Drum Sheet – Alain Souchon – Et si en plus y’a personne

Released in 2005 on the album La Vie Théodore, “Et si en plus y’a personne” is one of Alain Souchon’s most poignant and quietly powerful songs. Known for his sharp wit and social observations, Souchon takes a more somber, spiritual tone here—offering a humanist reflection on war, religion, and meaning. For fans of drums, the track offers a masterclass in subtlety: a slow-building rhythm that supports the lyrical depth without overwhelming it, offering emotional gravity through restraint.

The song was composed by Laurent Voulzy and Alain Souchon, continuing their long-standing creative partnership. Souchon had written the lyrics as a poetic meditation on the absurdity of violence committed in the name of religion. The title—translated roughly as “And what if, on top of it all, there’s no one \[there]?”—poses a deeply existential question. The melody is simple and melancholic, almost hymn-like, and the arrangement mirrors the text’s quiet urgency.

From a drumming perspective, the song is remarkable for its understated but deeply felt groove. The drums come in gradually, never rushing or asserting dominance. The groove is brushy, intimate, and low in the mix, using soft snare taps, delicate toms, and subtle cymbal swells to evoke a kind of solemn march. The percussion works like a pulse, gently moving the song forward while letting the vocals remain the focal point.

As the song progresses, the rhythm grows ever so slightly, adding more weight and texture, particularly in the choruses. These dynamics reflect the emotional arc of the lyrics—beginning as a whisper of doubt, growing into a quiet cry of frustration and pain. For a drummer, it’s a chance to explore control: how to add intensity without volume, and how to emphasize space as much as sound.

Live, “Et si en plus y’a personne” was often performed in stripped-down arrangements during Souchon’s tours in the late 2000s. Whether at the Olympia in Paris or on French TV shows, the live versions stayed faithful to the studio take. Drummers in these performances had to walk a fine line—supporting the message while keeping the groove deeply felt but never showy.

For drumming fans, this song is a meditation in itself. It proves that sometimes, the most moving rhythms are the ones that stay in the background—anchoring the emotion, not the ego. A lesson in subtle groove, delivered with care and compassion.