Corneille developed an interest in music early on, and it was an interest his father supported and encouraged. His influences included Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole as well as Prince and other artists.
At 16 years old Corneille made his first recording, and was selected as a finalist in a music contest sponsored by the state run television station in Kigali. Corneille's childhood could be characterized as normal for a somewhat privileged youth brought up in a family with caring, highly educated parents.
Daily life in Kigali changed dramatically in 1994, when former President Habyarimana was assassinated, and the largest, most horrific genocide in modern history claimed over 800,000 victims.
Corneille managed to escape first to Kinshasa, and then to Germany, where he was adopted by friends of his parents. He stayed in Germany for three years completing his baccalaureate studies, before arriving ultimately in Montréal. Corneille enrolled in University when he landed in Montréal, but his focus was immediately diverted to music.
In Montréal at 20 years old, Corneille formed a band called O.N.E., meaning Original New Element. O.N.E. achieved modest success, thanks in part to a Ms. Jodi Richards, who supported and advised the band. When O.N.E. disbanded in 2001, Corneille again turned to Ms. Richards for advice. Ms. Richards imparted the belief that you are only an artist when you know what your art means, which became a guiding principal for Corneille.
In 2002 Corneille released his first studio album, 'Parce Qu'on Vient de Loin.' Initially, 'Parce Qu'on Vient de Loin' went for the most part unnoticed in Canada, but due in large part to promotional efforts made by Wagram, Corneille's label in France, Corneille's first album's sales skyrocketed. 'Ensemble' and 'Sans Rancunes,' were the first two hit singles from the album. Sales of 'Parce Qu'on Vient de Loin' gathered powerful momentum, but the album was still virtually unnoticed in Canada. DKD's (now DEJA Musique CEO) Janie Duquette completely re-released the album, with 'Rêves de Star' as the first single. By 2004 sales of 'Parce Qu'on Vient de Loin' on both sides of the Atlantic were booming. With sales reaching Platinum status in Canada, Corneille received his first Felix Award for Best Male Artist selected by the public at the 'Gala de la Disque' in Montréal. Meanwhile in France sales of the album reached over 500,000 copies.
In 2005 Corneille's ascent continued, as he recorded a song with Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour, in support of Unicef and the fight against AIDS. Corneille is a Red Cross Canada spokeperson, has been made a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, and continues to be active in those and other humanitarian roles.
In 2005 Corneille's second studio album, 'Les Marchands de Rêves' was released to rave critical reviews.
In 2007, Corneille earned and signed contracts with Sony Music Japan, and with UniversalMotown for the World ex-Japan (SMJI), France (Wagram) & Canada (DEJA). With these partners, as well as Universal Music Group partners in the UK and elsewhere, and with help from all of you at corneille.ca, Corneille's fanbase is becoming truly global.
On November 20, 2007, Corneille was given the award for best International Singer-songwriter by SOCAN. Look for 'The Birth of Cornelius' US' release on UniversalMOTOWN in Spring 2008. Corneille, a man of this world, and an artist whose time is now...
Back to Life
Corneille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And still, you took my hand
And held me out of numbness
Became my truest friend
I’d been running looking for a home
But when you saw me out of breath
From running on my own
Now that I’m recovering
I’m so glad for one thing only
I’m so, so glad I let you in
Because
Woman
You loved me back to life
You loved me back to life
Your love’s that powerful
No one could ever seem to bring me to fall
And God knows they’ve tried
But you could see through my wall
Even when I tried to hide
And I know it hasn’t been easy baby
And I know you hadn’t signed up to save me baby
But here we are now, and better off now, in love
I could tell of your pain too
And I’ll die trying to love it away
But this much I owe you
If I can say
Woman
You loved me back to life
You loved me back to life
Your love’s that powerful
Maybe, now you can tell me you need me to
Maybe, now I can be all that for you
Maybe, now we can finally say we do
This ain’t no ordinary love
Not when a grown man can say
You loved me back to life
You loved me back to life
Your love’s a miracle
I think I’m gonna have to say it again and again and again
I said
Woman
You loved me back to life
You loved me back to life
Your love’s that powerful
The lyrics of Corneille's "Back to Life" tell the story of the singer's journey from despair to hope through the love of a woman. The opening lines describe the singer's state as a "mess" when the woman in question found him. Despite this, she reaches out and pulls him from a state of numbness, becoming his closest friend. The singer describes how he had been searching for a place to belong before meeting this woman but was unable to find it. However, when she saw him out of breath from running on his own, she "kissed [him] out of death" and brought him back to life.
