Celine's songs that "trascends" languages

[tonybower]

Le vol d'un ange - not a favourite of mine to be honest but I just checked out the lyrics and they're really beautiful. A nice song

[godessceline]

*Tous Les Blues Sont Écrits Pour Toi - the guitar and the depressive air says it all

*Vole - has a very strong feeling of....freedom? Can't quite explain it.

*Oxygene- not really "her" song, but still. When it speeds up towards the end I can't breathe.

*L'amour existe encore

 

So many others...Cherche encore, I believe in you (her French part), Destin...I could go on and on!

 

I really like "Le blues du businessman"...!!! love it, and have no idea what it says

 

You don't know?? The lyrics are AMAZING! Found this translation; the English is a bit off but you get the idea:

 

 

 

The Businessman's Blues

 

I'm doing well in my business

I'm doing well in my love affairs

I change secretary often

 

I have my office on top of a tower

From where I see the town upside down

From where I control my universe

 

I spend half my life in the air

Between New York and Singapore

I always travel in first class

 

I have my second home

In all the Hiltons on Earth

I can't accept misery

 

I'm not happy, but I look like I am

I lost my sense of humour

When I got my sense for business

 

I succeeded and I'm proud of it

In fact I have only one regret:

This isn't what I wanted to do...

 

I wanted to be an artist

To be able to do my show

When the airplane touches the ground

In Rotterdam or Rio

I wanted to be a singer

To be able to shout out who I am

I wanted to be an author

To be able to create my life

 

I wanted to be an actor

So every day I could change my skin

And to find myself beautiful

On a big color screen

 

I wanted to be an artist

To be able to be an anarchist

And live like a millionaire

 

I wanted to be an artist

To have the world to do again

To be able to tell why...

I exist

[celineargento]

WOW...!!! thanks for the translation, i love it even more now

The feeling I got when I didn't know what it said was a feeling of sadness, so I think I got it right

[godessceline]

WOW...!!! thanks for the translation, i love it even more now

The feeling I got when I didn't know what it said was a feeling of sadness, so I think I got it right

 

 

Yeah..a.dd to that the fact that she dressed up as a business man (or woman, whatever) when she performed it at the 1991 L'ADISQ, and it makes it even more fantastic:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGnndJJbGDM

 

I cna't think of any other performer who would go to such lengths to get into character and to really "feel" a song.

[tonybower]

WOW...!!! thanks for the translation, i love it even more now

The feeling I got when I didn't know what it said was a feeling of sadness, so I think I got it right

 

 

Yeah..a.dd to that the fact that she dressed up as a business man (or woman, whatever) when she performed it at the 1991 L'ADISQ, and it makes it even more fantastic:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGnndJJbGDM

 

I cna't think of any other performer who would go to such lengths to get into character and to really "feel" a song.

 

Thanks for the link! I love that perfromance. And I love the androgynous look on Celine! Very sexy!

 

I can't tell you how much I love this song! Here is my own translation... similar to the one above but with a few amendments:

 

Le blues du businessman

 

I’ve been successful in business

I’ve been successful in my relationships,

I often change my secretary…

I have my office at the top of a high tower

From where I can see the whole city

From where I control my universe

 

I spend half my time in the air

Between new york and Singapore

I always travel first class

I have a second home in all the Hiltons of the land

I cannot bear poverty

 

I’m not happy, though it might seem I am

I lost my sense of humour when I discovered my business sense

I’ve succeeded and I’m proud of it

Deep down, I only regret one thing

I’m not doing what I would have liked to do

 

I (would have liked) wanted to be an artist

To have my moment of glory

When the plane touches down in Rotterdam or in Rio

I wanted to be a singer

To be able to sing about who I am

I wanted to be a writer

To be able to invent my life

 

I wanted to be an actor

To change my identity every day

To be beautiful

on the big (coloured) screen

 

I wanted to be an artist

To be able to improve the world

I wanted to be an anarchist

And live like a millionaire x2

 

I wanted to be an artist

To be able to say why I exist.

[celineargento]

beautiful...gosh I love this forum!!! thanks for sharing!!!

[zoea2812]

I love Le Blues Du Businessman, and I also love Prierre Paienne, Cherche Encore, J'attendais, Regarde Moi. Celines french songs are brilliant.

[grobandion]

Hi zoea...so you love "D'Eux"

What about "D'elles"? I really like "Lettre de G.S a A de M". I obviously don't understand what it says, but her voice is so meaningfull, so sad, so passionate...I really like that song.

I'm aware it's not very popular among fans, but I really love it, one of my fav from "D'elles", but, then again, I pretty much love the entire album

thanx for sharing guys, you're all great

 

saludos

[zoea2812]

I really do like D'elles, but I have only had it for a couple of weeks where as I have been listening to D'eux for years and I absolutely love it. I love A cause off the D'elles album.

