Opportuniste means 'opportunist' in English. It's a key word that defines the entire song's theme and the character Jacques Dutronc portrays.
The song is a satirical take on political fence-sitting, where the narrator proudly declares himself an opportunist, aligning with whatever ideology benefits him at the moment. This word is central to understanding the song's ironic and critical commentary on political fickleness.
Meet the ultimate political chameleon! In “L’opportuniste,” French icon Jacques Dutronc (joined here by Nicola Sirkis) slips into the skin of a smooth-talking opportunist who claims to love every ideology—communism, socialism, capitalism—just as long as it keeps him on the winning side. Each time the wind changes, he proudly “retourne sa veste” (turns his jacket), flaunting his talent for switching allegiances faster than you can say vive la révolution.
Beneath its playful groove, the song is a witty satire of politicians and everyday people who shout whatever slogans are fashionable, profit from every wave of public opinion, and never take real risks. The repeated image of a jacket turned so often it begins to tear is Dutronc’s cheeky warning: endless flip-flopping may pay off today, but sooner or later the seams will split. Energetic, ironic, and irresistibly catchy, “L’opportuniste” invites listeners to laugh, dance, and maybe think twice about those who are always on the “good” side.