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

Le Roi De Rien
Michel Delpech Lyrics

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En vérité je vous le dit
Je vais profiter de la vie
Malgré la météo
Qui nous promet quelques nuages
Poser mes valises quelque part
Marcher devant moi au hasard
Chanter incognito
Au coeur d'un opéra sauvage

Moi qui cassais tout
Avec l'égoïsme fou
D'un hippopotame
Qui cherchait surtout
Derrière les claques et les coups
Un supplément d'âme
Libre aujourd'hui, je suis enfin
N'importe qui, tellement quelqu'un
Je ne sais pas si vous savez
Mais rien ne vaut la liberté
Cessons tous ces soucis
Car il faut voyager léger
Comme un cerf aux aboies
Qui profite des sous-bois
Avant la vraie vie
Je vais chaque nuit
Goûter les gouttes de pluie
L'eau de l'au-delà
Libre aujourd'hui, je suis enfin
N'importe qui, tellement quelqu'un
Libre aujourd'hui, je suis enfin

N'importe qui mais tellement quelqu'un
N'importe qui mais tellement quelqu'un

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Michel Delpech's song "Le roi de rien" speak of the singer's newfound freedom and appreciation for life. He declares that despite any forecasted clouds, he will enjoy life to the fullest, wandering aimlessly and singing incognito in the heart of a wild opera. He reflects on his past behavior, where he was destructive and selfish like a raging hippo searching for an extra soul. But now, he is finally free and feels like he is somebody even though he can fall under the category of just anybody. The singer encourages others to let go of their worries and travel lightly, just like a deer that enjoys the woods before facing real life. He would taste the drops of rain each night as they fell from beyond.

The lyrics seem to celebrate a period of emotional growth, personal development, and newfound perspective. The imagery in the song highlights freedom, wandering, and a connection to nature. The song's message that true liberty lies in freedom from worry and acceptance of oneself is a timeless one. These themes likely resonated with many listeners and continue to do so to this day.

Le Roi De RienMichel Delpech Lyrics

Le Roi De Rien
Michel Delpech Lyrics