Bonne Idée is Jean-Jacques Goldman’s sparkling love letter to life itself. The lyrics start at the very beginning of existence, joking that we were all “champions” in the race of conception and shouting Bonne idée ! the moment we decided to be born. From there, the song rushes head-first into a joyful inventory of everyday wonders: sunshine and downpours, rugby matches and motorbikes, spaghetti dinners, detective novels by Frédéric Dard, and blues riffs from Johnny Winter. Each item is a tiny firework that reminds us why opening our eyes every morning is, in fact, a brilliant idea.
In the second half, Goldman shows how one encounter—“toi qui débarques”—can suddenly flood the familiar world with new colors. Nothing has technically changed, yet everything feels different, like a feast shared with friends instead of eaten alone. Even when night falls and the road seems empty, a welcoming light appears, and the singer finds companionship, music, and another chance to exclaim, Bonne idée ! The song’s message is simple and uplifting: life may be a fleeting spark in the dark, but it is packed with flavors, friendships, adventures, and limitless curiosities, making the very act of living an endlessly good idea.