[grobandion]

Agree, love "A cause" and "On s'est aime a'cause" too...I can't decide which one I like the most.

kisses

 

saludos

[celineargento]

I prefer the slower version...it's sooooo romantic

besisss

 

[CelineFanInSoCal]

I agree with you in most of what you've said roberry82. I really believe her french songs are way more passionate and heart-felt

On the other hand, what I intended to state on this topic, was the fact that some of her songs have the power to get into our hearts without doing all the things you said...the research and translation of them

I'm not referring just to her french songs, but songs in any language that is not your native tongue.

It happend to me with "Think twice" back in 1993, and many other examples.

Thanks for sharing

 

saludos

 

 

So it sounds as though you're talking about some of her awesome vocal performances, where we as listeners are able to feel the passion she's putting into her work without having to know the language that she's signing. For me, that's just about all of them. LOL Well maybe not ALL of them, but pretty close to it. I am so appreciative to be able to have listened to so much of her work, both French and English. We're all fortunate to be fans of someone who records in multiple languages; it's almost like being a fan for two phenomenal artists, but it all wrapped up in one cute little package.

 

Celine is such an awesome vocalist... I would say that most of her work transcends language barriers. She has fans all around the world. We are all posting on the English section of this forum. That being said... there are more sections to this forum than just French and English. Her material as a vocalist obviously breaks the barriers of language if our very own forum as members of so many languages. That, coupled with her world-wide success in so many other countries, where the main language is neither French nor English, speaks to the raw emotion that Celine is able to fill each of her recordings with.

 

There are plenty of tracks like this for me, where a first listen moves me to tears or excitement. She's simply an amazing vocalist. Thank you, Celine!

[Jacqui]

Another one for me is On S'est Aime A Cause. I read the lyrics ages ago, and forgot what it was about, but I feel like I understand it...it feels sad...it feels like something I've felt before. I sound insane now haha.

[celineargento]

No you don't Jaqui....it happened to me too. I love that song.

[tonybower]

Hi zoea...so you love "D'Eux"

What about "D'elles"? I really like "Lettre de G.S a A de M". I obviously don't understand what it says, but her voice is so meaningfull, so sad, so passionate...I really like that song.

I'm aware it's not very popular among fans, but I really love it, one of my fav from "D'elles", but, then again, I pretty much love the entire album

thanx for sharing guys, you're all great

 

saludos

 

I love D'elles, I really do. I think it is one of Celine's strongest albums. I was unsure at first, but twelve months on I have come to really appreciate it. I think it's filled with little gems, pure poetry. And I love Lettre de Georges Sand... It is not a favourite here on the forum and for a while it was not one of my favourites but I have found myself listening to it a lot lately. I think it's so beautiful, touching, tragic. Celine's spoken introduction was ridiculed by many but I love the whole song, it works perfectly.

 

I know a lot of people are disappointed that more D'elles songs are not included in the current tour but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that the album is not arena material. I think the songs are mini works of art and I think the best way to perform them would be in an intimate theatre. I can imagine Celine coming back to Paris and doing a private show at the Olympia singing mainly songs from D'elles... or the theatre in Montréal used for Je ne vous oublie pas video. I honestly think these songs need to be performed in such an intimate setting. And I will be the first in line for tickets!

 

 

Another one for me is On S'est Aime A Cause. I read the lyrics ages ago, and forgot what it was about, but I feel like I understand it...it feels sad...it feels like something I've felt before. I sound insane now haha.

 

I love On s'est aimé a cause. It's a beautiful song. And I prefer it to the more upbeat equivalent (but that might just be because I usually prefer balads when it comes to Celine). If I'm honest, when I listen to Celine either in French or English, I very rarely pay attention to the words so often I like a song before I even know what it's about. I've mentioned before that, for me, lyrics are secondary when it comes to Celine. It's the voice I hear first and that is what stirs my emotions. However, quite often I will love a song and then discover that the lyrics are moving too and in a way this justifies in my mind my appreciation of the song. That is what happened with Le blues and the same thing happened with On s'est aimé a cause. I think it has such a poignant message: it is about how, when we're young we love because of life but when we're older we love in spite of life. Like when we're young, we love hastily, or foolishly and romantic notions of summer and setting suns seem to confirm and heighten our love... but when we're older we can still love each other in spite of everything life throws our way. I love it!

Edited June 4, 2008 at 02:11 PM by tonybower

[georchelr]

when i was 10 and i didnt know french, i heard pour que tu m'aimes encore and i fell in love inmediatly, then i started learning french and now ilove all her songs!!!!!!!!!!

[celineargento]

I love On s'est aimé a cause. It's a beautiful song. And I prefer it to the more upbeat equivalent (but that might just be because I usually prefer balads when it comes to Celine). If I'm honest, when I listen to Celine either in French or English, I very rarely pay attention to the words so often I like a song before I even know what it's about. I've mentioned before that, for me, lyrics are secondary when it comes to Celine. It's the voice I hear first and that is what stirs my emotions. However, quite often I will love a song and then discover that the lyrics are moving too and in a way this justifies in my mind my appreciation of the song. That is what happened with Le blues and the same thing happened with On s'est aimé a cause. I think it has such a poignant message: it is about how, when we're young we love because of life but when we're older we love in spite of life. Like when we're young, we love hastily, or foolishly and romantic notions of summer and setting suns seem to confirm and heighten our love... but when we're older we can still love each other in spite of everything life throws our way. I love it!

