La quête [English translation]

Nothing can take me back

Like the smell of Play-Doh

Mommy is a preschool teacher

She's even the one teaching next door

I'm 5 years old and I'm climbing through the window

To hide out in her classroom

She says, "You're not supposed to be here"

I say, "Near you is where I belong"

Books are all I like, I prefer to be alone

So I'm happier when it rains

I go to Sunday school

But I'm not sure I believe in God

I'm 7 years old, life is easy

When I don't know something, I ask my mom

One day she said, "I don't know everything"

I lost faith in the universe

When I was 5, I just wanted to be 7

When I was 7, I couldn't wait to see the rest

Today, I'd prefer if time stopped

Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest

I'm sweeping dead leaves off the basketball court

The cold blisters my hands

I'm 10 years old, I'm a basketball fan

I dress like a little American

My dad, my hero, gave me

A pair of Jordan 8s with the velcro

So I do my best to make him proud

When he comes to all my games

I start middle school, they treat me like a spoiled rich kid

Normal, my shoes cost a fortune

I don't wanna wear them anymore, my dad gets mad

"You have everything! We had nothing!"

I'm 12 years old, I'm fucking around in class

In an effort to make friends

My music teacher kills himself

He's in teacher's paradise

When I was 11, I just wanted to be 13

When I was 13, I couldn't wait to see the rest

Today, I'd prefer if time stopped

Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest

I've fallen in love lots of times

But this time, it was reciprocal

I abandon all my friends like a coward

I only ever see my girl, we're smoking cigs

14 years old, I'm just a ghost

At least that's what my parents say

Babe wants me all to herself

Yet she's always in a mood with me

Since I'm moving, we break up

I tell myself love is overrated

My bro destroys me in basketball

So I give up

I'm 15 years old, I'm watching Kids over and over

I'm hanging with guys like Casper

My dad is hard on me

So I take it out on my brother

When I was 15, I just wanted to be 16

When I was 16, I couldn't wait to see the rest

Today, I'd prefer if time stopped

Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest

I'm going down the stairs, sick to my stomach

To get my report card before my parents do

At home, it's the Cold War

We don't understand each other so I keep my mouth shut

I'm 16 years old and I'm climbing through the window

To join the others at the skate park

We're drinking beers, we're smoking joints

And I'm describing it all in my raps

The years pass, maybe a bit too fast

That I don't dare sing how old I am

My brother is recording as I put the ring on

My sister is officiating the marriage

Those things I didn't dare tell anyone

Are the same ones filling up concert venues

Mom is here, my dad is proud

And the universe ain't so bad

(The universe ain't so bad)

When I was 16, I just wanted to be 17

When I was 17, I couldn't wait to see the rest

Today, I'd prefer if time stopped

Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest

When I was 5, I just wanted to be 7

When I was 7, I couldn't wait to see the rest

Today, I'd prefer if time stopped

Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest

• Artist:Orelsan
• Album:Civilisation