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...
Le paradis
Corneille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Et si le bout de mes rêves, mes rêves
N'était qu'un bout de toi?
Et si au bout des tes lèvres, tes lèvres
Renaissait un autre moi?
Et si le bonheur qui me fait perdre haleine
N'était pas plus que ça?
Le coup d'œil à l'au-delà?
Et si on n'a que la vie
Qu'est-ce qu'on attend, allumons le feu
Et si on n'est que la nuit
Je fais de nous mon dernier vœu
Tu n'as qu'à dire un mot
Prends le temps qu'il faut
Et si c'était toi, mon paradis?
Et si c'était moi, ton paradis?
Quand on fait ensemble nous sommes, nous sommes indéfinis
Je sais qu'ensemble nous sommes, nous sommes notre infini
Et si c'était ça, le paradis?
Et si dans le fond de tes yeux se révélait un fond de moi
Et si dans le chaud de ton corps je retrouvais enfin la foi
Et si le malheur lui seul dit que tu ne me remarques pas
De quoi aurais-je peur maintenant, maintenant
Je le sais, je le sais que tu ne vois que moi
Tu n'as qu'à dire un mot
Prends le temps qu'il faut
Et si c'était toi, mon paradis?
(Si c'était toi) et si c'était moi, ton paradis?
Quand on fait ensemble nous sommes, nous sommes indéfinis
Je sais qu'ensemble nous sommes, nous sommes notre infini
Et si c'était ça, le paradis?
Mon paradis
The song "Le Paradis" by Corneille is a beautiful love song that captures the intense emotions felt between two people who are deeply in love. The lyrics are a reflection on the depths of love and the possibility that one person can be another's paradise. The song explores the idea that love is a connection that transcends the physical plane and can take us to a place of infinite bliss.
The first verse shows the singer questioning whether their dreams are just a reflection of their lover. The idea that their lover holds within them another aspect of themselves, and that the happiness derived from their relationship is more than just temporary. The second verse continues with the theme of the infinite possibilities that love can create, and how it can be a source of unending happiness. The chorus brings all these themes together, with the idea that together we are our paradise, and that true love is an indescribable feeling that can only be understood through experiencing it.
As the song progresses, we see how the two lovers are completely connected, and how they complete each other in ways others cannot. In the final verse, the singer expresses how they have found faith in their lover's touch, and that even in the worst of times, their love is enough to overcome any hardship. The song ultimately ends on a hopeful note, with the singer convinced that their love is their paradise.
Overall, "Le Paradis" is a heart-warming and powerful love song that celebrates the beauty of love, and how it can create an unbreakable connection between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Eh, mon paradis
The singer addresses their lover as their paradise.
Et si le bout de mes rêves, mes rêves
What if the end of the singer's dreams was just a part of their lover?
N'était qu'un bout de toi?
What if their dreams were only a small piece of their lover?
Et si au bout des tes lèvres, tes lèvres
What if there was another version of the artist waiting at the end of their lover's lips?
Renaissait un autre moi?
What if the artist could find a new version of themselves through their lover's kiss?
Et si le bonheur qui me fait perdre haleine
What if the happiness that takes their breath away...
N'était pas plus que ça?
...wasn't more than just that?
Et si l'amour avec toi, avec toi c'était ça
What if this is what love feels like with their lover?
Le coup d'œil à l'au-delà?
A glimpse of the afterlife?
Et si on n'a que la vie
What if this is all the life they have?
Qu'est-ce qu'on attend, allumons le feu
What are we waiting for? Let's ignite the fire.
Et si on n'est que la nuit
What if all they have is the darkness?
Je fais de nous mon dernier vœu
The singer makes their lover their last wish.
Tu n'as qu'à dire un mot
All the lover has to do is say a word.
Prends le temps qu'il faut
Take all the time needed to make a decision.
Et si c'était toi, mon paradis?
What if the artist's lover is their paradise?
Et si c'était moi, ton paradis?
What if the artist is their lover's paradise?
Quand on fait ensemble nous sommes, nous sommes indéfinis
When they are together, they are undefined.
Je sais qu'ensemble nous sommes, nous sommes notre infini
The singer is sure that when they are together, they are infinite.
Et si c'était ça, le paradis?
What if this is what paradise actually feels like?
Et si dans le fond de tes yeux se révélait un fond de moi
What if the lover could see a part of the artist within their eyes?
Et si dans le chaud de ton corps je retrouvais enfin la foi
What if the artist found their faith in their lover's warmth?
Et si le malheur lui seul dit que tu ne me remarques pas
What if it was only hardship that kept their lover from noticing them?
De quoi aurais-je peur maintenant, maintenant
What could the artist possibly fear now?
Je le sais, je le sais que tu ne vois que moi
The singer knows their lover only sees them.
Mon paradis
The singer reiterates that their lover is their paradise.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Sofia De Medeiros, Uche Ben Ebele, Obi Fred Ebele, Corneille Nyungura, Andreas Hagos
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lacreamofthecrop8997
Je comprends toujours pas pourquoi cette chanson épique n'a pas plusieurs millions de visionnements ! On y ressent toute l'amour de corneille pour l'humanité et sa chère femme :)
@corneille
Réactions de fou au clip!!!! Ça me fait trop plaisir. Merci !!!
@gwennaellegaude1134
Bravo pour ce clip ! :) Il colle parfaitement à la chanson, on ne voit pas passer les 3:28 & on se dit même déjà fini !! Tu montres combien la personne qui nous accompagnes dans la vie, est notre paradis à chacun ! Toi & ta femme vous êtes juste Wahhououu ! Du Grand Corneille! On valide total, et merci après toutes ces années de carrière de continuer à nous faire rêver!! C'est le Paradis! #Enjoy #TeamFamily
@pascalesimon9689
Magnifique hymne à la vie et à l'amitier. Que cette bonne humeur soit contagieuse. Merci
@gabrielcrevel5735
Super clip ! Chanson bien interprété que du bonheur :p
@safiazdn
J'adore, ses chansons ne sont jamais les mêmes, et celle ci fait rêver surtout, si seulement les garçons d'aujourd'hui pouvaient être romantique, ah lala :-)
@shannarobichaud-pasteur6222
Omg je peut pas m'empêcher de la réécouter en boucle magnifique chanson jadore :)
@Toxicolique
J'adore cette chanson ! J'ai toujours rêvé qu'un jour la scène artistique francophone s'investira beaucoups plus dans la musique électronique avec ses vocals entraînant. Cette chanson prouve qu'elle peut avoir une place pour les boîtes de nuit ! MERCI !
@MarijaDk
Corneille tu as une voix incroyable! Je suis vraiment fan de tes musiques!! Continue comme ça, tu es le meilleur!! ;-)
@celinefernandez867
merveilleuse chanson Corneille!! elle donne la peche et envie de sourire :) paroles magnifiques :) Milles merci pour cette chanson!!!!