He and his friends formed the country rock ensemble Abbittibbi in the 1970s. Desjardins played piano, guitar, and sang. When the group disbanded in 1982, Desjardins pursued a solo career.
He also found work scoring films, especially documentaries. This involvement in the Quebec film industry even led him to co-direct a number of feature length documentaries. As well as his singing career, he is well known for his environmental activism.
Chaude Etait La Nuit
Richard Desjardins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
J'ai glissé dans mon canot d'acajou
Je t'attendrai oh elle a dit
Au milieu de la rivière au petit jour
Rendez-vous, rendez-vous
Télégramme à ma maman
Tu sais si bien, Justine, faire du bon temps
Je suis si bien ici
Ici et maintenant contenté contenté
Vraiment, vraiment tu me feras tout ça
Le toucan pisse au vent, je te désire tout l'temps
Cou cou courou coucou courou coucou
Le courant me pousse dans ton delta
Dans ton delta
The song "Chaude était la nuit" by Richard Desjardins tells a story of a passionate encounter between the singer and a woman. In the first verse, the singer sets the scene by describing a hot night and how he slipped into his mahogany canoe. He tells the woman that he will wait for her in the middle of the river at dawn, suggesting a clandestine meeting or romantic rendezvous.
The second verse introduces the mention of a telegram sent to the singer's mother, Justine. The telegram seems to imply that the singer is having a good time, possibly indicating that he has embarked on an adventurous and exciting journey. The mention of ananas (pineapple), which conveys a sense of exoticism and indulgence, further emphasizes the pleasures and enjoyment he is experiencing. He expresses contentment with his current situation, suggesting he is happy and satisfied in the present moment.
In the chorus, the lyrics become more abstract and poetic. The repetition of the phrase "cou cou courou coucou courou coucou" creates a rhythmic and playful sound, resembling bird songs or the sound of flowing water. This can be interpreted as the singer expressing his desires and longing for the woman. He compares himself to a toucan, a bird known for its vibrant colors and distinctive beak, and implies that he desires her all the time.
The final line of the song, "Le courant me pousse dans ton delta, dans ton delta" translates to "The current pushes me into your delta, into your delta." Here, the delta can be understood metaphorically as a symbol of the woman's body or her sensuality. The singer suggests that he is being irresistibly drawn towards her, carried away by the current of passion and desire.
Overall, the lyrics of "Chaude était la nuit" convey a sense of longing, passion, and a desire for intimacy. The song beautifully captures the emotions and experiences of a passionate encounter, exploring themes of adventure, pleasure, and the overwhelming force of attraction.
Line by Line Meaning
Chaude était la nuit
The night was warm
J'ai glissé dans mon canot d'acajou
I slipped into my mahogany canoe
Je t'attendrai oh elle a dit
I will wait for you, oh she said
Au milieu de la rivière au petit jour
In the middle of the river at dawn
Rendez-vous, rendez-vous
Meeting, meeting
Télégramme à ma maman
Telegram to my mother
Tu sais si bien, Justine, faire du bon temps
You know how to have a good time, Justine
Ananas oh ananas coulant
Pineapple, oh dripping pineapple
Je suis si bien ici
I am so well here
Ici et maintenant contenté contenté
Here and now, content, content
Vraiment, vraiment tu me feras tout ça
Really, truly, you will do all that for me
Le toucan pisse au vent, je te désire tout l'temps
The toucan pees in the wind, I desire you all the time
Cou cou courou coucou courou coucou
Coo coo courou cuckoo courou cuckoo
Le courant me pousse dans ton delta
The current pushes me into your delta
Dans ton delta
In your delta
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard Desjardins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind