She was born in Avignon, Vaucluse, France, the oldest daughter of a poor family of fourteen children. She began singing as a small child, appearing in public at the age of four, singing in her church. As a young girl she worked in a factory, where she saved her money to pay for singing lessons.
Discovered by Johnny Stark, manager of France's biggest star at the time, Johnny Hallyday, she was tutored by orchestra leader Paul Mauriat and song writer André Pascal who wrote "Mon crédo", "Viens dans ma rue", "La première étoile" and many other hits for her . After her television performance in 1965 and debut run at the Paris Olympia, she was immediately hailed as the next Édith Piaf, such was her haunting voice.
Singles such as "Mon Credo" and "C'est Ton Nom" made her a huge star in France and all over Europe while making her a big success in North America and Mexico. Her French cover of Engelbert Humperdinck's "The Last Waltz" generated much publicity in Great Britain and with hit after hit, she soon toured Canada and the United States where she appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Danny Kaye Show. In Las Vegas, she sang with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to great applause.
Still much in demand, she continues to perform regularly. She travels frequently, appearing at such venues as New York City's Carnegie Hall, Sport Palace in Montreal, Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles and Ice Palace of St. Petersburg. She has sold about 150 million copies of her albums in her 40 year career, recorded about 1200 songs in 9 languages, and was the first western singer in history who gave concerts in China. Over the years she sang duets with such luminaries as Charles Aznavour, Barry Manilow, Paul Anka, Plácido Domingo, Julio Iglesias, Tom Jones and others.
Songs such as "Acropolis adieu," "Ne me quitte pas," and "Santa Maria de la mer," are considered classics. Her French version of Roy Orbison's ballad, "Blue Bayou", is regarded by many as one of the best covers of that popular song.
In 1989, President François Mitterrand invited Mireille Mathieu to sing a tribute to General de Gaulle. She gave a series of concerts at the Palais des Congrès in Paris in December 1990. Three years later, she released an album devoted to her all-time idol, Édith Piaf.
In January 1996, "Vous lui direz…" was released. Maxime le Forestier wrote one of the titles, "A la moitié de la distance". She did not choose to perform live in France to promote the album, preferring rather to go to Los Angeles USA, where she triumphed on November 14th with her vibrant tribute to another of her idols, Judy Garland. The performance was a tremendous success she was dressed by Provence couturier, Christian Lacroix and looked stunning for the performance. [1]
In 2002, she released her 37th French album De tes mains. Mathieu celebrated the 40th anniversary of her career at the Paris Olympia, in November 2005, after releasing her 38th French album, which reached number 14 on the charts in France (it remained in the top 100 for several months).
La califfa
Mireille Mathieu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ha visto in me solo una cagna che mi mett' anch'io alla tua cattena
Se attravverso la città, questa 'ipocrita, tua città
Il corpo mio che passa tra di voi è un' invettiva contro la viltà.
Tu ritroverai con me la più splendida proprietà
Un attimo di sole sopra noi, alla ricerca di te.
In English, the lyrics to Mireille Mathieu's song La califfa translates to: "You would not believe because this cruelty of masters / Has seen in me only a bitch that I put myself in your chain / If through the city, this hypocrite, your city / My body that passes among you is an invective against cowardice / You will find with me the most splendid property / A moment of sun above us, in search of you."
The opening lines of the song speaks about how the singer (who is likely female) has been treated like a dog by her masters, and how people perceive her as such. She then talks about how her body passing through the city is a message to all those who have been cruel to her as well as to all those who have been hypocritical in their treatment of others. The singer then tells the person she is addressing (presumably, someone she is in love with) that he will find with her the most beautiful thing in life - a moment of happiness - and together they will search for it under the sun.
This song is a powerful statement against oppression, and speaks to the experiences of many individuals who have been treated unfairly by the world around them. It speaks of the human desire for happiness and freedom, and the need to break free from the chains that hold us back. The song's message is timeless and continues to resonate with people around the world to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Tu non crederei perche questa crudeltà di padroni
I understand if you don't believe me because these cruel masters only see me as a dog they can put on a chain.
Ha visto in me solo una cagna che mi mett' anch'io alla tua cattena
They only see me as someone they can control and oppress, just like you are being controlled.
Se attravverso la città, questa 'ipocrita, tua città
As I walk through this hypocritical city, your city,
Il corpo mio che passa tra di voi è un' invettiva contro la viltà.
My body passing through is a protest against the cowardice and cruelty that exists here.
Tu ritroverai con me la più splendida proprietà
But if you come with me, you will find the most beautiful and valuable possession.
Un attimo di sole sopra noi, alla ricerca di te.
A moment of sunshine above us, as we search for you.
Contributed by Layla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@luciano-pb6te
Per l' ennesima volta brano stupendo voce magnifica.
Mireille impareggiabile
@paolovignoli6709
Stupenda voce e stupenda musica celestiale del Grande Ennio.
@isaiahjohnston823
SUBLIME MIREILLE MATHIEU YOU'RE EXCEPTIONALLY beautiful and your voice is outstanding...,..
@66chicchetto
Grande omaggio di una eccezionale cantante al M° Morricone. Riposi in Pace, Maestro, ed ancora grazie.
@albertominiati2410
Bellissimo Film
@FranciscoFerrerGaliana1930
Simplemente maravillosa.!!!
@jeanpierrebressler8518
Un grand compositeur au service d'une voix exceptionnelle
@hardygreen1951
Hermosa canción,agradables acordes musicales ,por el gran talento y genio del Maestro Ennio Morricone.R.I.P.
@sandrorizzato1776
Grazie Maestro Morricone !!!
@andyok3625
This is my favourite rendition of one of my favourite songs. Just very beautiful indeed.