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
Le Vieux Couple
Isabelle Boulay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
C´est que tu fais la voix du haut
C´est toi qui sais, c´est toi qui dis
C´est toi qui penses et moi je suis
Mais les grands soirs lorsque tu pleures
Quand tu as peur dans ta chaloupe
C´est moi qui parle pendant des heures
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
Je n´sais plus où je t´ai connu
C´est à l´école ou au guignol
Je me rappelle cet ingénu
Qui avait perdu la boussole
Depuis je t´empêche de boire
Sauf les grands soirs dans ta chaloupe
Quand tu me chantes tes déboires
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
Avec ta tête d´épagneul
Qui n´a pas appris à nager
Avec ma gueule à rester seul
Derrière des demis panachés
Quand les grands soirs dans ta chaloupe
Nous parlons de tes états d´âme
Et que tu diffames ma femme
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
Le 16 août 1960
J´ai marié cette dame charmante
Cinq jours après j´étais parti
Et tu me bordais dans mon lit
Alors a commencé la nuit
Alors a commencé la nuit
Dont on se croyait les étoiles
Mais on n´était que les cigales
On s´est battu, on s´est perdu
Tu as souvent refait ta vie
Et le plus beau, tu m´as trahi
Mais tu ne m´en as pas voulu
Et les grands soirs dans ta chaloupe
Tu connais bien mes habitudes
Je connais bien ta solitude
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
Mon ami, mon copain, mon frère
Ma vieille chance, ma galère
Mon enfant, mon Judas, mon juge
Ma réassurance, mon refuge
Mon frère, mon faux-monnayeur
Mon ami, mon valet de cœur
Je ne voudrais pas que tu meures
Je ne voudrais pas que tu meures
The song "Le Vieux Couple" by Isabelle Boulay talks about a long-standing relationship between two people who have learned to live and support each other despite their differences. The lyrics imply that the singer and their partner have been together for a long time and have faced challenges and opportunities to break apart or betray each other but have stayed with each other. The singer admires the traits that their partner possesses and appreciates how they complement each other in a musical duo.
The lyrics of "Le Vieux Couple" reflect on a relationship that has grown and evolved over time. The lines "Mais les grands soirs lorsque tu pleures/Quand tu as peur dans ta chaloupe" illustrate moments where the couple has to rely on each other when one is weak or fearful. The song's repetition of the phrase "nous sommes en somme un vieux couple" reinforces this theme of long-term companionship, and how the couple has come to understand and anticipate each other's needs.
The lyrics also mention the ups and downs of their relationship, including struggles with alcoholism, infidelity, and arguments. Despite these challenges, the singer and their partner have stayed together and developed a close bond. The song's final lines express the love the singer has for their partner and a fear of losing them in the future.
Overall, "Le Vieux Couple" celebrates the resilience and strength of a long-lasting relationship through its ups and downs. The song highlights the importance of understanding and supporting one another, even when things get tough.
Line by Line Meaning
Ce qui me plaît dans ce duo
I love our duet
C´est que tu fais la voix du haut
You take the high notes
C´est toi qui sais, c´est toi qui dis
You know best, you speak first
C´est toi qui penses et moi je suis
You think, I follow
Mais les grands soirs lorsque tu pleures
But on the big nights when you cry
Quand tu as peur dans ta chaloupe
When you're scared in your boat
C´est moi qui parle pendant des heures
I talk for hours
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
We're like an old couple
Je n´sais plus où je t´ai connu
I don't remember where I met you
C´est à l´école ou au guignol
Maybe at school or the puppet show
Je me rappelle cet ingénu
I remember that naive boy
Qui avait perdu la boussole
Who had lost his way
Depuis je t´empêche de boire
Since then, I stopped you from drinking
Sauf les grands soirs dans ta chaloupe
Except on big nights in your boat
Quand tu me chantes tes déboires
When you sing your troubles to me
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
We're like an old couple
Avec ta tête d´épagneul
With your spaniel-like face
Qui n´a pas appris à nager
And your lack of swimming skills
Avec ma gueule à rester seul
And my face that shows I'll always be alone
Derrière des demis panachés
Drinking half-and-half beers
Quand les grands soirs dans ta chaloupe
When on the big nights in your boat
Nous parlons de tes états d´âme
We talk about your feelings
Et que tu diffames ma femme
And you insult my wife
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
We're like an old couple
Le 16 août 1960
On August 16, 1960
J´ai marié cette dame charmante
I married that lovely lady
Cinq jours après j´étais parti
But five days later, I left
Et tu me bordais dans mon lit
And you tucked me in bed
Alors a commencé la nuit
And then the night began
Dont on se croyait les étoiles
We thought we were the stars
Mais on n´était que les cigales
But we were just cicadas
On s´est battu, on s´est perdu
We fought, we lost
Tu as souvent refait ta vie
You've often started over
Et le plus beau, tu m´as trahi
And the best part, you betrayed me
Mais tu ne m´en as pas voulu
But you didn't hold it against me
Et les grands soirs dans ta chaloupe
And on big nights in your boat
Tu connais bien mes habitudes
You know my habits well
Je connais bien ta solitude
I know your loneliness well
Nous sommes en somme un vieux couple
We're like an old couple
Mon ami, mon copain, mon frère
My friend, my buddy, my brother
Ma vieille chance, ma galère
My old luck, my trouble
Mon enfant, mon Judas, mon juge
My child, my Judas, my judge
Ma réassurance, mon refuge
My reassurance, my refuge
Mon frère, mon faux-monnayeur
My brother, my counterfeiter
Mon ami, mon valet de cœur
My friend, my jack of hearts
Je ne voudrais pas que tu meures
I don't want you to die
Je ne voudrais pas que tu meures
I don't want you to die
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACQUES DATIN, JEAN LOUP DABADIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind