Song meaning of Y’a cinquante goss’ dans l’escalier by Pierre Perret

The song "Y'a cinquante goss' dans l'escalier" by Pierre Perret tells the story of fifty children living in a low-income housing project in Gennevilliers. The lyrics depict the harsh reality of their lives, filled with poverty, noise, and limited opportunities. 

The children use their creativity to escape their challenging environment by drawing on the walls and imagining houses illuminated with smoke coming out of their noses. They make noise to drown out the sounds of the city and the coughing from their neighbors. Despite the presence of snow outside, they are unable to go skiing, so they resort to playing on the stair railing.

The song also sheds light on the struggles of the parents and adults in the housing project. These individuals are portrayed as impoverished, never able to see the sea, and only knowing the monotonous routine of taking the RER train to work. The lyrics mention a tired sous-chef who berates his employees, highlighting the difficult working conditions experienced by the parents.

The graffiti on the walls reflects the daily life and concerns of the community, ranging from teenage love to the struggles of alcoholism and infidelity. The song criticizes the societal pressures on the children, with the lyrics suggesting that they do not want to follow in their parents' footsteps with a mundane, unhappy life.

Ultimately, the song highlights the children's dreams of escaping their current situation. They imagine a future riding a motorcycle with only a guitar as their baggage, heading to places where they can find happiness, friends, and a sun that brings warmth. 

The song's message is one of hope, resilience, and the human desire to overcome adversity. It emphasizes the importance of providing better opportunities for children to break free from the cycle of poverty and to pursue their dreams.