Nashville Ou Belleville
Eddy Mitchell Lyrics

Boulevard "Elvis"
The Boulevard Elvis in Memphis, Tennessee, named after the famous musician, is my destination as a tourist.

Au cœur de Memphis
I'm in the heart of Memphis, where the legendary Sun Studio and other important musical landmarks are located.

J'traîne là en touriste
I'm just hanging out here as a casual observer, taking in everything Memphis has to offer.

Mais où sont mes racines, Nashville ou Belleville?
Despite my love for Memphis and the surrounding musical heritage, I can't help but wonder where my true roots lie — in country music mecca Nashville or my own hometown of Belleville?

Jerry Lee Lewis, rrrr!
Jerry Lee Lewis, one of the founding fathers of rock and roll and a piano virtuoso, is the symbol of the raw energy and passion of the genre.

"Killer" et pianiste
Lewis is known as "the Killer" because of his explosive performances, but he's also an incredibly talented pianist.

"Barbe Bleue" sudiste
In addition to his music, Lewis was known for his love life, which included multiple marriages and a scandalous relationship with his 13-year-old cousin, earning him the nickname "Blue Beard" in the American South.

Sait même pas si j'existe sans faire de racisme
Despite his musical talent, Lewis has also been tainted by controversy due to his comments about race, leaving me conflicted about the extent to which he still matters.

Mouflet
This word does not have a clear meaning, but may refer to Mitchell's nostalgia for his youth.

J'allais voir Luis Mariano
As a child, I enjoyed watching the famous Spanish tenor Luis Mariano perform in the popular musical "The Singer of Mexico" at the Opéra Garnier in Paris.

Dans "Le chanteur de Mexico"
This was the name of the musical I saw, which left a lasting impression on me.

Maman, et moi on rentrait en métro, Station Opéra, direction Lilas
After the show, my mother and I would take the subway back home to Lilas.

Nostalgie facile mais swing pas terrible
Although I have fond memories of those times, the music from that era doesn't compare to the infectious rhythms of rock and roll.

Monsieur Bill Haley
Bill Haley, a rock and roll pioneer, was one of the first musicians to popularize the genre in the 1950s, before even Elvis Presley.

Bien avant Presley (ouais, je les connais les deux, là!)
I'm well acquainted with both Haley and Presley, but Haley was here first and deserves recognition for his contributions to the genre.

Déjà décoiffait
Haley had a wild, energetic style that was just as memorable as his music.

M'éclatant la tête avec ses "Comets"
Haley and his band, the Comets, were known for their riveting live performances that left audiences exhilarated.

Et Place des fêtes / Sur nos mobylettes / On singeait James Dean
As a teenager growing up in Belleville, my friends and I would ride around on our mopeds, pretending to be like James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause," even if we were really more like amateur players in our own little drama.

Mais où sont mes racines, Nashville ou Belleville?
No matter how much I enjoy reminiscing about my youth and the music that defined it, I can't help but wonder where I really belong, whether in my hometown or in the Nashville that defines so much of American music culture.

Où sont mes racines, Nashville ou Belleville? / Où sont mes racines, Nashville ou Belleville, où?
My search for a sense of identity and belonging continues, as I contemplate this fundamental question about where I come from and who I am.

J's'rais bien en touriste
Regardless of where my roots are, part of me will always be a curious onlooker, content just to explore the world around me.

À Nashville? (près d'Elvis) / Ou Belleville?
Whether it's in Nashville or Belleville, I'm still not sure where I'll truly find myself.

Mais où sont mes racines?
This is a question that may never be fully answered, as the search for personal identity and self-discovery often leads us down unexpected paths.

Mais où sont mes racines, Nashville ou Belleville?
Despite my uncertainty, this query will always be at the heart of my art and my life, as I continue to explore the themes and motifs that have shaped me as a songwriter and as a person.

Mais où sont mes racines, Nashville ou Belleville?
This repetition underscores the importance of this question and the struggles that come with it, as I try to reconcile my own sense of self with the complex cultural and musical legacies that surround me.

Mais où sont mes racines, Nashville ou Belleville?
No matter how many times I ask this question, the answer remains elusive and open-ended, a reflection of the ongoing process of self-discovery and personal growth that defines us all.

Boulevard Elvis!
This final line serves as both an exclamation and a reminder of my own past, as I continue to seek out the music and the culture that has shaped me as a person and as an artist.