Chevalier was born in Paris. He made his name as a star of musical comedy, appearing in public as a singer and dancer at an early age before working in four menial jobs as a teenager. In 1909, he became the partner of the biggest female star in France at the time, Fréhel. Although their relationship was brief, she secured him his first major engagement, as a mimic and a singer in l'Alcazar in Marseille, for which he received critical acclaim by French theatre critics. In 1917, he discovered jazz and ragtime and went to London, where he found new success at the Palace Theatre.
After this, he toured the United States, where he met the American composers George Gershwin and Irving Berlin and brought Dédé to Broadway in 1922. He also developed an interest in acting, and had success in the operetta Dédé. When talkies arrived, he went to Hollywood in 1928, where he played his first American role in Innocents of Paris. In 1930, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his roles in The Love Parade (1929) and The Big Pond (1930), which secured his first big American hit, Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight.
In 1957, he appeared in Love in the Afternoon, which was his first Hollywood film in more than 20 years. In the early 1960s, he made eight films, including Can-Can in 1960 and Fanny the following year. In 1970 he made his final contribution to the film industry where he sang the title song of the Disney film The Aristocats. He died in Paris, on January 1, 1972, aged 83.
He was born in Paris, France in 1888. His father was a house painter. His mother was of Belgian descent. Maurice made his name as a star of musical comedy, appearing in public as a singer and dancer at an early age.
It was in 1901 that he first began in show business at the age of 13. He was singing at a cafe for free when a well-known member of the theatre saw him and suggested that he try out for a local musical. He did so, and got the part. Chevalier got a name as an imitator and singer. His act in l' Alcazar in Marseille was so succesful he made a triumphant rearrival in Paris.
In 1909 he became the partner of the biggest female star in France at the time, Fréhel. However, due to her alcohol and drug addiction their liason ended in 1911. Chevalier then started a relationship with the 23 year old Mistinguett at the Folies Bergére; they would eventually play out a very public romance.
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World War I
Chevalier fulfilled his army service in 1913 and therefore couldn't escape the draft when in 1914 World War I broke out. He was shot in the back in the first weeks of combat and taken as war prisoner in Germany for two years. In 1916 he managed to escape due to Minstinguett's numerous relations.
In 1917 he became a star in le Casino de Paris and played before a public of English soldiers and Americans. He discovered jazz and ragtime and started thinking about touring in the United States. In prison camp he studied English and therefore had a certain advantage, compared with other French artists. He went to London where he met a new succes, even if he still sang in French.
Hollywood
After the war Chevalier went back to Paris and created several famous songs who are still known this day, such as "Valentine" (1924). He played in a few pictures and made a huge impression in the operette, "Dédé". Here he met the American composers George Gerschwin and Irving Berlin and brought "Dédé" to Broadway in 1922. It was not a succes due to a mental breakdown. A sad Chevalier returned to France where he tried to commit suicide in 1924, because of this failure. The same year he met Yvonne Vallée, a young dancer, who became his wife in 1927.
When sound made it's entree in the film world, Chevalier returned to Hollywood in 1928 and this time he became very succesful. He signed a contract with Paramount and played his first American role in "Innocents of Paris". In 1930 Chevalier was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, for two roles: The Love Parade and The Big Pond. He collaborated much with film director Ernst Lubitsch.
In 1934 he played in the operette La Veuve Joyeuse, one of his most well known films. He became one of the several big stars in Hollywood, very rare for French artists in these days. In 1935 he signed for MGM and returned to France later that year.
In 1937 he divorced from his wife and married with the dancer Nita Raya. He encountered several other succesful performances such as his revue "Paris en Joie" in the Casino de Paris. A year later he performed in "Amours de Paris]]. His songs remained big hits, such as "Prosper" (1935), "Ma Pomme" (1936) and "Ça fait d'excellents français" (1939)
World War II
During World War I Chevalier kept performing for audiences, even German militaries. He admired Henri Pètain, who led the collaborating Vichy regime during the war. (It must be stated that many Frenchmen at that time admired Pétain for his victories in World War I.) He moved to Cannes where he and his jewish wife, Nita Raya, lived and from where he kept giving several performances.
In 1941 he performed a new revue in the Casino de Paris: "Bonjour Paris", which was another smash succes. Songs like "Ça sent si bon la France" and "La Chanson du maçon" became other new hits. The nazis asked Chevalier if he wanted to perform in Berlin and sing for the collaborating radio station Radio-Paris. He refused, but did give several performances in front of prisoners of war in Germany where he succeded in liberating 10 people in exchange.
In 1942 he returned to Bocca, near Cannes, but returned to the French capital city in september. In 1944 when the Allied forces freed France, Chevalier was accused of collaboration. Even though these claims were disputed and he was formally acquitted of these charges, the English speaking press remained very hostile and even refused to give him a visa for several years.
