The song "Reprendre C'est Voler" by Jean-Jacques Goldman is about a couple who is going through a breakup and dividing their belongings. The lyrics reflect the process of deciding who gets to keep what items and how they will divide their shared life. The first verse talks about dividing records and a record player, as well as books and phone directories. The speaker suggests that they have shared everything throughout their relationship, and now they must divide everything at the end. In the second verse, they discuss the division of a fish and its bowl, as well as a table and chairs. The speaker emphasizes the need for things to be clear and equal in the distribution. They also mention that while they can divide physical items, they can no longer share dreams and aspirations together. The chorus brings up the concept of genetics, with one person keeping their "X" chromosomes and the other keeping their "XY" chromosomes. This symbolizes that they will not know what could have been if they had stayed together. The speaker believes it is probably for the best this way, as they cannot know what the other person truly wanted. Towards the end of the song, the speaker mentions that love is something the other person can keep. They acknowledge that they had given their love on one occasion but taking it back would be like stealing. The repetition of the phrase "reprendre c'est voler" (to take back is to steal) reiterates the idea that it is not appropriate to reclaim something that was once given freely. The song overall portrays the emotions and complexities involved in a breakup. It emphasizes the need for a fair division of belongings but also the inability to divide intangible aspects such as shared dreams and love.