 

Thanks for the tips on the meaning of that song tony

kisses

[Jacqui]

Aw thanks for explaining that, now I like it even more!

[celineargento]

And what about "Je cherche l'ombre"

I love it because of the instrumentation (is that a word?), and the title suggests me a hidden relationtip. Is it so?

[Coolcat]

Hi, I'm new here and reading with so much interest.

Great your input here. I'd love to contribute.

 

No, Je cherche l'ombre, it isn't about that. I will try to put a translation in English here very soon.

 

Tony, I totally agree with all you have said.

First there is her voice, then the melody, then the lyrics.

Amazing when it all comes together.

 

Anja

[zoea2812]

I have been listening to Immensite off the D'elles album and it is sssssooooooooo good. Love it.

[celineargento]

Hi anja - coolcat

I'm waiting for the meaning on "Je cherche l'ombre" I love that song

bye

[sgcpc]

vole, everytime i listen to it, i cry! it is so emotional, and such an awesome song!

[tonybower]

Je cherche l'ombre

 

I seek out the darkness

To danse with you, my love,

To old fashioned songs

Which come to mind

When the sun fades

And the night returns

 

I seek out the darkness

Where we can shelter together, my love,

So I can rediscover your body

Far from the light

So I can love you again

Like a stranger

 

I seek out the darkness,

My love, to extinguish the fire

That consumes my soul

And burns in my veins;

The fire of this detestable desire

Which rages inside me

 

I seek out the darkness

To lament with you, my love

This life, which is much too short,

That slips through our fingers

And eats away the days

As it separates me from you

 

I search for the shadows

Like one searches for a friend, my love

A friend who takes your hand

Without tears or shame

And takes us to a place

Where we can hide our happiness

 

Hide our happiness

 

I seek out the darkness...

 

This is a rough translation but it should give you the idea of what the song is about. Ombre in French is shade/shadow but I chose darkness here to contrast with the expression in English seek out the light. Basically (in my opinion) the darkness/shadows is any space outside the glare of the spotlight... a private place for Celine where she can rediscover her life (with Rene?). Somewhere away from the public eye...

Edited June 9, 2008 at 09:23 PM by tonybower

[grobandion]

man, you're amazing.

What an awesome song that is. The perfect example of what I meant with this topic, I felt from day one that I knew the meaning. Awesome!!!

Thanks tony for the translation.

 

saludos

[celineargento]

Je cherche l'ombre

 

I seek out the darkness

To danse with you, my love,

To old fashioned songs

Which come to mind

When the sun fades

And the night returns

 

I seek out the darkness

Where we can shelter together, my love,

So I can rediscover your body

Far from the light

So I can love you again

Like a stranger

 

I seek out the darkness,

My love, to extinguish the fire

That consumes my soul

And burns in my veins;

The fire of this detestable desire

Which rages inside me

 

I seek out the darkness

To lament with you, my love

This life, which is much too short,

That slips through our fingers

And eats away the days

As it separates me from you

 

I search for the shadows

Like one searches for a friend, my love

A friend who takes your hand

Without tears or shame

And takes us to a place

Where we can hide our happiness

 

Hide our happiness

 

I seek out the darkness...

 

This is a rough translation but it should give you the idea of what the song is about. Ombre in French is shade/shadow but I chose darkness here to contrast with the expression in English seek out the light. Basically (in my opinion) the darkness/shadows is any space outside the glare of the spotlight... a private place for Celine where she can rediscover her life (with Rene?). Somewhere away from the public eye...

 

wow..!!!! thanks Tony, I love the lyrics.

I was expectin coolcat to do it, son thanks a lot. I really love it....

buy the wasy...are you single? just kidding. God, I do need that cold shower

[grobandion]

Tony, as always, your posts enrich the topic. Thanks.

A little thing about "Je cherche l'ombre"...the first thing that really captured me of this song was the "old fashion" style, with the acordeon in the background...love it

 

saludos

[celineargento]

Grobandion, felicitaciones por tu bebe / congratualtions for your baby

He is very cute. I was going to post in the other "controversial" (hahaha) topic, but since you've psoted here, he's just as "yummie" as you...

 

thanks tony once again, you're the best

 

besiss / kisses

[tonybower]

Don't mention it...

the pleasure is all mine... I'm a big francophile so I enjoy thinking about and translating these songs...

Always a little frustrating though when the beauty or subletites of the French can't be conveyed in English...

 

grobandion: your kids are very cute

 

celineargento: did the shower cool you down?

Edited June 10, 2008 at 09:23 PM by tonybower

[grobandion]

Thanks Tony. they're just like their mother....charming

I can't believe I already have 2 kids, and they're both healthy and beautiful, I feel so lucky.

Thanks for posting such thoughtfull replies, you're great

saludos