Born in a Parisian suburb in a wealthy family, he had a happy childhood. His father owned a small business. In high school, influenced by the great chansonniers of his time Luis Mariano, Charles Aznavour and Gilbert Bécaud, he formed with classmates a band.
Studying at the Petit Conservatoire de Mireille, where Yves Duteil and Françoise Hardy had been discovered, he made his first single, Anatole in 1963. He meets Roland Vincent who becomes his regular composer. Michels first hit Chez Laurette the following year is from the musical he plays in 'Copains-Clopant' . In 1966 appears his album Inventaire 66, while he is opening act for Leny Escudero. As Jacques Brel, in 1967, provides a series of farewell performances in the Parisian music theater Olympia, Delpech is the support act. Johnny Stark, the impresario of Mireille Mathieu, decides to accompany him. Michel is touring as a supporting act along with Mireille, to the US and the USSR.
In 1968 he won the French Grand Prix du Disque with "Il ya des jours où on ferait mieux de rester au lit".
In 1969 he composed the song hippie Wight is Wight in French about the British Isle of Wight Festival that summer. It became a huge hit in France, Sandie Shaw covered it the following year. In 1970 he regrets the break-up of The Beatles in the song Et Paul chantait Yesterday, brings the album Un coup de pied dans la montagne and he breaks up with Johnny Stark.
In 1971 Delpech scored a European hit with Pour un flirt; even in Britain it reached the charts. Further chansons by him were Que Marianne était jolie (1972) and Les divorcés (1974), Le Chasseur (1974) and Le Loir-et-Cher (1977).
The following years Delpech devoted primarily to composing and writing lyrics. He had a comeback in 1983 with the single Animaux, animaux and his successful album Loin d'ici in 1985, followed in 1989 by J'étais un ange. In 1992 with Roland Vincent he made the album Les Voix du Brésil. Delpech then took a five year sabbatical.
From 1997 Delpech was particularly productive. J'étais un ange is the title of an album in 2000 that heralds a tour with musician friends such as Alain Chamfort, Charlélie Couture, Claude Nougaro, Marc Lavoine and Pierre Richard providing inspiration for the album Comme vous (2004) and Live -album Ce lundi-là au Bataclan (2004).
In 2006 he even released an album consisting of five CDs Delpech inventaires followed by Michel Delpech & ... Delpech with repertoire old and new and of musical contemporaries like Bénabar, Francis Cabrel, Alain Souchon, Cali, Laurent Voulzy, Julien Clerc and Clarika. In 2008 appeared a live DVD, Live au Grand Rex, which is widely acclaimed as an excellent live recording.
Delpech fought three years against throat cancer. On January 2, 2016 Delpech died in Paris
Animaux Animaux
Michel Delpech Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moi je suis nu
Je ne suis pas nй avec vos griffes et vos becs
Mais j'ai fabriquй des bunkers et des Exocets
Animaux, animaux
Animaux, animaux
Vous кtes de pauvres mecs
Moi j'ai inventй le Big Mac, le coke et la biиre
Animaux, animaux
Animaux, animaux
Moi, j'ai les mots
Je peux souvent tricher
Vous, vous n'avez que le flair
Que vos naseaux mouillйs
Que vos instincts pour vous guider
Animaux, animaux
Animaux, animaux
Vous n'avez pas de phantasmes
Et vous faites l'amour seulement а des date-fixes
Moi j'ai les sentiments, les rendez-vous et les films X
Animaux, animaux
Animaux, animaux
Je maоtrise le temps
J'ai construit Brasilia et des murs de bйton
Et vous, vous courez encore dans les brousses du Gabon
Animaux, animaux
Animaux, animaux
Dans le Ngorongoro
Vous mourez solitaires
Moi j'ai des computers, des hospices de vieillards
J'ai mes fleurs et ma croix de pierre
Animaux, animaux.
The song Animaux Animaux by Michel Delpech is a satirical commentary on human beings and the way they see themselves as superior to animals. The singer takes on the persona of a human being who believes that he is above the animal kingdom because of his intelligence, his ability to create, and his control over his environment. He contrasts himself with various animals, pointing out what he sees as their weaknesses and limitations. For example, he says that animals have "griffes et becs" - claws and beaks - while he has "fabriqué des bunkers et des Exocets" - created bunkers and missiles.
