Il a fait partie du groupe musical québécois Beau Dommage et poursuit une carrière solo.
Discographie
* 1977 : Méfiez-vous du grand amour
* 1979 : De Longueuil à Berlin
* 1983 : Sauvage
* 1985 : Bonsoir, mon nom est Michel Rivard et voici mon album double
* 1987 : Un trou dans les nuages
* 1989 : Michel Rivard
* 1992 : Le Goût de l'eau... et autres chansons naïves
* 1998 : Maudit Bonheur
* 2004 : Bonsoir... mon nom est toujours Michel Rivard et voici mon album quadruple (en spectacle intime...)
* 2004 : Simple
* 2006 : Confiance
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Michel Rivard (born September 27, 1951), is a singer-songwriter and musician from Quebec. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. His father was an actor, Robert Rivard. Michel began his career at an early age appearing in a Canadian television series (Rue des Pignons) and in TV commercials.
Rivard's career as a writer and composer began in earnest when he became a member of the theatrical group Quenouille Bleue, established in 1970. Later, he became a member of Théâtre Sainfoin, when it was founded in 1973.
Beau Dommage and beyond
Four years later, in 1974, Rivard and other members of Théâtre Sainfoin, formed the group Beau Dommage (an old Québécois expression meaning "certainly" or "damn right"). Rivard wrote and composed for Beau Dommage.
Beau Dommage became a very popular group, and as a result of his songwriting ability Rivard's popularity increase as well. Perhaps his most popular song from this era is "La complainte du phoque en Alaska". Although Beau Dommage disbanded in 1978, there were reunion concerts in 1984 and 1994, both of which Rivard participated in. Characteristic of Rivard's creative energy, he also put out his first solo album in 1977, Méfiez-vous du grand amour.
In 1978, as a sign of his increased prestige, Michel opened for Maxime Forestier and was accompanist for Forestier at the Olympia in Paris. Although an unlikely pairing, it resulted in a continued friendship. Rivard released his second LP, De Longueuil à Berlin, in 1979; that year also marked the beginning of Rivard's appearance in a series of concerts in Paris.
The 1980s
The following years saw Rivard involved in various collaborations, including film collaborations. These film collaborations included roles in Les Enfants de Kennedy, and Maria Chapdelaine. He also wrote scores for films, such as André Melançon's L'Espace d'un été, and Jean-Michel Ribes's Rien ne va plus. He also acted playing the lead Yves Simoneau's Pourquoi M. Zolock s'intéresse-t-il tant à la bande dessinée? (Why is Mr. Zolock so interested in Comic Strips?) (1982). He joined the LNI (Ligue nationale d'improvisation [National Improvisation League]) in 1980 and performed for several years. Not wanting to miss an opportunity for some political humour, Rivard was a candidate for the satirical Rhinoceros Party of Canada in 1980 when he ran against former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
He returned to music in 1983 with the release of his third LP, Sauvage. This LP included "Schefferville, le dernier train", a tune that became quite popular and which was written for the film Le Dernier glacier. (Rivard also acted in this film). Rivard made a music video of another song on Sauvage: "Rumeurs sur la ville". It was directed by Louis Saia and André Gagnon and won the Félix Video Clip of the Year for 1985 – awarded at the ADISQ (Association du disque, de l'industrie du spectacle québécois et de la vidéo) award ceremonies.
During this time Rivard toured Quebec. He released a fourth LP, called Bonsoir... Mon nom est Michel Rivard et voici mon album double. This was a live recording made during his 1983–84 concerts. These live show recordings display his adeptness at comic improvisation as well as his musical creativity.
In December 1988 Rivard played the Convocation Hall in Toronto, Ontario. It was the first time in ten years that a Québécois sang in French there. Rivard continued to garner awards: In 1988 he won two more Félix awards "Concert of the Year" and "Male Singer of the Year." He also participated in concerts supporting political and humanitarian issues, among them: the Amnesty International concert "Human Rights Now!" along with Youssou N'Dour, Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, and others.
What was to become his most popular album, Un trou dans les nuages was issued in late 1987. It included songs that would be enduring hits for him: "Ma blonde et les poissons", "Libérer le trésor", "Je voudrais voir la mer", "Le privé", and "Un trou dans les nuages". Rivard received many awards for this album including the Charles-Cros Academie International Grand Prize.
