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.
was i
Madeleine Peyroux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thought I'd step out one night
I longed to get the thrilling life I've missed
I met a youth
A bit uncouth
Although he seemed alright
I knew him by the moment when we kissed
My girlfriend asked if I'd had fun I said,
"Was I drunk?
Was he handsome?
Did momma give me hell?
Did I get a thrill?
Am I full of quiver?
Was he rough?
Did I care?
Am I glad I fell?
Every time I think of him do I shiver?
Was he hot?
And was I?
And would he stand for maybe?
He would not?
Did I lie?
Does he still think I'm a baby?
If I was, am I still?
Do I care?
Don't be silly
Was I drunk?
Was he handsome?
And did momma give me hell?
Was I drunk?
Was he handsome?
Did momma give me hell?
With his hands loose as no refusin'
Did he fight?
Was I blue?
Almost shamed to tell
And I don't know yet the system he was usin'
Well I said, stop, please, behave!
Well what's the use of breathin'?
He said, give
So I gave
After all, what was I savin'?
Am I glad?
Holy gee,
Have I had fun, you're askin' me?
Was I drunk?
Was he handsome?
And did momma give me hell?"
The lyrics to Madeleine Peyroux's song "Was I" tell the story of a sweet sixteen-year-old girl who steps out one night to have the thrilling life that she's been missing. She meets a young man who is a little rough around the edges, but she's drawn to him, and they end up kissing. The next day, she's left with a swollen head and questions about whether she had fun, whether she was drunk or not, and whether he was handsome. She wonders if her mother gave her hell for being out late and if she's glad she fell for him. She's full of questions, but she's also full of excitement and wonder.
The lyrics are a reflection of the uncertainty and excitement that comes with being young and experiencing new things. The singer is questioning herself and her decisions, but she's also reveling in the thrill of the unknown. She's willing to take risks and make mistakes to live life fully, which is a universal experience that many people can relate to. The song captures the energy and optimism of youth, as well as the fear and apprehension that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet young thing of sixteen
I was a naive and innocent sixteen year old girl
Thought I'd step out one night
One evening, I decided to go out
I longed to get the thrilling life I've missed
I wanted to experience the excitement that I had missed out on
I met a youth
I came across a young man
A bit uncouth
He was somewhat ill-mannered
Although he seemed alright
Despite his rudeness, he appeared okay
I knew him by the moment when we kissed
It was in the moment we kissed that I recognized him
Then I got home, next day with a swollen head
The next day, I came home with a headache
My girlfriend asked if I'd had fun I said,
My friend inquired about my night out and I replied,
"Was I drunk?
Was I intoxicated?
Was he handsome?
Did he look good?
Did momma give me hell?
Did my mother scold me?
Did I get a thrill?
Did I experience excitement?
Am I full of quiver?
Am I still nervous?
Was he rough?
Was he violent?
Did I care?
Did I mind?
Am I glad I fell?
Do I regret what happened?
Every time I think of him do I shiver?
Do I tremble every time I recall him?
Was he hot?
Was he attractive?
And was I?
And was I appealing to him?
And would he stand for maybe?
Would he consider seeing me again?
He would not?
He didn't want to?
Did I lie?
Did I deceive him?
Does he still think I'm a baby?
Does he still view me as a child?
If I was, am I still?
If I was childish then, am I still the same now?
Do I care?
Do I feel concerned?
Don't be silly
Nevermind, that's ridiculous
With his hands loose as no refusin'
He didn't restrain himself
Did he fight?
Did he force himself on me?
Was I blue?
Was I sad?
Almost shamed to tell
I feel ashamed to explain
And I don't know yet the system he was usin'
I don't know what his intentions were
Well I said, stop, please, behave!
I requested that he stop and behave himself
Well what's the use of breathin'?
I asked myself, what's the point in existing?
He said, give
He demanded that I give in to him
So I gave
I gave in to him
After all, what was I savin'?
After all, what was I preserving?
Am I glad?
Am I happy?
Holy gee,
Oh my goodness,
Have I had fun, you're askin' me?
Are you asking me if I had a good time?
"Was I drunk?
Was I inebriated?
Was he handsome?
Did he look good?
And did momma give me hell?"
And did my mother scold me?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLIE FARRELL, CHICK ENDOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kurt
on The Summer Wind
Unbelievable Saxophon solo!