But the singer's perspective is ironic and tongue-in-cheek. He is mocking the human tendency to overestimate their own worth and to underestimate the intelligence and dignity of animals. He points out that animals have their own strengths and abilities, such as their instincts and their ability to live in harmony with nature. Meanwhile, he notes that human beings are capable of great cruelty and destruction, as symbolized by the Big Mac and the coke and beer that he says he has invented.
Through his lyrics, Delpech seems to be suggesting that humans could learn a lot from animals if they were more humble and open-minded. Instead of degrading animals, they should recognize the value and interconnectedness of all living things.
Line by Line Meaning
Animaux, animaux
Delpech is addressing animals
Moi je suis nu
Humans are the only naked animals and Delpech is emphasizing human uniqueness
Je ne suis pas nй avec vos griffes et vos becs
Humans did not inherit physical tools from evolution like animals did
Mais j'ai fabriquй des bunkers et des Exocets
Instead, humans have used their intelligence to design and build tools of their own, like bunkers and Exocets (missiles)
Vous кtes de pauvres mecs
Delpech is belittling animals for their lack of accomplishments
Vous qui buvez dans les eaux du Niger
Delpech is pointing out animals' simplicity in their lifestyle
Moi j'ai inventй le Big Mac, le coke et la biиre
Humans have invented complex and varied food and drink options
Moi, j'ai les mots
Delpech is highlighting human intelligence as a tool that animals lack
Je peux souvent tricher
Humans also have the ability to deceive others, which animals cannot intentionally do
Vous, vous n'avez que le flair
Animals rely on their sense of smell to guide them
Que vos naseaux mouillйs
The dampness of their noses helps animals pick up scents more efficiently
Que vos instincts pour vous guider
Instincts guide animals in making decisions
Vous n'avez pas de phantasmes
Animals lack imagination and the ability to dream
Et vous faites l'amour seulement а des date-fixes
Animals mate in a predictable, biological manner
Moi j'ai les sentiments, les rendez-vous et les films X
Humans are capable of experiencing emotions and seeking out pleasure (as seen in the production and consumption of pornography)
Je maоtrise le temps
Humans have learned to manipulate time, such as through the invention of clocks and the establishment of time zones
J'ai construit Brasilia et des murs de bйton
Humans have built impressive structures, like Brasilia (the capital of Brazil) and concrete walls
Et vous, vous courez encore dans les brousses du Gabon
Animals still roam wild in places like the Gabon forests, while humans have established urban civilizations
Dans le Ngorongoro
Referring to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, where animals live in their natural habitats
Vous mourez solitaires
Animals tend to die alone
Moi j'ai des computers, des hospices de vieillards
Humans have access to technology and healthcare facilities for the elderly
J'ai mes fleurs et ma croix de pierre
Humans value beauty and art, seen in the existence of flowers and religious symbols like stone crosses
Animaux, animaux.
Closing statement, reiterating that humans are separate and superior to animals
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
arramy evelyne
Sublime chanson de Delpech qui exhorte les hommes à prendre soin de ce qui les entoure sur une musique qui pleure en osmose avec des images d'une exceptionnelles beauté ! Merci très fort et amitiés .
Frédérique Que
Merci Evelyne
elisabethvalencic
magnifique
elisabeth valencic
@Frédérique Que FB ELISA VALENCIC
je la remets de suite sur mon fb doit circuler merci collectiv intelligence benediction a son ame michel et vs amie
Frédérique Que
Merci à vous et pour votre passage
elisabeth valencic
MAGNIFIQUE!!!
Frédérique Que
Merci Elisabeth
Monique Dalvecchio
Coucou Frédérique , superbe cette chanson et ta vidéo magnifique . Bravo . Bises
Frédérique Que
Coucou merci Monique,merci surtout à Michel pour ses jolies chansons qui nous inspirent vraiment❤️ ... Bisou
Pierre Le Bars
Salut Michel ça c'est des vrai sentiment 💕💖💙💚💚💚💗💗