades, including 15 gold records and 5 platinum records, and was knighted by King Albert II of Belgium. In addition to his music career, Bertrand has worked as a television host, art gallery collaborator, and has represented Luxembourg at Eurovision.
History and Background of the Song
Ça Plane Pour Moi is a high-energy punk-pop anthem by Belgian artist Plastic Bertrand. With its wild rhythm, rapid-fire French lyrics, and chaotic fun, the song quickly became a European hit and later found cult popularity worldwide.
Its title loosely translates to Everything’s going well for me or I’m doing fine, but the lyrics are known for being surreal and filled with absurd, dreamlike imagery.
Although credited to Plastic Bertrand, the vocals were actually recorded by Lou Deprijck, the song’s co-writer and producer. This detail sparked a legal dispute years later, but it didn’t stop the track from becoming an iconic hit of the late ’70s punk scene.
Ça Plane Pour Moi was created as a cheeky parody of punk rock but ended up being praised by punk fans for its raw, fast-paced style. It broke into charts across Europe, becoming one of the few French-language songs to gain widespread international success.
Song Analysis
Musically, the track blends punk guitars with a bouncy, almost cartoonish melody. Lyrically, it mixes nonsense phrases, rebellious energy, and offbeat humor, capturing the carefree and rebellious spirit of youth.
Although many listeners may not fully understand the lyrics, the song’s rhythm and tone make it universally infectious. It’s more about attitude than meaning, and that’s exactly what made it such a timeless hit.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | December 1977 |
| Album | An 1 |
| Writer | Lou Deprijck, Yvan Lacomblez |
| Producer | Lou Deprijck |
Complete Lyrics of Ça plane pour moi
Couplet 1
Wham ! Bam !
Mon chat Splash gît sur mon lit
A bouffé sa langue en buvant dans mon whisky
Quant à moi, peu dormi, vidé, brimé
J’ai dû dormir dans la gouttière
Où j’ai eu un flash
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
En quatre couleurs
Couplet 2
Allez hop, un matin
Une louloute est venue chez moi
Poupée de cellophane, cheveux chinois
Un sparadrap, une gueule de bois
A bu ma bière dans un grand verre en caoutchouc
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
Comme un Indien dans son igloo
Refrain
Ça plane pour moi, ça plane pour moi
Ça plane pour moi, moi, moi, moi, moi
Ça plane pour moi
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
Ça plane pour moi
Couplet 3
Allez hop, la nana, quel panard
Quelle vibration
De s’envoyer sur le paillasson
Limée, ruinée, vidée, comblée
“You are the King of the divan”
Qu’elle me dit en passant
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
I am the King of the divan
Refrain
Ça plane pour moi, ça plane pour moi
Ça plane pour moi, moi, moi, moi, moi
Ça plane pour moi
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
Ça plane pour moi
Couplet 4
Allez hop
T’occupe, t’inquiète
Touche pas ma planète
It’s not today
Quel le ciel me tombera sur la tête
Et que la colle me manquera
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
Ça plane pour moi
Couplet 5
Allez hop
Ma nana s’est tirée, s’est barrée
Enfin, c’est marre, a tout cassé
L’évier, le bar, me laissant seul
Comme un grand connard
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
Le pied dans le plat
Refrain
Ça plane pour moi, ça plane pour moi
Ça plane pour moi, moi, moi, moi, moi
Ça plane pour moi
Ouh-ouh-ouh-ouh
Ça plane pour moi
Ça plane pour moi, ça plane pour moi
Ça plane pour moi, moi, moi, moi, moi
Ça plane pour moi
English Translation of The Song
Verse 1
Wham! Bam! My cat, Splash
Is rolling around on my bed
He swallowed his tongue as he drank all my whisky
As for me, I’ve hardly slept, I feel empty and reprimanded
I had to sleep in the gutter
Where I had a flash of inspiration
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
In four colours
Verse 2
OK, let’s go! One morning
A babe came round to my house
She looked like a cellophane doll with curly hair
She was wearing a plaster and had a hangover
She drank my beer in a large rubber glass
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Like an Indian in their igloo
Chorus
It’s all working out for me, it’s all working out for me
It’s all working out for me, me, me, me, me
It’s all working out for me
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
It’s all working out for me
Verse 3
OK, let’s go! That babe was such a bitch
What a vibration!