The middle section of the song describes how the woman was able to break down the singer's walls, even when others had failed. The lyrics acknowledge that it was not an easy task for her and that she did not sign up to "save" him. Nevertheless, the couple is now "better off...in love." The singer acknowledges that he owes her a debt for her love and support and that he will "die trying to love [her] pain away."
The final verse is a declaration of the couple's love for one another. The singer suggests that they have now both found the strength to openly express their feelings and that their love is not "ordinary." The chorus repeats the phrase "you loved me back to life" as a way of acknowledging the woman's transformative impact on the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
You found me such a mess
When we first met, I was in a bad state
And still, you took my hand
Despite my mess, you extended a helping hand
And held me out of numbness
You helped me feel again and not be numb
Became my truest friend
You became my closest and most loyal friend
I’d been running looking for a home
I was searching for a place where I belonged
But when you saw me out of breath
When you saw me struggling and tired
From running on my own
From trying to make it on my own
Is when you kissed me out of death
That's when you saved me from drowning
Now that I’m recovering
Now that I'm getting better
I’m so glad for one thing only
I'm grateful for one thing above all else
I’m so, so glad I let you in
I'm incredibly happy that I allowed you into my life
Because
That's the reason for all this joy
Woman
Addressing the person he's singing to
You loved me back to life
Your love saved me from self-destruction
Your love’s that powerful
It's a testament to the strength of your love
No one could ever seem to bring me to fall
I was resistant to the help of others
And God knows they’ve tried
Many people tried to help me, but failed
But you could see through my wall
You were able to see past my defenses
Even when I tried to hide
Even when I didn't want to be seen
And I know it hasn’t been easy baby
I know it's been tough for you, my dear
And I know you hadn’t signed up to save me baby
You didn't have to take on this responsibility
But here we are now, and better off now, in love
But we're here now, and everything's better because of your love
I could tell of your pain too
You've been through hardship as well
And I’ll die trying to love it away
I'm willing to do anything to ease your pain
But this much I owe you
I'm indebted to you for everything you've done for me
If I can say
If I can express myself accurately
Maybe, now you can tell me you need me to
Perhaps now you can rely on me too
Maybe, now I can be all that for you
Perhaps I can care for you as you've cared for me
Maybe, now we can finally say we do
Perhaps we can finally express our love for each other
This ain’t no ordinary love
Our love is special and unique
Not when a grown man can say
Not when even a grown man like me can admit
Your love’s a miracle
Your love is nothing short of miraculous
I think I’m gonna have to say it again and again and again
I know I'll have to repeat this many times
I said
He's repeating himself one last time
Woman
Addressing the person he's singing to
You loved me back to life
Your love saved me from self-destruction
Your love’s that powerful
It's a testament to the strength of your love
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Written by: CORNEILLE NYUNGURA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elle Jaie
Love this song!
MrMorninjoe
this is one of my favorite songs by Corneille...love this song..
Ayana Douglas
this guy does not have enough exposure!!! His voice is awesome
Rainmaker Johnson
This song is so powerful. Simply Beautiful. Merci!
Hannah Ryder
I LOVE this song <3
SHEILA POLK
I'm Mesmerized, This Is What Love Sounds Like ..Yes , Absolutely ✌️
Lele Phillip
Still a classic in December 2021
Andrea Pérez
really sweet voice!! :)
Audra M
Still listening since I first saw you perform on the Monique Show <3
GuitarGoddess01
We listened to him in French the other day and I thought his voice was beautiful. I'm so happy he sings in English though.