[see Jacques Offenbach for the French classical composer]

Offenbach… Read Full Bio ↴[see Jacques Offenbach for the French classical composer]

Offenbach is a Canadian blues rock band formed in Quebec in 1969 by Gerry Boulet, Michael Lamonthe, Jr., and Wezo. The band signed with the independent Barclay label in 1972 and released the French album Offenbach Soap Opera. Four years later, A&M provided a record deal and released the band's self-titled album in 1977. Also released that year was Never Too Tender and another self-titled LP. Lamonthe and Wezo left around that time and were replaced by Pierre Lavoie and Norman Kerr (though Kerr left soon after). In 1979, Offenbach recorded Traversion and added more new members, Breen LeBoeuf and John McVale. Four more studio albums followed — En Fusion (1980), Tonnedebrick (1983), Live a Fond D'Train (1984) and Rockorama (1985) — before the band split up in 1986. Recorded live in Montreal, the Offenbach album, Le Dernier Show, appeared in 1986. Gerry Boulet recorded two solo albums, Presque 40s in 1984 and Rendezvous Doux in 1988.

n 1996, McGale, Gravel and Leboeuf reunited as Offenbach Inc. for a reunion tour. Due to Boulet's death, they selected Martin Deschamps, who had recently won Quebec's L'Empire des futures stars competition, as the band's new vocalist. They toured extensively for two years, and released a greatest hits compilation in 1999. A second volume of hits followed in 2002.

In 2005, the band released Nature, which consisted of acoustic versions of their classic hits. It also includes one new song "L'amour est cruel" (Love is cruel). The music was written by Gravel in the 1980s and the words were later added by Deschamps. A concert at Montrteal's Bell Center on April 1, 2005, marked the 25th anniversary of Offenbach's first Forum show.

In 2018, Offenbach released Renaissance the first disc of new material in 33 years.

Je l'sais bien
Offenbach Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Je l? sais ben que t? as eu d? la mis? re
T? as tout fait c? qu? y? tait possible de faire
Tu t? prot? ges, t? as les yeux comme des pierres
Tu m? r? p? tes que des larmes ten a plus...
Tu caches ton coeur dans ton poing referm?
Tu donnes des coups pis c? est toi qu? y est bless?
Laisse donc les autres te desserrer les doigts
La main et l? coeur vont s? ouvrir? la fois...

Je l? sais ben qu? on t? a fait des promesses
T? as connu les amours? cr? dit

Tu donnes plus comme avant ta tendresse
Tu L? changes tu veux des garanties...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Offenbach's song "Je l'sais bien" convey the message of a person who is going through a tough time in life. The person is depicted as being defensive and guarded, with eyes like stones and a heart that they've closed off in a clenched fist. Although they've done everything possible to cope with their difficulties, they seem to have lost the ability to cry and express their feelings. They've also become skeptical of love and are hesitant to offer their tenderness unless they're guaranteed something in return.

The song's chorus serves as a comforting voice, urging the person to let go and allow others to help them. It suggests that by loosening their grip, both their hand and heart will open up at the same time. The overall message is one of hope, as the person is reminded that despite their struggles, they're not alone and that there's always someone available to support them.

The lyrics are emotionally charged, with a raw and honest portrayal of the individual's struggles. The use of metaphors such as eyes like stones and a heart in a clenched fist convey the feeling of being closed off and guarded. The chorus offers a message of hope and support, reminding the person that they don't have to face their struggles alone.

Line by Line Meaning

Je l? sais ben que t? as eu d? la mis? re
I know very well that you have experienced hardship.

T? as tout fait c? qu? y? tait possible de faire
You have done everything that was possible to do.

Tu t? prot? ges, t? as les yeux comme des pierres
You protect yourself, you have eyes like stones.

Tu m? r? p? tes que des larmes ten a plus...
You repeat to me that you no longer have any tears...

Tu caches ton coeur dans ton poing referm?
You hide your heart in your closed fist.

Tu donnes des coups pis c? est toi qu? y est bless?
You hit back and hurt yourself in the process.

Laisse donc les autres te desserrer les doigts
Let others help you loosen your grip.

La main et l? coeur vont s? ouvrir? la fois...
Your hand and your heart will open at the same time...

Je l? sais ben qu? on t? a fait des promesses
I know very well that promises were made to you.

T? as connu les amours? cr? dit
You have known love and believed in it.

Tu donnes plus comme avant ta tendresse
You no longer give your tenderness as you once did.