Michel Delpech (Jean-Michel Delpech, Courbevoie, January 26, 1946 - Paris,… Read Full Bio ↴Michel Delpech (Jean-Michel Delpech, Courbevoie, January 26, 1946 - Paris, January 2, 2016) was a French chansonnier, novelist and actor.

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

Je Resterai Ton Ami
Michel Delpech Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Je resterai ton ami
J’en ai déjà pris l’habitude
Sous le masque des solitudes
Le temps passe, l’amour aussi.

Je resterai ton ami
Nous parlerons de tes voyages
Moi qui rêve sur des images

Toi qui rêves de Miami.

Je ne veux pas te dire adieu
C’est un bateau comme un autre
C’est une larme comme une autre
Dans mes yeux

Je resterai ton ami
Je t’offrirai dans mon absence
Ma tendresse, mon impatience
Ma détresse, ma jalousie.

Je resterai ton ami
J’en ai déjà pris l’habitude

Sous le masque des solitudes
Le temps passe, l’amour aussi

Overall Meaning

The song "Je Resterai Ton Ami" by Michel Delpech is about a man who declares that he will always remain friends with his lover, even if their romantic relationship comes to an end. He has grown accustomed to this role as a friend and knows that time and love continue to pass, but he will still be there for his partner. Despite the sadness and tears that may come with a breakup, he doesn't want to say goodbye because it's just like any other boat or tear - nothing out of the ordinary.

Throughout the song, the singer promises to continue being a supportive friend, willing to talk about his partner's travels and share his own dreams. He acknowledges that he will feel jealous and distressed at times, but his affection and impatience will never fade. The verses are a reflection on the inevitability of change and loss in life, and the chorus is a reassuring reminder that friendship can endure.

The lyrics in the song may resonate with anyone who has experienced the end of a romantic relationship but still values their partner's friendship. The song's emotional complexity, as well as Michel Delpech's smooth vocals and gentle instrumentation, have made it a classic in French music.

Line by Line Meaning

Je resterai ton ami
I will continue to be your friend

J’en ai déjà pris l’habitude
I have already become accustomed to this

Sous le masque des solitudes
Behind the veil of loneliness

Le temps passe, l’amour aussi.
Time goes by, as does love.

Nous parlerons de tes voyages
We will talk about your travels

Moi qui rêve sur des images
I, who dream about images

Toi qui rêves de Miami.
You who dream of Miami.

Je ne veux pas te dire adieu
I don't want to say goodbye to you

C’est un bateau comme un autre
It's just a boat like any other

C’est une larme comme une autre
It's a tear like any other

Dans mes yeux
In my eyes