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.
Le juge et l'assassin
Offenbach Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Explique-moi donc ton crime, dis pourquoi, peux-tu répondre?
Je l'ai tuée parce que je l'aimais
Pis que j'la comprenais jamais
J'étais tanné qu'à m'tire le portrait
J'pouvais pus jamais faire le frais
Pus faire le frais
Le juge demande à celui qui vient de s'faire prendre
Explique-moi donc pourquoi tu pouvais pas la comprendre?
Les femmes, c'est pu pareil comme avant
Y veulent jamais rester en d'dans
Y disent que, s'occuper des enfants
C'est un p'tit peu comme faire du temps
Le juge demande au mari presseur de gâchette
Explique-moi donc pourquoi t'es sorti de ta cachette?
Je l'ai tuée parce que je l'aimais
Pis que j'la comprenais jamais
Maintenant, j'm'ennuie d'pu voir son portrait
Pis j'ai pu l'goût de faire le frais
De faire le frais
L'assassin s'est retrouvé en d'dans
Assis tout seul sur un banc
Y s'rait p't-être plus content, libre comme avant
Le juge a retrouvé ses enfants
Y est un peu plus indulgent
C'est ben plus plaisant
Que d'être pogné pour faire du temps
C'est juste un p'tit crime passionnel
C'est rien de ben sensationnel
C'est juste bon pour les nouvelles
Offenbach's song, "Le juge et l'assassin," tells the story of a judge questioning three individuals who have all committed the same crime: killing their significant other. The judge seeks to understand and uncover the motive behind their actions.
In the first verse, the judge asks the murderer of his wife to explain his crime. The murderer responds by saying he killed her because he loved her but did not understand her. He was tired of her criticizing him and nagging him relentlessly. He couldn't handle it anymore.
In the next verse, the judge questions a man who just got caught for killing his wife. He asks him why he couldn't understand his wife. The man replies that women are not the same as they used to be. They never want to stay at home, and they complain about taking care of children, which is like being in prison.
In the final verse, the judge asks the third man, who was hiding to avoid capture, why he killed his wife. He responds similarly to the first man, saying he killed her because he loved her but did not understand her. However, now, he misses her and regrets his actions.
The song portrays how many women were treated in society at the time of its release in 1976. The lyrics showcase men's entitlement to their wives and a lack of understanding of them. The song also critiques the justice system's approach to such crimes by portraying the judge as being lenient and forgiving towards the perpetrators, which may not have been the case in reality.
Line by Line Meaning
Le juge demande à celui qui a tué sa blonde
The judge asks the one who killed his girlfriend. Please explain your crime and why. Can you respond?
Je l'ai tuée parce que je l'aimais
I killed her because I loved her, and I could never understand her. I was tired of dealing with her portrait and I couldn't afford to do it anymore.
Le juge demande à celui qui vient de s'faire prendre
The judge asks the one who was caught. Why couldn't you understand her?
Les femmes, c'est pu pareil comme avant
Women are not the same as they were before. They never want to stay inside anymore. They say taking care of children is like serving time.
Le juge demande au mari presseur de gâchette
The judge asks the husband who pulled the trigger. Why did you come out of your hiding place?
Maintenant, j'm'ennuie d'pu voir son portrait
Now, I miss seeing her portrait, and I don't have the urge to cause any more trouble. I don't want to spend any more money.
L'assassin s'est retrouvé en d'dans
The killer found himself inside, sitting alone on a bench. He would probably be happier if he was free like before.
Le juge a retrouvé ses enfants
The judge found his children and became more lenient. It's much nicer than being caught and serving time.
C'est juste un p'tit crime passionnel
It's just a little crime of passion. It's not anything sensational. It's just good for the news.
Lyrics © Intermède Musique Intl
Written by: Marc Desjardins, Marcel Martel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Martin
on Une fille sans famille
Y a des erreur dans les paroles