Rivard released another album in 1989, Michel Rivard a compilation of greatest hits. He continued to perform concerts in Canada and Europe.
The 1990s
Rivard's seventh album Le goût de l'eau…et autres chansons naïves came out in 1992. It too became another award winning album for him and in 1993 Rivard performed at the Olympia theatre in Paris.
At this point in time Rivard's prominence as a creative musician and poetic lyricist with a broad humanitarian vision put him on a par with the two great performers of a previous Québécois generation, Gilles Vigneault and Félix Leclerc. Rivard's "Complainte du phoque en Alaska"' was one of the few songs recorded by Leclerc that Leclerc did not write himself. Rivard also shares with those two men, though more moderately, a concern and interest in Quebec's nationalist aspirations.
In 1998, Rivard released the haunting and personal Maudit Bonheur.
He had his own variety television show, Studio TV5, for a couple of years, where he invited musicians, songwriters, and singers that he enjoyed performing with and jammed with them.
[edit] The 2000s
Rivard's concert career continues and he also continues to perform in theatre. In 2002 his album Simple (a live concert album) came out, and in 2004 Bonsoir…mon nom est toujours Michel Rivard et voici mon album quadruple came out.
On August 5, 2007 Rivard performed the last show at the Montreal Spectrum. He had been the only act to perform over one hundred concerts at the venue.
Le Retour De Don Quichotte
Michel Rivard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
je t'écris ces quelques lignes
sur du papier quadrillé
ça te rappellera l'école
et les années folles
moi c'est le seul papier que j'ai
ça fait déjà deux semaines
on m'a laissé le droit de sortir
téléphone
j'ai préféré t'écrire
j'te raconte pas
tout ce qu'on m'a fait
ni tout ce qu'on m'a fait dire
ni tout ce qu'on m'a dit
pour me faire croire
qu'on voulait me guérir
j't'écris pas pour me plaindre
j'avais juste le goût de parler
c'est encore troublant pour moi
d'être revenu dans le quartier
cinq ans sans recevoir de nouvelles
faut dire que j'en ai pas donné
y'a des mélodrames
qu'on est aussi bien
de ne jamais publier
le soleil me fait tout drôle
les rues sont belles
ça sent le printemps
on pourrait peut-être
se voir un peu
peut-être que t'as pas le temps
tu peux dire à tout le monde
que don quichotte est revenu
avec son cheval de porcelaine
et une armure qui ne tient plus
les romances impossibles
qui traînent le soir au coin des rues
comme les moulins et les géants
ne lui font pas plus peur qu'avant
quand on passe le temps
que j'ai passé
à vivre en attendant
entre les quatre murs
et le lit trop dur
offerts par le gouvernement
on écrit aux larmes
sur les draps blancs
d'incroyables comédies
pour tous les acteurs drôles
qui apprennent leurs rôles
dans les coulisses de l'ennui
pour tous les fous
qui ont peur de l'amour
comme des sirènes dans la nuit
pour toutes les fées des étoiles
toutes les robes de bal
de toutes les reines
de tous les carnavals
pour tous les imbéciles qui chassent la baleine
sur d'immenses bateaux
mais qui ne voient jamais
le poisson d'avril
qui leur pend dans le dos
tu peux dire à tout le monde
que don quichotte est revenu
avec son cheval de porcelaine
et une armure qui ne tient plus
les romances impossibles
qui traînent le soir au coin des rues
comme les moulins et les géants
ne lui font pas plus peur qu'avant
comme tu vois
on peut pas vraiment dire
que quelque chose a changé
mais je reviens debout
c'est déjà beaucoup
et c'est déjà le mois de mai
j'aimerais juste trouver la place
que tout le monde finit
par se trouver
et si t'as le goût de me voir
j'te raconterai
de belles histoires de chevaliers
The song "Le Retour De Don Quichotte" by Michel Rivard is a heartfelt message written from the perspective of Don Quichotte himself, who has just returned home after being away for five years. The lyrics begin by Don Quichotte writing a letter to a loved one on a piece of quadrilled paper, reminiscing about their school years and the "crazy" times they shared. He tells them that he was allowed to leave his confinement two weeks ago and decided to write instead of calling, as he is not very good on the phone. He then shares that he won't go into detail about everything that happened to him, saying only that he was made to believe he could be cured.
