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
Ma Liberté
Isabelle Boulay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Longtemps je t'ai gardée
Comme une perle rare
Ma liberté
C'est toi qui m'as aidé
A larguer les amarres
Pour aller n'importe où
Pour aller jusqu'au bout
Pour cueillir en rêvant
Une rose des vents
Sur un rayon de lune
Ma liberté
Devant tes volontés
Mon âme était soumise
Ma liberté
Je t'avais tout donné
Ma dernière chemise
Et combien j'ai souffert
Pour pouvoir satisfaire
Tes moindres exigences
J'ai changé de pays
J'ai perdu mes amis
Pour gagner ta confiance
Ma liberté
Tu as su désarmer
Mes moindres habitudes
Ma liberté
Toi qui m'as fait aimer
Même la solitude
Toi qui m'as fait sourire
Quand je voyais finir
Une belle aventure
Toi qui m'as protégé
Quand j'allais me cacher
Pour soigner mes blessures
Ma liberté
Pourtant je t'ai quittée
Une nuit de décembre
J'ai déserté
Les chemins écartés
Que nous suivions ensemble
Lorsque sans me méfier
Les pieds et poings liés
Je me suis laissé faire
Et je t'ai trahie pour
Une prison d'amour
Et sa belle geôlière
Et je t'ai trahie pour
Une prison d'amour
Et sa belle geôlière
In Isabelle Boulay's song "Ma Liberté," the singer sings about their relationship with their freedom. Initially, the singer praises their freedom as a rare pearl that aided them in setting sail towards their own destiny. Freedom was once their guiding light, allowing them to go anywhere and explore new paths, even if it was challenging to do so. However, things change, and freedom begins to wield power over the singer. They gave their all to freedom, even sacrificing dear things like their friends and their former life. The singer considered freedom their master, something they submitted to and would do anything for—except, of course, when it came to love.
As the song progresses, the singer realizes that freedom has not only changed them, but it has also changed their habits and their way of life. They become a solitary figure who cherishes every moment of peace that freedom provides. Despite having to deal with the tough times, such as the pain of losing something they loved, freedom was a shield for them, protecting them from harm while they tend their wounds. However, in the end, they confess that they betrayed their freedom for the love of someone else who is like a prison guard, keeping them captive in a prison of love.
Overall, the song's lyrics express how one's relationship with freedom can change over time. While it can start as liberating and empowering, freedom could also turn into a master that one will do anything for, leading to eventual betrayal.
Line by Line Meaning
Ma liberté
My freedom
Longtemps je t'ai gardée
I held onto you for a long time
Comme une perle rare
Like a rare pearl
C'est toi qui m'as aidé
You were the one who helped me
A larguer les amarres
To cast off the moorings
Pour aller n'importe où
To go anywhere
Pour aller jusqu'au bout
To go all the way
Des chemins de fortune
On paths of fortune
Pour cueillir en rêvant
To pick, while dreaming
Une rose des vents
A compass rose
Sur un rayon de lune
On a moonbeam
Devant tes volontés
In front of your wishes
Mon âme était soumise
My soul was submitted
Je t'avais tout donné
I had given you everything
Ma dernière chemise
My very last shirt
Et combien j'ai souffert
And how much I suffered
Pour pouvoir satisfaire
To be able to satisfy
Tes moindres exigences
Your smallest demands
J'ai changé de pays
I changed countries
J'ai perdu mes amis
I lost my friends
Pour gagner ta confiance
To gain your trust
Tu as su désarmer
You were able to disarm
Mes moindres habitudes
My smallest habits
Toi qui m'as fait aimer
You who made me love
Même la solitude
Even solitude
Toi qui m'as fait sourire
You who made me smile
Quand je voyais finir
When I saw things ending
Une belle aventure
A beautiful adventure
Toi qui m'as protégé
You who protected me
Quand j'allais me cacher
When I went to hide
Pour soigner mes blessures
To heal my wounds
Pourtant je t'ai quittée
Yet I left you
Une nuit de décembre
One December night
J'ai déserté
I deserted
Les chemins écartés
The isolated paths
Que nous suivions ensemble
That we walked together
Lorsque sans me méfier
When without suspecting
Les pieds et poings liés
Feet and fists bound
Je me suis laissé faire
I let it happen
Et je t'ai trahie pour
And I betrayed you for
Une prison d'amour
A prison of love
Et sa belle geôlière
And its beautiful jailor
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Divine Love
C'est Parfait Isabelle!! 🌿🌹🌿
Stéphanie
Magnifique ! 💃
Yves Deforge
J'adore !!
Marie Thérèse Guillon
Super reprise par Isabelle boulay
Jardins Familiaux
reprise Isabelle Boulay 6 octobre 2014 a Marseille
MA LIBERTER GORGES MOUSTAKI REPRISE PAR ISABELLE BOULAY LE 6 OCTOBRE
randomguy58231
C'est la saison des vidéoclips en noir et blanc ou quoi?
Kazong Donald
C'est juste moi
radio camino
J aimerai savoir ce qu elle pense du comportement de son homme le garde des sceaux.. dans toutes ses affaires... Neutre ou revolte.....!!!
stephane crep
Je me tue, avec 759 vue,,,,,,
Raphaël Parienté
@⚜ Noah_GRAVITRAX ⚜ 😂😂