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
Tu L'Aimes
Michel Delpech Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Elle dort souvent n'importe où
Elle rentre n'importe quand
Tu l'attends n'importe comment
Tu la prends comme elle vient
Tant qu'elle s'appelle "revient"
Tu l'aimes
Cette fille, c'est pas n'importe qui
Tu dis "Elle est pire que moi
Sa vie, c'est n'importe quoi
Elle m'a sauvé plusieurs fois"
Tu la prends comme elle vient
Tant qu'elle s'appelle "revient"
Tu l'aimes
Faut bien que quelqu'un le fasse
Les forçats, c'est forcé
Finissent en liberté
Épuisés
Déchaînés
The song "Tu l'aimes" by Michel Delpech depicts a complex relationship between the singer and a woman, who is depicted as being reckless in her actions and behaviors. The opening verse paints a picture of a woman who will dance with anyone, sleep anywhere, and come back home at any time. The singer, who is deeply in love with her, will wait for her regardless of how she comes home. He takes her back as she is and doesn't try to change her.
The chorus "Tu l'aimes, Faut bien que quelqu'un le fasse" translates to "You love her, someone has to do it" implies that loving someone like her is difficult and requires a lot of patience, but the singer is willing to do it because he truly loves her. The second verse reveals that the woman is troubled, and even the singer says that she is worse than he is. Despite all the trouble, the woman has saved his life multiple times, and he admires her for it.
The final verse depicts the life of the prisoners, who are forced to work and end up achieving freedom but are left exhausted and agitated. The lyrics imply that loving someone like this woman may not be easy, but it is worth it. The song portrays the message that love is not always perfect, and it can require courage, patience, and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Elle danse avec n'importe qui
She dances with anyone, regardless of who they are
Elle dort souvent n'importe où
She often sleeps anywhere, without much consideration
Elle rentre n'importe quand
She comes home at any time, without adhering to a set schedule
Tu l'attends n'importe comment
You wait for her in any way you can, no matter how difficult or inconvenient it may be
Tu la prends comme elle vient
You take her as she comes, without trying to change her or her habits
Tant qu'elle s'appelle "revient"
As long as she comes back to you (as her name suggests), you are content with her behavior
Tu l'aimes
You love her, despite her flaws and unpredictable nature
Faut bien que quelqu'un le fasse
Someone needs to love her, and you are willing to take on that responsibility
Cette fille, c'est pas n'importe qui
This girl is not just anyone, she holds a significant place in your life
Tu dis "Elle est pire que moi
You admit that she has negative qualities, and may even be worse than you
Sa vie, c'est n'importe quoi
Her life is chaotic and unpredictable, which may cause issues in your relationship
Elle m'a sauvé plusieurs fois"
She has helped you out of difficult situations, earning your loyalty and devotion
Les forçats, c'est forcé
Prisoners are forced to work
Finissent en liberté
They end up being freed
Épuisés
Exhausted
Déchaînés
Unleashed
Writer(s): Pierre Andre Grillet, Fabrice Chapuis
Contributed by Annabelle N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.