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
Les Groupies
Michel Delpech Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pas encore millionnaire
Les filles à militaires
C’est bon, que c’est bon.
Quand on fait de la musique
C’est encore un autre cirque
Pour avoir un petit peu d’amour,
On ne trouve pas tous les jours
Après une longue route
Sous la pluie que l’on redoute
Quand les filles nous écoutent
C’est bon, que c’est bon
De choisir une minette
Dans ces filles à vedette
Qui ne sont venues que pour ça.
C’est bon de serrer dans ses bras
Une groupie, une groupie.
On les emmène en voyage
Quand on est que de passage
Madelon dans ses bagages
C’est bon, que c’est bon
C’est un joli parasite
Qui s’accroche et que l’on quitte
Quand on en connaît un meilleur.
Ça ne reste pas dans le cœur,
Une groupie, une groupie,
Une groupie, une groupie.
The lyrics to Michel Delpech's song "Les Groupies" describe the lifestyle of a single, non-millionaire musician who enjoys the attention and affection of groupies. The song highlights the thrill of having temporary relationships with these women who are drawn to the glamour of the music world. The first verse describes how these groupies are particularly appealing to single men and those serving in the military. The second verse portrays a typical scenario where the musician is on the road, performing in different cities, and seducing one of his adoring fans. The chorus emphasizes the pleasure and excitement of being with a groupie, who provides temporary companionship and admiration. The final verse acknowledges the transience of these relationships, as the musician moves on to the next town or better opportunity, leaving the groupie behind, forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Quand on est célibataire
When one is single
Pas encore millionnaire
Not yet a millionaire
Les filles à militaires
Girls who like military men
C’est bon, que c’est bon.
It's good, it feels good
Quand on fait de la musique
When one makes music
C’est encore un autre cirque
It's another circus altogether
Pour avoir un petit peu d’amour,
To get a little bit of love
On ne trouve pas tous les jours
One doesn't find it every day
Une groupie, une groupie.
A groupie, a groupie
Après une longue route
After a long journey
Sous la pluie que l’on redoute
Under the rain one fears
Quand les filles nous écoutent
When girls listen to us
C’est bon, que c’est bon
It's good, it feels good
De choisir une minette
To pick a young girl
Dans ces filles à vedette
Among these celebrity girls
Qui ne sont venues que pour ça.
Who came only for that
C’est bon de serrer dans ses bras
It's good to hold in one's arms
Une groupie, une groupie.
A groupie, a groupie
On les emmène en voyage
We take them on a trip
Quand on est que de passage
When we are just passing by
Madelon dans ses bagages
Madelon in our luggage
C’est bon, que c’est bon
It's good, it feels good
C’est un joli parasite
It's a nice parasite
Qui s’accroche et que l’on quitte
That clings on and that one leaves
Quand on en connaît un meilleur.
When one knows one that's better
Ça ne reste pas dans le cœur,
It doesn't stay in the heart
Une groupie, une groupie,
A groupie, a groupie
Une groupie, une groupie.
A groupie, a groupie
Lyrics © ALLO MUSIC EDITIONS
Written by: Roland VINCENT, Michel DELPECH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind