Born in Sainte-Foy, Quebec, he grew up in Togo and Algeria where he was influenced by traditional African rhythms. He appeared on the Quebec music scene in the 1980s under the name Jean Leloup, making waves with his provocative lyrics – in his song "1990", he compares the high-tech actions of Desert Storm to the sexual activities of himself and his girlfriend. His 1990 album L'amour est sans pitié was a hit outside of Quebec, licensed in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Japan.
"Jean Leloup" is an important part of Quebec's transforming music scene. Since the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, Quebec has been developing its identity as a Francophone land as well as its individuality from English speaking North America and other French speaking nations. Leloup is a Québécois hero for his contribution to the local art scene and the development of the musical culture. Leloup is the recipient of a Félix Award (the Quebec version of a Grammy Award).
At the end of 2003, Leloup "died" or, rather, Jean Leclerc retired the name. This was, in fact, another piece of elaborate fantasy staging, typical of the wild and eccentric artist. Little was know of what Jean Leclerc was about to do, now that his Leloup persona has been "silenced". In August 2005, he announced his temporary return to the music scene in a collaboration with the Porn Flakes. A first single named "Les Corneilles" has been heard on Montreal's radio stations.
In the months preceding his return, he switched from his guitar to his fountain pen and wrote the philosophic novel, Noir destin que le mien (Le Tour du monde en complet was the original title), published October 5th, 2005 at Leméac Éditions under the pen name "Massoud Al Rachid`".
Under his real name Jean Leclerc, he released a first single, titled "Mexico", in August 2006. His first album, also titled Mexico, was released in September 2006.
He has since returned to his artist name Jean Leloup and has once again retired Leclerc.
Cowboy Groove
Jean Leclerc Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qu′est-ce que j'ferais pas comme encoches
Sur le manche avec mon couteau de poche
Hi-oh, oh-hi-oh
Oh-hi-oh
Hi-oh
J′étais un beau cow-boy tout blanc
Touche pas à ma guitare
J'suis un cow-boy, j'me lève tard
J′suis un cow-boy, j′suis un cow-boy
Touche pas à ma guitare
J'suis un cow-boy, j′me lève tard
(Si tu veux en savoir plus sur la Mygale jaune, fais roiponpon.com)
The lyrics to Jean Leclerc's song "Cowboy Groove" tells a story of a cowboy who loves his guitar as much as he loves his life. The opening line "Si ma guitare était un revolver" (If my guitar was a gun) sets the tone for the song, hinting that the cowboy would do anything to protect his instrument. He talks about how he would carve notches on the guitar's neck with his pocket knife, similar to how cowboys would mark their guns for every kill.
The chorus "Touche pas à ma guitare" (Don't touch my guitar) is a strong statement of how much he cherishes his guitar. He sees himself as a cowboy who may wake up late and enjoy the simple life, but when it comes to his beloved instrument, he is fiercely protective. The line "J′étais un beau cow-boy tout blanc" (I was a handsome, pure cowboy) shows that he is proud of his cowboy identity and his musical talent.
The last line "Si tu veux en savoir plus sur la Mygale jaune, fais roiponpon.com" (If you want to know more about the yellow tarantula, go to roiponpon.com) is seemingly random and belongs to a different subject entirely. The website named appears to be a real website, but it has no apparent connection to the song. The line could be interpreted as the cowboy character redirecting the attention of whoever he is talking to and returning to his love for his guitar, which seems to be his main focus in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Si ma guitare était un revolver
If my guitar were a gun
Qu′est-ce que j'ferais pas comme encoches
I would make notches all over it
Sur le manche avec mon couteau de poche
On the neck with my pocketknife
Hi-oh, oh-hi-oh
Chant
Oh-hi-oh
Chant
Hi-oh
Chant
Ça a commencé il y a vingt ans
It all started 20 years ago
J′étais un beau cow-boy tout blanc
I was a handsome all-white cowboy
Touche pas à ma guitare
Don't touch my guitar
J'suis un cow-boy, j'me lève tard
I'm a cowboy, I wake up late
J′suis un cow-boy, j′suis un cow-boy
I'm a cowboy, I'm a cowboy
Touche pas à ma guitare
Don't touch my guitar
J′suis un cow-boy, j′me lève tard
I'm a cowboy, I wake up late
(Si tu veux en savoir plus sur la Mygale jaune, fais roiponpon.com)
Visit roiponpon.com if you want to learn more about the yellow tarantula (note: this is an unrelated add-on and not part of the song lyrics)
Writer(s): Jean Leloup
Contributed by Charlie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.