Santé Lyrics in English Stromae
Brosser literally means "to brush". However, in this song, Stromae uses the popular idiomatic expression "tu pourras toujours te brosser".
This is a sassy, colloquial way to tell someone "you can forget about it!" or "dream on!". It's used here as a warning to those who disrespect the everyday workers the song celebrates, telling them they won't get what they want without showing respect.
Get ready to clink your imaginary glasses to the unnoticed heroes of everyday life! In “Santé,” Belgian hit-maker Stromae turns a dance-floor banger into an unexpected tribute. Instead of cheering for flashy stars, he salutes Rosa the cleaner, Albert the bar-back, night-shift nurses, truck drivers, and anyone stuck working while the rest of us party. The chorus – “À ceux qui n’en ont pas” (“To those who don’t have any”) – is Stromae’s playful yet pointed way to toast people who rarely get a toast of their own.
Beneath the upbeat percussion, the lyrics expose the small snubs these workers endure (impolite customers, impossible hours, thankless tasks) and flips the script: let’s celebrate the ones who can’t celebrate. It is both a catchy invitation to dance and a gentle reminder to show respect and gratitude. So when the beat drops, move your feet – then lift an imaginary glass high for everyone keeping the world spinning behind the scenes!
