Peyroux started singing at the age of fifteen, when she discovered street musicians in the Latin Quarter in Paris. She joined a group called the Riverboat Shufflers, first passing round the hat, and then singing. At sixteen she joined the The Lost Wandering Blues and Jazz Band, spending two years touring Europe performing songs by the likes of Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and others, which provided the basis for her first album, Dreamland.
Dreamland was released in 1996, and gained widespread attention. Time called it "the most exciting, involving vocal performance by a new singer this year". Dreamland, is a brilliant recording, as Peyroux's distinctive voice is not hindered by overly intricate arrangements. Most of the accompaniment on the record is light and sparse, the way it should be for a singer with such a unique voice. Peyroux soon found herself opening for Sarah McLachlan and Cesária Évora, and made appearances at jazz festivals and on the Lilith Fair tour.
In May 2002 she joined multi-instrumentalist William Galison, and together they appeared at such venues as the Bottom Line, Joe's Pub, and the Tin Angel. In 2003 the duo released a seven-song EP entitled Got You on My Mind, which they sold at shows and online. Got You on My Mind was re-released by William Galison in August 2004; the original EP was expanded by the addition of four tracks by Gallison.
Peyroux released her own sophomore effort, Careless Love, in September 2004. The album received generally positive reviews.
Her new album, Half the Perfect World, was released on September 12, 2006. She collaborated with several artists, including Jesse Harris, Walter Becker, Larry Klein (who also produced the album), and K.d. lang, with whom Peyroux duets on a cover of the Joni Mitchell song, "River".
On July 12, 2007, she was awarded Best International Jazz Artist at the BBC Jazz Awards.
08. Homeless Happiness
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remembering who I used to be
The life I have now is much more appealing
No hurries no worries for me
A bench by the shore a coat for my pillow
A future with no guarantee
The world was a rat race and I had my fill oh
Homeless Happiness
My castle's the stars and the sea
Homeless Happiness
If this door is freedom then I've found the key
The house and the car, those people around us
Were really for you not for me
We worked for the dream, alas all that bound us
Were hurries and worries you see
Homeless Happiness
My castle's the stars and the sea
Homeless Happiness
If this door is freedom then I've found the key
I'm keeping my word I'm right where we parted
My story is simple enough
Since I left behind all the plans that we charted
No hurries no worries my love
In "Homeless Happiness," Madeleine Peyroux expresses her contentment being homeless and finding happiness in simplicity. She starts by reminiscing about her past and finding her current life more appealing with no hurries and worries. She then refers to the bench by the shore, where she sleeps and her coat as a pillow. This shows her appreciation for anything that she has, regardless of its quality. She realizes that the world was a rat race and a future with no guarantee, and that's why she values her current state of living. She finds happiness in being homeless and not needing much to survive.
Peyroux then contrasts the expectations society places on individuals, such as owning a house, car, and working for a dream. She realizes that those things were not for her, but rather for the people around her. She highlights the rat race's futility as what bound her to it was the hurries and worries, which impacted her happiness. Peyroux continues to sing about her love for homeless happiness and finding freedom in it. She values this happiness as she has found what works for her and left everything else behind.
Overall, "Homeless Happiness" is a reflection of the happiness that comes with simplicity, minimalism, and being content with the little things in life. This song shows how minimalist living can bring freedom and happiness. Peyroux's lyrics encourage listeners to appreciate and value what they have, regardless of their quality or quantity.
Line by Line Meaning
I sit here content, my thoughts and my feelings
I am sitting here satisfied, reflecting on my emotions and innermost thoughts.
Remembering who I used to be
Reminiscing about my past self.
The life I have now is much more appealing
My current lifestyle is much more enjoyable than before.
No hurries no worries for me
I have no rush or stress in my life.
A bench by the shore a coat for my pillow
I have a bench by the seashore and a coat to use as a pillow.
A future with no guarantee
There is no assurance of what the future holds.
The world was a rat race and I had my fill oh
The world was a fast-paced competition and I have had enough of it.
Homeless Happiness
I am happy without a fixed abode.
My castle's the stars and the sea
I consider the stars and the sea to be my home.
If this door is freedom then I've found the key
If this homeless lifestyle is freedom then I have found the key to it.
The house and the car, those people around us
The house and the car, along with the people around us, were more important to you than to me.
Were really for you not for me
They were for your satisfaction and not mine.
We worked for the dream, alas all that bound us
We worked hard for a common dream, but unfortunately it became our burden.
Were hurries and worries you see
Our common problem was being in a hurry and worrying too much.
I'm keeping my word I'm right where we parted
I am fulfilling my promise to remain where we parted.
My story is simple enough
My life story is not complicated at all.
Since I left behind all the plans that we charted
Ever since I abandoned our planned future.
No hurries no worries my love
I am living without the stress of a rushed life, my love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JULIAN L. CORYELL, MADELEINE PEYROUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kurt
on The Summer Wind
Unbelievable Saxophon solo!