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After the War
In his own country, however, he was still very popular. In 1946 he divorced from Nita Raya and starting writing his memoires, who would be further completed over the years. He started to paint and collect things and acted in Le Silence est d' Or (1946) by René Clair. He still toured throughout the United States and other parts of the world and returned to France in 1948.
In 1949 he performed in Stockholm on a communist benefit against nuclear arms. (In 1944 he had already participated to a communist defilé in Paris). Anti-communist witch hunts in the US made him therefore persona non grata in this country during the early fifties.
In 1952 he bought a large proporty in Marnes-La-Coquette, Paris and named it "La Louque", as a hommage to his mother's nickname. He started a new relationship in 1952 with Janie Michels, a young divorced mother with three children. Being a painter herself she encouraged Chevalier's artistic hobby.
In 1954 Chevalier was welcomed back in the United States. His American success reappeared thanks to the film Ariane (1957) with Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper, by Billy Wilder. He rediscovered his popularity with new audiences, appearing in the movie musical, Gigi (1958) with Leslie Caron and Hermione Gingold, with whom he shared the song "I Remember It Well", and several Walt Disney films. The great success of Gigi prompted Hollywood to give him an Honorary Academy Award that same year for his lifetime achievements in the field of entertainment.
After this he continued to perform in public and met celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot and Dwight Eisenhower.
Final Years
Chevalier continued to work up until very old age with impressive energy and enthusiasm. In the early sixties he toured thru the United States and between 1960 and 1963 he made eight films. When he returned to France he was invited by president Charles de Gaulle for a meal.
In 1965, at the age of 77 he made another world tour and visited again the US and other countries like South Africa. In 1967 he toured in Latin America, again the US, Europe and Canada.
In 1968, on October 1st, he announced his official farewell tour. Tired but nonetheless still able to entertain people he stopped twenty days later.
In 1970, he sang the title song of the Disney film The Aristocats. During a tour in the US he decided to stay there. However in December 1971 he got ill and had to be brought to the hospital.
Maurice Chevalier died on January 1, 1972, aged 83, and was interred in the cemetery of Marnes la Coquette in Hauts-de-Seine, France.
Louise
Maurice Chevalier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be in love with you.
Beautiful! You're so beautiful,
You haunt me all day through.
Every little breeze seems to whisper "Louise."
Birds in the trees seem to twitter "Louise."
Each little rose
Every little beat that I feel in my heart,
Seems to repeat, What I felt from the start,
Each little sigh
Tells me that I adore you, Louise.
Just to see and hear you
Brings joy I never knew.
But to be so near you,
Thrills me through and through.
Anyone can see why I wanted your kiss,
It had to be But the wonder is this:
Can it be true,
Someone like you Could love me, Louise?
Innocent! You're so innocent
And gentle as a dove.
Heaven sent! You were heaven sent,
An angel from above.
Every little breeze seems to whisper "Louise."
Birds in the trees seem to twitter "Louise."
Each little rose
Tells me it knows I love you, love you.
Every little beat that I feel in my heart,
Seems to repeat, What I felt from the start,
Each little sigh
Tells me that I adore you, Louise.
Often when I'm gloomy
And in my lonely room.
Thoughts of you come to me,
Like a sweet perfume.
Anyone can see why I wanted your kiss,
It had to be But the wonder is this:
Can it be true,
Someone like you Could love me, Louise?
The song "Louise" by Maurice Chevalier is a romantic ballad that captures the beauty and wonder of being in love with someone. The lyrics express the singer's adoration for Louise, the object of his affection, whom he describes as beautiful and innocent, like an angel from heaven. The song's opening lines express the singer's euphoria and joy at being in love with Louise, a feeling that persists throughout the entire song.
The lyrics use nature imagery to evoke the magic of Louise's presence, with every little breeze whispering her name, birds in the trees twittering about her, and each little rose acknowledging that the singer loves her. The singer's heart beats with love for Louise, and every little sigh he utters reflects his adoration for her. The song suggests that simply being near Louise is a thrill, as she brings the singer joy he never knew he could experience. Despite Louise's seemingly perfect qualities, the singer can scarcely believe that someone like her could love him, which adds a note of wonder and disbelief to the song's romantic tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Wonderful! Oh, it's wonderful
Being in love with Louise is making my life delightful
To be in love with you.
I am in love with you
Beautiful! You're so beautiful,
You are a stunningly beautiful person
You haunt me all day through.
I cannot get you out of my mind
Every little breeze seems to whisper "Louise."
I hear your name everywhere I go, even in the wind
Birds in the trees seem to twitter "Louise."
Even the birds seem to be singing your name
Each little rose
Every flower I see
Tells me it knows I love you, love you.
Reminds me that I am deeply in love with you
Every little beat that I feel in my heart,
My heart beats with a strong feeling of love
Seems to repeat, What I felt from the start,
I have been feeling this way since the beginning
Each little sigh
Every time I exhale
Tells me that I adore you, Louise.