Don Quichotte shares that it is still strange for him to be back in the old neighborhood after so long without any contact. He mentions some of the melodramas that unfold there and how it is better not to publish them. He then talks about how the sun feels different, how the streets are beautiful, and how it smells like spring. He expresses the desire to see his loved one, mentioning that people can spread the word that he has returned with his porcelain horse and an armor that doesn't fit. The romances and impossible situations that he once feared, like the windmills and giants, no longer scare him. He has spent time living, waiting, and sleeping on a government bed, writing incredible comedies on white sheets for all the funny actors who learn their roles in the backstage of boredom. He writes for the fools who chase whales on big boats but never see the April fish hanging on their backs. Finally, he concludes that although things haven't changed much, the fact that he is back on his feet is a lot, and it's already May. He hopes to find his place, just like everyone else, and tells his loved one that he would tell them stories of knights if they meet.
Line by Line Meaning
retour de don quichotte
Michel Rivard's return to his home town after spending five years in prison.
je t'écris ces quelques lignes
Michel is writing a letter to a friend.
sur du papier quadrillé
He is writing on lined paper.
ça te rappellera l'école
The lined paper will remind his friend of school days.
et les années folles
And the crazy years of their youth.
moi c'est le seul papier que j'ai
The lined paper is the only paper Michel has.
ça fait déjà deux semaines
It has been two weeks since Michel has been allowed to leave prison.
on m'a laissé le droit de sortir
He has been granted parole.
comme j'suis pas tellement fort sur le téléphone
Michel doesn't like talking on the phone.
j'ai préféré t'écrire
He prefers to write to his friend.
j'te raconte pas
He can't describe everything that happened to him in prison.
tout ce qu'on m'a fait
All the things that were done to him.
ni tout ce qu'on m'a fait dire
All the things he was forced to say.
ni tout ce qu'on m'a dit
All the lies he was told.
pour me faire croire
All the things they did to make him believe.
qu'on voulait me guérir
That they wanted to help him.
j't'écris pas pour me plaindre
Michel is not writing to complain.
j'avais juste le goût de parler
He just wants to talk.
c'est encore troublant pour moi
Michel is still dealing with the emotional trauma of his experience.
d'être revenu dans le quartier
He feels strange being back in his hometown.
cinq ans sans recevoir de nouvelles
He has not received any news for five years.
faut dire que j'en ai pas donné
He admits that he did not reach out to anyone either.
y'a des mélodrames
There are some things that are better left unsaid.
qu'on est aussi bien
Some dramas are best kept private.
de ne jamais publier
And never shared with anyone.
le soleil me fait tout drôle
Michel is feeling emotional in the warm sun.
les rues sont belles
He finds the streets beautiful.
ça sent le printemps
He can smell spring in the air.
on pourrait peut-être
Maybe they can meet up.
se voir un peu
Meet up for a bit.
peut-être que t'as pas le temps
Michel understands if his friend is too busy though.
tu peux dire à tout le monde
He wants his friend to spread the news.
que don quichotte est revenu
Michel wants everyone to know he is back.
avec son cheval de porcelaine
And his porcelain horse.
et une armure qui ne tient plus
And an armor that is now broken.
les romances impossibles
Michel sees the impossible romances.
qui traînent le soir au coin des rues
That happen in the dark corners of the streets.
comme les moulins et les géants
Just like the windmills and giants in Don Quixote's tales.
ne lui font pas plus peur qu'avant
Michel is not afraid of them anymore.
quand on passe le temps
When you have time to reflect.
que j'ai passé
Like the time Michel spent in jail.
