After a huge success at the most famous French Festival in Bourges in 2004, Amélie-les-crayons then won the 2 Prizes of Montauban French Chanson Festival. In july, Quebec offered her the renowned Felix Leclerc Prize for her work and 6 months later, it was Belgium who congratulated Amélie with the Charleroi Festival Great Prize. The album "et pourquoi les crayons ?" released in June sold about 30 000 copies in a year, which is rather exceptional for a French independant band.
Sweet and serene in real life, Amélie metamorphoses on stage: the young girl becomes an astonishing show girl! And the boys show a great talent for playing the piano, tuba, clarinet (Heiko), accordion (Michel) or double bass (Laurent).
Chamelet
Amélie-les-crayons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
j'prends soin d'mon corps, j'écoute les oiseaux.
J'observe les abeilles qui butinent la lavande;
j'vis au rythme du soleil et de la lande.
Je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu. (bis)
Je m'balade dans les bois jusqu'à ce que j'sois perdue.
Quand j'reviens sous mon toît, j'suis fourbue.
J'refais de la cuisine, j'y prends même du plaisir.
Je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu.(bis)
J'étends le linge dehors, j'arrose les hortensias qu'ont soufferts d'la chaleur, comme moi.
Je laisse les grillons me saôuler le soir, j'accompagne leurs chansons avec ma guitare.
Je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu.(bis)
Je reste des heures allongée par terre à regarder les nuages se fairent, se défairent.
Je sens les insectes me chatouiller, je les laisse faire, je les laisse m'inspecter.
Aujourd'hui, je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu.
Aujourd'hui, je vais bien, peut-être je rentre demain.
Aujourd'hui, j'ai laissée faire mes mains.
The song "Chamelet" by Amélie-les-crayons is a celebration of slow living and the beauty of nature. The singer begins by describing her morning routine. She wakes up early but immediately goes back to sleep, taking care of her body and listening to the birds outside. She spends time observing the bees as they collect nectar from the lavender plants, and she lives her life in harmony with the sun and the land. The singer then describes how she takes a walk in the woods until she gets lost, and returns to her home feeling exhausted. However, she finds pleasure in cooking, and even washing up in a basin makes her laugh.
The second verse describes the singer tending to her garden-- watering her hortensias, watching crickets and playing guitar to their songs in the evenings. She is in tune with the rhythms of nature, and feels content in the simple moments. In the final section of the song, the singer rests in the grass and watches the clouds float by. She allows herself to be tickled by insects, enjoying their company. The song ends with the singer feeling well, but looking forward to continuing her journey of healing and growth.
Overall, "Chamelet" is a song about finding joy in the present moment, and the power of nature to heal and restore oneself. The song encourages listeners to slow down and appreciate the small moments of life, and to take time to connect with the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Je me lève aux aurores, j'me recouche aussitôt.
I wake up very early but go back to bed immediately.
j'prends soin d'mon corps, j'écoute les oiseaux.
I take care of my body and listen to the birds.
J'observe les abeilles qui butinent la lavande;
I observe the bees collecting lavender nectar.
j'vis au rythme du soleil et de la lande.
I live according the rhythm of the sun and the moorland.
Je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu. (bis)
I'm feeling better but please wait for me a little longer.
Je m'balade dans les bois jusqu'à ce que j'sois perdue.
I wander in the woods until I get lost.
Quand j'reviens sous mon toît, j'suis fourbue.
When I come back home, I am exhausted.
J'refais de la cuisine, j'y prends même du plaisir.
I cook again and even enjoy it.
J'me lave dans une bassine ça m'fait rire.
I wash myself in a basin and find it amusing.
Je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu. (bis)
I'm feeling better but please wait for me a little longer.
J'étends le linge dehors, j'arrose les hortensias qu'ont soufferts d'la chaleur, comme moi.
I hang out the laundry and water the hydrangeas struggling from the heat, like me.
Je laisse les grillons me saôuler le soir, j'accompagne leurs chansons avec ma guitare.
I let the crickets serenade me at night and play along with their songs using my guitar.
Je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu. (bis)
I'm feeling better but please wait for me a little longer.
Je reste des heures allongée par terre à regarder les nuages se fairent, se défairent.
I lie on the ground for hours watching the clouds form and disperse.
Je sens les insectes me chatouiller, je les laisse faire, je les laisse m'inspecter.
I feel the insects tickling me and allow them to inspect me.
Aujourd'hui, je vais mieux, attends moi encore un ptit peu.
Today, I feel better but please wait for me a little longer.
Aujourd'hui, je vais bien, peut-être je rentre demain.
Today, I'm doing well, maybe I'll come back tomorrow.
Aujourd'hui, j'ai laissée faire mes mains.
Today, I let my hands take control.
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.