I realize how much I truly adore you
Just to see and hear you
The mere sight and sound of you
Brings joy I never knew.
Brings me happiness that I never even knew existed
But to be so near you,
But to be physically close to you
Thrills me through and through.
Fills me with pure excitement and joy
Anyone can see why I wanted your kiss,
It's evident to anyone why I've been yearning for a kiss from you
It had to be But the wonder is this:
It was inevitable - but what amazes me is...
Can it be true,
Is it really possible
Someone like you Could love me, Louise?
That someone as wonderful as you could love someone like me, Louise
Innocent! You're so innocent
You are so pure and innocent
And gentle as a dove.
As gentle as a dove
Heaven sent! You were heaven sent,
You were undoubtedly sent from heaven to bless my life
An angel from above.
Like an angel sent from the heavens
Often when I'm gloomy
When I am feeling down
And in my lonely room.
And am in the solitude of my own room
Thoughts of you come to me,
Thoughts of you come flooding back to me
Like a sweet perfume.
Like a beautiful fragrance that surrounds me
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAN OWE MICHAEL HYLANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Lokietekk
Wonderful! Oh, it's wonderful
To be in love with you.
Beautiful! You're so beautiful,
You haunt me all day through.
Every little breeze seems to whisper "Louise."
Birds in the trees seem to twitter "Louise."
Each little rose
Tells me it knows I love you, love you.
Every little beat that I feel in my heart,
Seems to repeat, What I felt from the start,
Each little sigh
Tells me that I adore you, Louise.
Just to see and hear you
Brings joy I never knew.
But to be so near you,
Thrills me through and through.
Anyone can see why I wanted your kiss,
It had to be But the wonder is this:
Can it be true,
Someone like you Could love me, Louise?
Innocent! You're so innocent
And gentle as a dove.
Heaven sent! You were heaven sent,
An angel from above.
Every little breeze seems to whisper "Louise."
Birds in the trees seem to twitter "Louise."
Each little rose
Tells me it knows I love you, love you.
Every little beat that I feel in my heart,
Seems to repeat, What I felt from the start,
Each little sigh
Tells me that I adore you, Louise.
Often when I'm gloomy
And in my lonely room.
Thoughts of you come to me,
Like a sweet perfume.
Anyone can see why I wanted your kiss,
It had to be But the wonder is this:
Can it be true,
Someone like you Could love me, Louise?
@risoletadarin2206
Wonderful! Oh it's wonderful
to be in love with you.
beautiful, you're so beautiful,
you haunt me all day through.
Every little breeze seems to whisper "Louise."
birds in the trees seem to twitter "Louise."
each little rose tells me it knows I love you, (love you)
Every little beat that I feel in my heart
seems to repeat what I felt at the start
each little sigh tells me that I adore you, Louise.
Just to see and hear you is joy I never knew,
but to be so near you
thrills me through and through.
Anyone can see why I wanted your kiss.
it had to be, but the wonder is this:
Can it be true, someone like you
could love me, Louise.
mots original: A. Willemetz & Ch. L. Pothier
musique: R.A. Whiting
English words: Leo Robin
copyright: 1929 Famous Music Corp., New York
Note: Readers' Digest "Treasury of Best Loved Songs" notes
that Maurice Chevalier sang "Louise" in his 1929 American
debut film, Paramount's "Innocents of Paris."
The song became a smash hit, and so did the singer.
@louiseanneblais9853
My Daddy loved this song so he named me Louise!!! He used to sing it to me, made me feel so special. Thank you Mr. Chevalier may you rest in peace.
@rhondaharrigan2838
Oh my Dad did too! But I got named after that Beach Boys song 😏
@louisewardell4098
Hahaha me too! When I saw this I thought it came from me !
@louisedawson9641
I've had this sung to me many times over the years working with my elderly patients. Lovely words Maurice
@fellon8019
Strange but I have started to sing this song recently to my wife. She in sick with alhziemers and it is close to the end for her. This maybe the last song she will hear.
She is my sweetheart.
@donovandowie2464
Maurice Chevalier sang this at my primary school in Jamaica in the early 1960s. I can still remember and he was old but still the Frenchman. This was from a movie that was made one year before my mother was born....fascinating.
@Celluloidwatcher
The definitive Maurice Chevalier song. Louise will always be, in my opinion, the tune that people link Chevalier with. What a sweet song.
@weswolever7477
Any time I need my spirits lifted, Maurice never lets me down:)
@Loui3535
My Dad used to sing this to me when I was a little girl and when I got older. It made me feel special.
@CCNuck
I have been singing the chorus of this song my entire life, and I'm in my 20s. Apparently my great-great grandmother liked the song, and sang it to her grandma, who sang it to me.