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.
Weary Blues
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, I've been waitin' so long
These blues have got me cryin'
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
The snow falls 'round my window
But it can't chill my heart
God knows it died the day you left
Weary blues from waitin'
Lord, I've been waitin' so long
These blues have got me cryin'
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
Through tears I watch young lovers
As they go strollin' by
And all the things that might have been
God forgive me if I cry
Weary blues from waitin'
Lord, I've been waitin' so long
These blues have got me cryin'
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
The lyrics of Madeleine Peyroux's song "Weary Blues" describe the feelings of a woman who is waiting for her lover to return home. The "weary blues" she sings about refer to the sadness and heartache she feels from waiting for so long. She begs her "sweet daddy" to come home and relieve her pain. The imagery of the snow falling around her window creates a sense of isolation and loneliness as she mourns the loss of her lover.
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the woman's desperation for her lover's return. She watches other couples walk by and is reminded of what could have been if her lover hadn't left her. She admits her weakness by pleading for God's forgiveness if she cries. The lyrics are simple but convey a complex range of emotions, from sadness to heartbreak to hopelessness.
Line by Line Meaning
Weary blues from waitin'
I am feeling extremely sad and depressed because of the long wait that I have had to endure.
Lord, I've been waitin' so long
The wait has been prolonged and unbearable, and I cannot help but think about all that I have missed during this period.
These blues have got me cryin'
The sadness and pain that I am experiencing are overwhelming, and I cannot but cry out my emotions.
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
I am yearning and longing for my loved one to return home, who can help me get over this immense sadness.
The snow falls 'round my window
The external surroundings around me are cold and frozen, but my heart is even colder due to the pain that I am going through.
But it can't chill my heart
Though the weather outside is cold and miserable, my heart has already become numb and unresponsive to any external stimuli.
God knows it died the day you left
My heart has been broken and shattered into a million pieces since the day you left, and I cannot help but feel dead inside.
My dream world fell apart
All my dreams and aspirations came crashing down when you left, and my world has been in darkness ever since.
Through tears I watch young lovers
As I watch young couples walking by, I cannot but cry in despair, thinking about all the things that I have missed out on.
As they go strollin' by
Seeing these couples walking hand in hand is a painful reminder of the companionship and love that I am missing out on.
And all the things that might have been
I cannot help but wonder about all the wonderful experiences and moments we could have shared if only you were here with me.
God forgive me if I cry
I am in such an immense amount of pain and sadness that I can't help but cry. I hope that God can understand and forgive me for this.
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
I am once again pleading and begging for you to return home and help me get through this tough time that I am going through.
Oh, sweet daddy please come home
My heart is so heavy with pain and sadness that I am asking you to come back home and help me heal from within.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffreysmith5962
I'm an old dog but still discovering great singers, not new, but new to me. Love her voice and style!
@KimiW
Love this SO much. Michelle, you are fabulous❣️
@Alan-mj2jx
Michelle..?
@DUCATIPUNK
Amazing !
@christysweet9036
This is such a throw back to to 20's - 1929's Fantastic
@Alan-mj2jx
Lovely 🌹.. thank you.
@exusaf1
Hank Williams wrote that.