Isabelle Boulay (born 6 July 1972 in Sainte-Félicité, Quebec) is a francoph… Read Full Bio ↴Isabelle Boulay (born 6 July 1972 in Sainte-Félicité, Quebec) is a francophone Canadian pop singer.

In 1990, some friends recorded her at the Petite-Vallée song festival without her consent, but she completed a performance there and was regarded as a huge success. The following year she won at the Granby song festival for her rendition of Jacques Brel's "Amsterdam". That same year she was invited to take part in the festival Les FrancoFolies de Montréal.

In 1993 she represented Radio Canada at the "Truffe de Périgueux" festival held in Périgord, France. She carried off the prize for Best Singer in the "chanson francophone" (French song) category. Following her success in France, she was noticed by songwriter Luc Plamondon who was looking for emerging talents to perform in a new production of his rock opera Starmania. There, Boulay portrayed the role of Marie-Jeanne.

In 1996, Isabelle Boulay provided the singing voice for Alys Robi in the television series of the same name. She released her debut album, Fallait pas, that year.

Two years later, came "États d’amour" an album that included some of her most popular songs. "Je t’oublierai, je t’oublierai", "La lune" or "Le saule".

The following years were filled with success and recognition all over the world. In that time her albums "Scènes d’amour", which included thirteen live duets and "Mieux qu'ici-bas" were released. This last one became an instant success.

"Au moment d'être à vous" was again recorded live in Montreal in 2002. Acompanied by the Symphonic Orchestra of Montreal, she performed her favourite songs from many composers.

"Tout un Jour" was released in 2004 and it included 14 new songs.

"Du Temps pour Toi" was recorded live at L'Olympia in Paris and released in 2005 and a DVD of the concert was also released.

In 2007, she went back to her childhood memories and songs and recorded a Country music album called "De Retour à la source"

In the spring of 2008 she released an album produced in France, "Nos Lendemains" that you can hear in her official site: www.isabelleboulay.ca

Aller simple
Isabelle Boulay Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Je suis partie
Depuis si longtemps
Le train de ma vie
Ne s'arrête pas souvent
Et toi qui attends
Sur le quai de la gare
De notre histoire

Tu es resté
À la croisée des chemins
Mon nom gravé
Sur les lignes de ta main
Déchirants souvenirs
Devoir me départir
De ton étreinte

Est-ce qu'on s'est aimés
Est-ce qu'on s'est fait du mal
Est-ce qu'on s'est pardonné
Oh, oh, oh
Je voudrais revenir
Sans avoir à choisir
Entre le passé et l'avenir
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Je suis partie
Affronter mes peurs
Attiser ma vie
Apaiser la douleur
Peut-être après la pluie
Retrouver le sourire
Pour te l'offrir

Est-ce que j't'ai aimé
Est-ce que j't'ai fait du mal
Est-ce que tu m'as pardonné
Oh, oh, oh
Je voudrais revenir
Sans avoir à subir
Un passé sans avenir
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Est-ce qu'on s'est aimés
Est-ce qu'on s'est fait du mal
Est-ce qu'on s'est pardonné
Oh, oh, oh
Je voudrais revenir
Sans avoir à choisir
Entre le passé et l'avenir
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

Je suis partie
Depuis si longtemps

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Isabelle Boulay's song Aller Simple describes the singer's departure from their love for a long time. The train of their life doesn't stop often, symbolizing the fast pace of their journey. The person they left behind is still waiting at the station, a poignant metaphor for their relationship. The second verse suggests that the singer left with a heavy heart, as their lover's name is engraved on the lines of their hand, a permanent reminder of their love. The act of leaving was painful, as the singer must leave their embrace. The chorus is a series of questions: Did they love each other? Did they hurt each other? Did they forgive each other? The singer expresses a desire to return without having to choose between the past and the future, wishing for a way to make things right without the pain of loss and regret.

Line by Line Meaning

Je suis partie
I left

Depuis si longtemps
For so long

Le train de ma vie
The train of my life

Ne s'arrête pas souvent
Doesn't stop often

Et toi qui attends
And you who is waiting

Sur le quai de la gare
On the platform

De notre histoire
Of our story

Tu es resté
You stayed

À la croisée des chemins
At the crossroads

Mon nom gravé
My name engraved

Sur les lignes de ta main
On the lines of your hand