As her father, who emigrated from France to Québec at an early age, was also a musician, Marie-Mai began her interest in music in her early years when practising piano lessons and also participated in musical theatre. Shortly, she began singing and her grandmother noticed her talent. In the following years, she would help Marie-Mai improve her singing abilities even further. At that time, her grandmother suggested to her that she audition for a new competition, Star Académie. Prior to this, in 2001, she would start to perform in shows at Montreal's Théâtre Musical in the Passion intense show.
She became a finalist in the 2003 edition, in which she was immediately noticed by her pop-rock style. She finished third behind Marie-Elaine Thibert, the runner-up of the competition and Wilfred Le Bouthillier, the eventual winner.
After the Star Académie tour that ended in 2004, she was part of Rent, a rock opera musical which was held at the Olympia Theatre in Montreal.
On July 1, 2009, Marie-Mai performed "Mentir" and "Emmène-Moi" for Canada Rocks The Capital held in Ottawa.
On February 28, 2010, she performed "Emmène-Moi" during the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Her debut album Inoxydable, produced by Fred St-Gelais, was released on September 28, 2004. Over 120,000 albums were sold in Quebec alone while the album was released in France in 2006. Several singles had reached high in the Quebec charts including the songs "Il faut que tu t'en ailles" and "Encore une nuit" which reached the top of the Radio Énergie charts.
In the fall of 2006, Marie-Mai had already reached the international stage, when she opened for Garou for four shows at the Olympia in Paris where several international acts made their mark at the landmark music hall. Additional stops in the European Tour included Switzerland, Belgium, Romania and Russia. In an interview with TVA's correspondent in Paris, Claude Charron, Marie-Mai mentioned she was thrilled about the experience and was amazed by the public reception in Paris. She also added that despite being a short experience each night (she opens with 30-minute performance), she enjoys every single moment of it and would stay there forever on the stage.
Her second album, Dangereuse Attraction (also produced by Fred St-Gelais), was released in August 2007. She mentioned in the interview with Charron that she hopes for success similar to her debut album Inoxydable. The first song from her next album is "Qui prendra ma place" (Who Will Take My Place) and already reached number 1 in the Francophone Chart of Radio NRJ (formerly Radio Énergie). Marie-Mai mentions that her second album is much more personal than Inoxydable. Her song "Tôt Ou Tard" is a cover of Alexz Johnson's "Waste My Time" on the album Songs from Instant Star. Over 80,000 albums were sold.
Marie-Mai provided guest vocals on David Usher's songs "Kill the Lights," on Wake Up and Say Goodbye, and "Je Repars," on The Mile End Sessions. She also provided guest vocals for Simple Plan's new song "Jet Lag" which is from their fourth album Get Your Heart On!, released on June 21 2011.
Empire
Marie-Mai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
J'ai déjà perdu trop de temps
À me regarder partir
À ne plus m’appartenir (ha)
Jamais été aussi bas
Jamais vu ma vie sans toi
J'avais la honte à mes bras
Hey oh, hey oh
Est-ce que je me rends?
Hey oh, hey oh
Est-ce que je me mens?
Est-ce que j'ai passé mon moment?
Ou est-ce qu'il commence maint'nant? (ha)
J'ai un empire à reconstruire
Des vides à remplir
Un nom à guérir
Empire à définir
Je vois un monde dans mes décombres (ha)
J'ai un empire à reconstruire
Des vides à remplir
Un nom à guérir
Empire à définir
Je vois un monde dans mes décombres (ah)
Empire, ha
Empire, ha
J'ai des souvenirs indécents
J'ai des désirs effervescents
Et des promesses à tenir
Un passé à laisser partir
Est-ce que je me rends?
S-O S-O, est-ce que je me mens?
Est-ce que j'ai perdu ma vie d'avant?
Est-ce que je renais maint'nant? (ha)
J'ai un empire à reconstruire
Des vides à remplir
Un nom à guérir
Empire à définir
Je vois un monde dans mes décombres (ah)
J'ai un empire à reconstruire
Des vides à remplir
Un nom à guérir
Empire à définir
Je vois un monde dans mes décombres (ha)
Empire, ha
Empire, ha
J'ai monté, maintenant, je descends
J'ai déjà perdu trop de temps (ha)
J'ai un empire à reconstruire
Des vides à remplir
Un nom à guérir
Empire à définir
Je vois un monde dans mes décombres (ha)
J'ai un empire à reconstruire
Des vides à remplir
Un nom à guérir
Empire à définir
Je vois un monde dans mes décombres (ha)
Empire, ha
Empire, ha
J'ai un empire
Empire, ha
J'ai un empire
Empire, ha
The lyrics of Marie-Mai's song "Empire" explore the theme of self-reinvention and self-discovery. The singer confesses that she has reached a point in her life where she needs to rebuild and redefine her "empire." She acknowledges that she has wasted too much time in the past, not fully owning herself and being controlled by others. She reflects on the shame and negative perception she had of herself at some point in her life, possibly because of a failed relationship or personal struggle.
