[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.

Mes Blues Passent Pu Dans Porte
Offenbach Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tout seul chez nous avec moi-même
Tassé dans l'coin par mes problèmes
J'ai besoin d'quelque chose d'immoral
De quelque chose d'illégal pour survivre
J'devrais appeler chez drogue-secours
On sait jamais, p't'être ben qu'y livrent

Je l'sais, y faudrait ben que je sorte

Oui, mais mes blues passent pu dans'porte

Le frigidaire fait ben du bruit
C'est parce qu'y est vide pis moi aussi
Le téléphone c'est tout l'contraire
J'voudrais qu'y sonne mais lui y veut s'taire
Que l'diable m'emporte s'y veut a soir
Ça serait plus l'fun d'être en enfer qu'icitte

Je l'sais y faudrait ben que je sorte
Oui, mais mes blues passent pu dans'porte

Chu sur qu'y ont ben du fun dehors
C'est plein d'belles filles et de boisson d'in bars
J'aurais juste à me l'ver pis à tourner
La maudite poignée

Mais chu chez nous poigné ben dur
J'tourne en rond pis j'compte les murs
J'use mes jointures dans les coins sombres
À faire d'la boxe avec mon ombre
Au bout d'un round c'est moi qui perd
J'ai mal choisi mon adversaire

Je l'sais y faudrait ben que je sorte
Oui, mais mes blues passent pu dans'porte

Overall Meaning

The song 'Mes Blues Passent Pu Dans Porte' by Offenbach is a soulful and reflective piece that speaks about the singer's lonely and troubled state of mind. In the first verse, he describes his isolation as being alone at home with his problems, which has left him craving something immoral and illegal to survive. He acknowledges that he should call helplines to assist him with his struggles, but he questions the effectiveness of it. The singer reveals that he is aware that he needs to leave the house and do something productive, but his depression is so profound that his pain has surpassed the threshold; his blues are so overwhelming that they cannot pass the door.

In the second verse, the singer creates a vivid picture of his environment - a noisy refrigerator, a quiet phone, and himself being empty and quiet, like the latter. He fantasizes about an alternative scenario and imagines himself in hell, thinking that it might be more exhilarating than his current state. The singer recognizes that he can step out and enjoy the excitement of the outside world, but he has lost his ability to do so. He feels trapped, both physically and emotionally. He takes his frustration out in the corners, where he punches his shadow, but after a while, he realizes that he is fighting a pointless battle - a battle that he cannot win.

Overall, the lyrics of 'Mes Blues Passent Pu Dans Porte' are a poignant expression of a person struggling with depression, loneliness, and isolation. The song highlights the feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that comes with these conditions. It's a powerful reminder to seek help when it's needed and that sometimes, it is okay not to be okay.

Line by Line Meaning

Tout seul chez nous avec moi-même
Alone in my home with only myself for company

Tassé dans l'coin par mes problèmes
Squished into a corner by my problems

J'ai besoin d'quelque chose d'immoral
I need something immoral

De quelque chose d'illégal pour survivre
Something illegal to survive

J'devrais appeler chez drogue-secours
I should call drug helpline

On sait jamais, p't'être ben qu'y livrent
You never know, maybe they deliver

Je l'sais, y faudrait ben que je sorte
I know, I should go out

Oui, mais mes blues passent pu dans'porte
But my blues won't leave with me

Le frigidaire fait ben du bruit
The fridge is making a lot of noise

C'est parce qu'y est vide pis moi aussi
Because it's empty, just like me

Le téléphone c'est tout l'contraire
The phone is the opposite