Coming on the doormat
Filed down, ruined, empty, but happy
“You are the King of the Divan!”
She says to me in passing
I am the King of the Divan
Chorus
It’s all working out for me, it’s all working out for me
It’s all working out for me, me, me, me, me
It’s all working out for me
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
It’s all working out for me
Verse 4
OK, let’s go! Mind your own, keep your nose out
Don’t harm my planet
Today’s not the day the sky will fall down around my ears
Or that I will have to go without a drink
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
It’s all working out for me
Verse 4
OK, let’s go! my baby upped and left
She walked out on me, it’s a shitty situation
She broke everything, the sink, the bar
And she left me all alone
Like a total jerk
Stuck here faced with the aftermath
Chorus
It’s all working out for me, it’s all working out for me
It’s all working out for me, me, me, me, me
It’s all working out for me
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
It’s all working out for me
It’s all working out for me, it’s all working out for me
It’s all working out for me, me, me, me, me
It’s all working out for me
Cultural Impact and Significance of The Song
Beyond its early success, Ça Plane Pour Moi is known for a long-running controversy. While Plastic Bertrand was credited as the singer, it was later revealed that producer Lou Deprijck actually performed the vocals on the original recording.
Musically, the song mixes punk energy with a fun pop sound, making it one of the first songs to bring punk-style music to a wider audience. Its silly, playful lyrics were meant to poke fun at how serious punk could be, giving the song a cool, ironic feel.
Over the years, the song has shown up in movies, TV shows, and commercials—including The Wolf of Wall Street and Jackass 3.5—which helped make it even more famous. It played a big role in making punk and new wave popular in Europe, especially in French-speaking countries. Today, it’s seen as a classic and a fun reminder of 1970s youth culture.
Similar Songs Like Ça Plane Pour Moi
If you enjoy the wild, playful energy of Ça Plane Pour Moi, you might want to check out other tracks by Plastic Bertrand.
- Stop Ou Encore: This track keeps the fast tempo but adds a funky groove, making it feel like a fun chase through a candy-coloured cartoon world.
- Major Tom: A bold cover of Peter Schilling’s hit, this version is punchy and energetic, showing off Plastic Bertrand’s spacey charm and rock flair.
- Sentimentale moi: With a catchy hook and driving beat, this song tells a dramatic love story, mixing romance with that classic over-the-top punk vibe.
Similar Artists Like Plastic Bertrand
Here are five artists similar to Plastic Bertrand. If you enjoy upbeat energy, catchy hooks, and a touch of playfulness, these artists are definitely worth exploring.
- The B-52’s
Genre: New Wave / Dance Rock
Top albums: The B-52’s (1979), Wild Planet (1980), Whammy! (1983), Cosmic Thing (1989) - Devo
Genre: New Wave / Punk Rock
Top albums: Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978), Freedom of Choice (1980), New Traditionalists (1981), Oh, No! It’s Devo (1982) - Bow Wow Wow
Genre: New Wave / Post-Punk
Top albums: See Jungle! See Jungle! Go Join Your Gang (1981), When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going (1983), I Want Candy (1982) - Indochine
Genre: French New Wave / Rock
Top albums: L’Aventurier (1982), Le Péril Jaune (1983), 3 (1985), 7000 Danses (1987) - Téléphone
Genre: French Rock / Punk Rock
Top albums: Téléphone (1977), Crache Ton Venin (1979), Au cœur de la nuit (1980), Dure Limite (1982)
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Ça Plane Pour Moi been Covered by Other Artists?
Yes, Ça Plane Pour Moi has been covered by many artists and remains the most successful version. The melody was also used for Elton Motello’s “Jet Boy, Jet Girl” in 1977.
Why is Ça Plane Pour Moi Considered Significant in Pop Culture?
Its catchy rhythm, playful lyrics, and energetic performance made it a global hit. The song’s success as a French-language track in English-speaking countries, its use in films and commercials, and the ongoing vocal controversy have all contributed to its lasting cultural impact.
What is Unique About the Lyrics of Ça Plane Pour Moi?
The lyrics are largely nonsensical and playful, featuring a mix of French and occasional English lines, which adds to the song’s quirky and irreverent charm.