The chorus highlights her determination to start over and find meaning in her life. She speaks of having an empire to rebuild, voids to fill, and a name to heal, suggesting that she wants to reclaim her power, identity, and legacy. She sees a world in the ruins of her past, indicating that she is ready to create something new out of her struggles.
The lyrics also show a conflict between the singer's past and present selves. She wonders if she is lying to herself by pretending to start anew or if her moment to change has indeed come. She acknowledges her questionable past, filled with sensual and risky experiences, but also expresses her willingness to fulfill promises and let go of what holds her back. In conclusion, "Empire" is a song about embracing change, honoring one's journey, and being open to new possibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
J'ai monté, maintenant, je descends
I have experienced a rise and now I am falling.
J'ai déjà perdu trop de temps, À me regarder partir
I have wasted too much time watching myself fade away.
À ne plus m’appartenir (ha)
I no longer belong to myself.
Jamais été aussi bas
I have never been this low before.
Jamais vu ma vie sans toi
I have never seen my life without you.
J'avais la honte à mes bras
I was carrying shame with me.
Et la mauvaise image de moi, hey
And the bad image I had of myself.
Est-ce que je me rends?
Am I giving up?
Est-ce que je me mens?
Am I lying to myself?
Est-ce que j'ai passé mon moment? Ou est-ce qu'il commence maint'nant? (ha)
Have I missed my chance, or is it starting now?
J'ai un empire à reconstruire
I have an empire to rebuild.
Des vides à remplir
Emptiness to fill.
Un nom à guérir
A name to heal.
Empire à définir
An empire to define.
Je vois un monde dans mes décombres (ha)
I see a world in my own rubble.
J'ai des souvenirs indécents
I have indecent memories.
J'ai des désirs effervescents
I have effervescent desires.
Et des promesses à tenir
And promises to keep.
Un passé à laisser partir
A past to let go.
S-O S-O, est-ce que je me mens?
S-O S-O, am I lying to myself?
Est-ce que j'ai perdu ma vie d'avant?
Have I lost my previous life?
Est-ce que je renais maint'nant? (ha)
Am I being born again now?
Empire, ha
Empire, ah.
J'ai un empire
I have an empire.
Lyrics © Évangeline/APEM
Written by: Marie Mai, Thomas Salter AWG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bluejohnson6250
Elle change comme je grandis. Quand j’etait petite j’aimais son style de musique, elle m’influencais pour le meilleur. Quand j’ai grandie, j’etait moin attirée par le style auquel j’etait attirée avant. Maintenant, son style de musique change et se remet dans la catégorie de chanson que je préfère. Bravo Marie continue comme sa 💕♥️
@kotessgaming3903
I don't speak any French but I still love to listen to your music, maybe it's time to start learning! Peace and love from Alberta :)
@mylenegrenier5046
Allo
@Guerrero1994
Is never too late.
Croyez moi.
Ya, lo veras 🥂👍
@Rise-UP1969
J'aime rarement la music Québécoise .Mais elle je l'aime vraiment .Thumbs up a elle tout le monde :)
@jrocky3038
des personnes qui ne sont pas content parce qu'ils trouvent que marie mai à changer depuis, je trouve que, le plus important pour une fan est de soutenir jusqu'au bout sont idole! Je vois bien que Marie Mai est heureuse sur ce vidéo clip, alors tant qu' elle le sera nous le serons!
@nancypratte4227
J'ai 48 dans 2 mois 49 ... depuis mon âge de 1 an je danse... pas du poteau.. J'ai tjrs rêvé de me donner à fond pour Danser dans mon domaine! Bonne Chance à moi ! xxx ;)
@angelyyy9115
J’espère qu’elle va refaire des chansons comme ca ❤️❤️❤️
@melanie-jr4uk
Oui
@mireillevaillancourt3232
C'est vrai