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).
Stille Nacht
Mireille Mathieu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh′
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh'
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Tönt es laut von Fern′ und Nah
Christ, der Retter ist da
Christ, der Retter ist da
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'
Christ in deiner Geburt
Christ in deiner Geburt
The lyrics of Mireille Mathieu's song "Stille Nacht" (which translates to "Silent Night" in English) describe the peace and calm that has fallen upon the world, as everyone and everything falls asleep except for the holy couple and their child. The song begins with "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" which translates to "Silent night, Holy night", setting the tone for the rest of the song. The next line "Alles schläft, einsam wacht" which means "All is calm, all is bright" paints a picture of a peaceful and serene night, undisturbed by the outside world.
The second verse of the song speaks of the shepherds who had been visited by the angels, singing "Hirten erst, kundgemacht/ Durch der Engel Halleluja/ Tönt es laut von Fern′ und Nah/ Christ, der Retter ist da" which roughly translates to "Shepherds first, made aware/ By the angels' hallelujah/ Sounds aloud from distance and near/ Christ the savior is here". The shepherds have been made aware of the birth of Christ, and the angels have sung praises to announce his arrival.
The third and final verse speaks of the love and joy of Christ's birth, with the lyrics "Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht/ Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund/ Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'/ Christ in deiner Geburt" which mean "God's son, oh how he laughs/ Love from thy divine mouth/ Brings to us the redeeming birth/ Christ in thy birth". The birth of Christ has brought joy and salvation to the world, and this is celebrated in the song.
Overall, the lyrics of "Stille Nacht" speak of the peace and joy brought about by the birth of Jesus Christ, and the hope that his presence brings to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Silent night, holy night
Alles schläft, einsam wacht
All is asleep, lone watch is kept
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar
Only the trusted, high holy couple
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar
Gentle boy with curly hair
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh′
Sleep in heavenly peace
Hirten erst, kundgemacht
Shepherds first made known
Durch der Engel Halleluja
Through the angels' hallelujah
Tönt es laut von Fern′ und Nah
Loudly resounds from far and near
Christ, der Retter ist da
Christ the savior is here
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
God's son, oh how he laughs
Lieb aus deinem göttlichen Mund
Love from your divine mouth
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'
As the saving hour strikes for us
Christ in deiner Geburt
Christ in your birth
Writer(s): Franz Xaver Gruber, Joseph Mohr (pd), Alexander Seidl
Contributed by Abigail V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jozefszaniszlo5127
Ein französischer Künstler versteht das schönste Weihnachtslied der alten Welt! Das ist fantastisch! Ich war erleichtert ... ich weinte.
@G6JPG
Sie singt es naturlich sehr fein in Franzözisch - z. B. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCZYEMpUQ_4 (mit Nana), oder viele mit Kindern. Leider keine in Englisch. Es gibt einer interresanter sprachlose Version hier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCSMJoppdfc !
@arminw-bu6zd
@@G6JPG Weshalb sollte sie englisch singen? Sie ist Französin! Es ist schon mehr als beachtlich dass sie die deutsche Sprache deutlicher ausspricht als manch Deutscher.
@christiancolliard625
Chant de Noël en allemand avec Mireille Mathieu trois atouts pour que je puisse adorer ce petit bijou dans cet écrin de magie de Noël ! Bravo ❤!
@cristiana.huanucom.1426
Aquí en Lima-peru alguien que la sigue y admira varios años a pesar de mis 30 años señora gracias por todo
@g.g.202
Perfekt gesungen, wie man es von diesem Weltstar kennt. Leider nicht im Original und dazu noch die Strophen vertauscht, was natürlich nicht an ihr liegt!
@bmwaudi1129
Danke für alles liebe M. Mathieu. Ein Fan aus Österreich.
@G6JPG
Wie kann es "Offizielles Video" sein, als es kein Video hat!
@geroldm8549
Immernoch von der LP, aber als Video bei youtube eingestellt. Was anders ist bei youtube nicht möglich. Sie nannte es offizielles Video, weil es von ihr persönlich eingestellt wurde und von niemand Fremden. Vielleicht sollte sie es extra für Dich in Audio umbenennen.