Béatrice has played the piano since the age of three, which was initiated by her mother, a professional pianist. She later played as a keyboardist in the post-hardcore band December Strikes First when she was 15 years old. In March 2007, after five years of music education, she started composing her own songs.
After a brief stint as keyboardist for Bonjour Brumaire, a French-Canadian Indie Rock/Indie Pop band, she released her solo debut album Cœur de pirate in 2008 on the Québécois independent record label Grosse Boîte. The album found much critical acclaim and was subsequently nominated for Francophone Album of the Year at the 2009 Juno Awards.
Des maisons
Cœur de Pirate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Y a un gros pâté d'maisons
Des maisons boîtes à surprises
Du plancher jusqu'au plafond
Des maisons, des maisons, des maisons, boîtes à surprise
Des maisons, des maisons, des maisons, boîtes à surprise
Qui brille, qui brille dans le noir
Y a une maison en forme de poire
Qui roule, qui roule sur l'trottoir
Y a une maison chapeau-melon
Aux escaliers en tire-bouchon
La, lala, lala lala, la, lala, lala
La
Sur la rue des toits-qui-frisent
Y a un gros pâté d'maisons
Des maisons boîtes à surprises
Du plancher jusqu'au plafond
Des maisons, des maisons, des maisons, boîtes à surprise
Des maisons, des maisons, des maisons, boîtes à surprise
La, lala, lala lala, la, lala, lala
La
Cœur De Pirate's song "Des maisons" revolves around the theme of surprise and wonder that come from exploring the different, quirky houses on a street. The first verse sets the scene, describing a block of houses that are "boîtes à surprises," or boxes of surprises, from floor to ceiling. As the song progresses, the lyrics dive deeper into the subject, describing three out of the numerous houses on the street. The first is a house made entirely out of mirrors that shines in the darkness, the second is a house shaped like a pear that rolls down the sidewalk, and finally, there's a house with a "chapeau-melon" (bowler hat) structure and winding spiral stairs. The chorus repeats the phrase "des maisons, des maisons, des maisons boîtes à surprise," emphasizing the sense of awe and excitement that comes with exploring each house.
The song captures the curiosity and imagination of a child, as they explore the world around them with endless wonder. The houses represent a world of excitement and new experiences, each one being different and unique. As the lyrics are sung in a playful melody, one can't help but feel a childlike joy and an urge to explore a street filled with "maisons boîtes à surprise."
"Des maisons" is a sweet and whimsical song that can be appreciated by all ages. Its playful lyrics and catchy melody make it an easy listen and a delightful piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Sur la rue des toits-qui-frisent
On the street of curled roofs
Y a un gros pâté d'maisons
There is a big block of houses
Des maisons boîtes à surprises
Houses full of surprises
Du plancher jusqu'au plafond
From floor to ceiling
Des maisons, des maisons, des maisons, boîtes à surprise
Houses, houses, houses, full of surprises
Y a une maison tout en miroirs
There is a house all in mirrors
Qui brille, qui brille dans le noir
That shines, that shines in the dark
Y a une maison en forme de poire
There is a house shaped like a pear
Qui roule, qui roule sur l'trottoir
That rolls, that rolls on the sidewalk
Y a une maison chapeau-melon
There is a house with a bowler hat
Aux escaliers en tire-bouchon
With spiral stairs
Sur la rue des toits-qui-frisent
On the street of curled roofs
Y a un gros pâté d'maisons
There is a big block of houses
Des maisons boîtes à surprises
Houses full of surprises
Du plancher jusqu'au plafond
From floor to ceiling
Des maisons, des maisons, des maisons, boîtes à surprise
Houses, houses, houses, full of surprises
Writer(s): Michèle Poirier, Pierre F. Brault
Contributed by Katherine H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.