à vivre en attendant
Waiting for his release.
entre les quatre murs
Between the four walls of his cell.
et le lit trop dur
And the uncomfortable bed.
offerts par le gouvernement
Provided by the government.
on écrit aux larmes
While crying, the prisoners write.
sur les draps blancs
On the white sheets.
d'incroyables comédies
Michel wrote comedic stories on those sheets.
pour tous les acteurs drôles
For all those who needed something to laugh at.
qui apprennent leurs rôles
And for those who need to learn their parts.
dans les coulisses de l'ennui
In the boring confines of prison life.
pour tous les fous
For all the other prisoners who have lost their minds.
qui ont peur de l'amour
Who are scared of love.
comme des sirènes dans la nuit
Just like the sirens of Greek mythology who lure sailors to their death.
pour toutes les fées des étoiles
For all the dreamers looking up at the stars.
toutes les robes de bal
For all the ball gowns.
de toutes les reines
Worn by all the queens.
de tous les carnavals
At all the carnivals.
pour tous les imbéciles qui chassent la baleine
For all the fools chasing impossible dreams.
sur d'immenses bateaux
On huge boats.
mais qui ne voient jamais
But never actually see.
le poisson d'avril
The joke that's right in front of their face.
qui leur pend dans le dos
That they can't see because it's behind them.
comme tu vois
As you can see.
on peut pas vraiment dire
It's hard to say.
que quelque chose a changé
It doesn't seem like much has changed.
mais je reviens debout
But Michel is back on his feet.
c'est déjà beaucoup
That's already a big accomplishment.
et c'est déjà le mois de mai
And it's already May.
j'aimerais juste trouver la place
Michel just wants to find his place in the world.
que tout le monde finit
Just like everyone else does.
par se trouver
Eventually, we all find our place.
et si t'as le goût de me voir
And if his friend wants to see him.
j'te raconterai
Michel will tell him some stories.
de belles histoires de chevaliers
Maybe some stories of knights and chivalry.
Contributed by Dominic A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michel Rossignol
je crois que vous compositions
sont d'un haut calibre
Non seulement la paroles mais aussi les riches structures d'accords et les melodies quelles engendrent
si vous voudriez traduire la complainte du phoque en Alaska, en langue anglaise avec votre consentement je pourrais vous en soumettre un brouillon
puisque je trouves que cette chanson est un veritable chef d'oeuvre
et Dieu sait que c'est une chanson que mon pere me demande
d' interpreter a presque tout les party de famille
aussi il y a quelques annees un de mes Amis m'as demander si je serais capable de traduire
votre chanson qui pourrait, etre :
Believe it or not,
somewhere in Alaska there's a seal
Who's as lonesome as me
his girlfriend is gone
to earn a living in a circus in the US Of A
the seal is a alone and watches the sunset which shines down on the glaciers
he weeps gently as he misses her
such it is when your girlfriend is gone
it ain't worth your while, to leave your loved one and bounce circus balls on the tip of your nose
though the children are joyful
you just know it won't last
and everyone weeps when the
children are grown
when the seal is bored he glares at
is coat which is shiny like bright New York days
dreaming of Chicago and Marylin
Monroe , wishing he was watching the show
though it may be a wives tale
I can hardly believe
I sure know how it feels
to weep in the dark
when your loved ones
are gone and you wish
they could here with you
si vous voulez vous pouvez me contacter : Michel Rossignol
819 329 4236 mrr7458814@gmail.com
merci et au revoir, Dieu voulant
guylainebell
J'adore vos mélodies et vos textes de Beau Dommage à Michel Rivard!!!! Milles merci de nous faire vivre de si belles émotions!!
Sylvie Simard
J'ai lu les Don Quichotte de la Mancha dernièrement. Une histoire de chevalier errant et d'un homme trop sensible et incompris. Miguel de Cervantes de Saaveda avait un immense talent et son oeuvre a traversé les siècles sans jamais être démodée. Votre chanson est un bel hommage à cet écrivain de génie. On y sent bien toute la solitude De Don Quichotte. Bravo et merci.
Sylvain Dumont
La souffrance d'être seul dans sa tête MERCI Michel
maurice ethier
C'est touchant merci!
sampea CAML
Michel Rivard a une si jolie voix!
Pierre Cantin
Touchant !
valerie zouzoute
enfin ! mille mercis ! une très belle chanson, je me rappelle d'un vieux lecteur K7 pendant en voyage un long voyage en voiture, ou je l'ai écoutée à tue tête ! quoiqu'avec un lecteur K7 ! je me demande si a couvraitt le bruit du moteur. Merci à qqssaa, et Merci Monsieur Michel Rivard. et oui tu peux le dire à tout le monde........
Luc-Rosaire Cournoyer
Très beau texte!
daniel lemarbre
très belle chanson, sur ce sujet encore trop tabou:celui de la maladie mentale.
P. Guerin Ph.D
Génial.