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...
Sans Rancune
Corneille Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tu aurais voulu écrire les vers de mon destin
Tu aurais voulu que tous mes rêves soient les tiens
Tu avais prévu que j'effacerai see'que tu regrettes
Que je reprenne tes batailles, les choses non faites
Seulement voilà, see'est à moi de faire ma vie
Ca te déçoit mais see'est comme ça
Que ce soient les bons ou pas
{Refrain:}
Sans rancune, la première étoile que je décroche, je te la donne, sans rancune
Sans rancune, la première place dans mon rêve je te la réserve, sans rancune
Sans rancune, la première étoile que je décroche, je te la donne, sans rancune
Sans rancune, la première place dans mon rêve je te la réserve, sans rancune
Aujourd'hui il faut que je devienne quelqu'un
Un docteur, un politicien, quelqu'un de bien
Tu as failli étouffer mes dons, mes rêves d'enfance (mes rêves)
Je suis désolé mais il faudrait que je prenne ma chance
Ne m'en veux pas, see'est à moi de faire ma vie
Ca te déçoit mais see'est comme ça
Ne m'en veux pas, see'est moi qui vis mes choix
Que ce soit les bons ou pas
{au Refrain}
The song "Sans Rancune" by Corneille is about a person who is trying to find their own way in life without being held back by their past. The lyrics are addressed to someone who has tried to control the singer's life and dreams, and who wanted the singer to live their life the way they had planned. However, the singer has decided to pursue their own path and make their own decisions, even if it means disappointing the other person. The chorus, "sans rancune," which means "without resentment," emphasizes that the singer is not holding any grudges and is willing to share their successes with the other person.
The first verse speaks directly to the other person's desire to control the singer's destiny. They wanted to write the verses of the singer's fate and make all their dreams their own. The third and fourth lines suggest that the other person may have had some regrets or unfinished business that they wanted the singer to take care of, but the singer has decided to let go of those expectations and pursue their own goals.
The second verse talks about the singer's desire to become someone important, such as a doctor or politician, and how the other person had almost stifled their childhood dreams. They apologize but make it clear that they must take their chances and live their life according to their choices, good or bad.
Overall, the song is about personal growth and the importance of making one's own choices, even if it means disappointing others. It's a message of hope and reconciliation, emphasizing that it's possible to move forward without holding grudges.
Line by Line Meaning
Sans rancune, sans rancune
No hard feelings, let bygones be bygones
Tu aurais voulu écrire les vers de mon destin
You wished to write the verses of my destiny
Tu aurais voulu que tous mes rêves soient les tiens
You wished that all my dreams to be yours
Tu avais prévu que j'effacerai see'que tu regrettes
You had foreseen that I would erase what you regret
Que je reprenne tes batailles, les choses non faites
That I take up your battles, the undone things
Seulement voilà, see'est à moi de faire ma vie
But here's the thing, it's up to me to make my life
Ca te déçoit mais see'est comme ça
It disappoints you, but that's how it is
Seulement voilà, see'est moi qui vis mes choix
But here's the thing, it's me who lives my choices
Que ce soient les bons ou pas
Whether they are good or not
{Refrain:}
Chorus:
Sans rancune, la première étoile que je décroche, je te la donne, sans rancune
No hard feelings, the first star that I reach, I give to you, no hard feelings
Sans rancune, la première place dans mon rêve je te la réserve, sans rancune
No hard feelings, the first place in my dream, I reserve for you, no hard feelings
Sans rancune, la première étoile que je décroche, je te la donne, sans rancune
No hard feelings, the first star that I reach, I give to you, no hard feelings
Sans rancune, la première place dans mon rêve je te la réserve, sans rancune
No hard feelings, the first place in my dream, I reserve for you, no hard feelings
Aujourd'hui il faut que je devienne quelqu'un
Today, I have to become someone
Un docteur, un politicien, quelqu'un de bien
A doctor, a politician, someone good
Tu as failli étouffer mes dons, mes rêves d'enfance (mes rêves)
You almost stifled my talents, my childhood dreams (my dreams)
Je suis désolé mais il faudrait que je prenne ma chance
I am sorry, but I have to take my chance
Ne m'en veux pas, see'est à moi de faire ma vie
Don't hold it against me, it's up to me to make my life
Ca te déçoit mais see'est comme ça
It disappoints you, but that's how it is
Ne m'en veux pas, see'est moi qui vis mes choix
Don't hold it against me, it's me who lives my choices
Que ce soit les bons ou pas
Whether they are good or not
{au Refrain}
(Back to Chorus)
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Written by: CORNEILLE NYUNGURA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind