In 2010, French-Canadian singer and composer France D’Amour asked me to write lyrics for her first album in English.
France D’Amour is hugely successful in Quebec for her Rock & Roll albums, but she wanted to do something new and different, a jazzy album influenced by the music of the 1930’s and 40s. When she asked me to write for her, I happily obliged, inspired by my love of the period and influenced by the film noir atmosphere of Humphrey Bogart’s movies. This was an immensely rewarding experience. France is vibrant and talented, original and passionate about her music, she’s a lot of fun to work with and, to top it all, she has a golden voice. The album, Bubble Bath & Champagne, came out in April 2011.
Sorry I’m Happy
I’m hitting the road
I’m not even angry
I’m not in speed mode
So why should I hurry?
I’m leaving home ‘cause my roses are dead
I’m leaving home ‘cause my lover is gone
Sorry I’m happy,
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing,
I’ve never felt so free
Sorry
The waitress is tired, the coffee is cold
The worker’s downing his burger and coke
I have places to see, night is getting old
I’ll be on my way, I’m going for broke
Sorry I’m happy,
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing,
I’ve never felt so free
Sorry
My money is spent, my parrot has fled
And no one I know calls me on the phone
You’d think I would cry, I’m laughing instead
It’s been such a kick to be on my own
Sorry I’m happy,
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing,
At last I can be me
Please open the door
What did they do to your soul?
Who froze your heart, who stole
Your joys and your sorrows too?
What did you do to you?
Where has your cheery laugh gone?
Where is your kindness hiding?
Have you become a pawn
Others are applauding?
Am I misunderstanding
You that I adore?
I miss you my darling
Please, please open the door.
Have the fame and the glory
Made you a god above?
Have your sins been so gory
That you can never love?
Am I misunderstanding
You that I adore?
I miss you my darling
Please, please open the door.
No need to pretend
That everything is all right
Reach for my hand
Better to forgive than fight
Am I misunderstanding
You that I adore?
I miss you my darling
Please, please open the door.
Dressed to Kill
She’s dressed to kill
She’s meeting someone
In the bar and grill
Of the Biltmore Hotel
She’s swinging her hips
She has a hat on
By the smile on her lips
She’s pleased, you can tell
They’re playing live jazz music
It makes her feel like a dame
She’s putting on some lipstick
Bright and red, her mouth aflame
No rules to that game
Old man found out
She’s been out and about
Now he’s waiting for her
Just around the corner
He fingers his gun
His tie is undone
Each step of the belle
Is closer to hell
They’re playing live jazz music
It makes her feel like a dame
She’s putting on some lipstick
Bright and red, her mouth aflame
No rules to that game
As she stepped off the stair
On a soulful air
The man from Bel Air
Ended her affair
They played live jazz music
It made her feel like a dame
The blood on her lips, so slick
Bright and red, a crying shame
They’re playing live jazz music
No rules to that game
They’re playing live jazz music
No rules to that game
But You Did
You said you’d never hurt me
But you did anyway
You said you wouldn’t leave me
But you did
You said you’d never cheat
Or resort to deceit
But you did oh you did. But you did anyway
You kissed my hand
You showed respect
So perfect
You swept me off my feet
Each moment was a treat
You swore you’d never stray
But you did anyway
You wouldn’t treat your dog
Like you did.
But you did anyway
But you did anyway
You were much too good
To be true
I kept knocking on wood
But I knew
Something in me said
Not to sleep in your bed
But I did oh I did, But I did anyway
Although I knew
How could I not
Fall for you?
Let The Love Begin
When you draw a long line
All the way down my spine
When you follow that track
To the small of my back
When the touch of your fingers
Makes me sigh and then lingers
I shake, tremble and shiver
I want you, be my lover
Nobody makes me feel
Like you make me feel
You play me like a violin
Oh, let the love begin
Let the love begin
When my blood turns into wine
Around you my legs entwine
Now you’re mine, I’m your grapevine
Oh, your love is so divine
But the look in your eyes
Is what conquered my heart
It took me by surprise
It was a work of art
Nobody makes me feel
Like you make me feel
You play me like a violin
Oh, let the love begin
Let the love begin
Hot Ticket
Loving you is extravagant
I can’t afford to even dream of it
Handsome, sunny and elegant
You win it all with bewitching wit
Loving you is exorbitant
I shouldn’t call but I can’t help it
You’re too distant, I’m imprudent
To hear your voice would be exquisite
I’m yours, you’re it,
You’re a sky-rocket
I’m hooked, you’re it,
You’re my own secret
You’re the hot ticket
Loving you is magnificent
You were there, the café was sunlit
Meeting you was no accident
I must admit, I nearly lost it
For You and Me
The world’s going round
From Ocean to Sea
So the sun can rise
For you and me
Such a good playground
Big as can be
You can dance in disguise
Free as a bee
We may be hell bound
Yes, you and I
For being too wise
Our dreams too high
But when love’s newfound
Between me and thee
Hell is Paradise
For you and me
The world’s going round
Ocean to Sea
So the sun can rise
For you and me
Sorry I’m Happy Original Version
I’m hitting the road
I’m not even angry
I’m not in speeding mode
So why should I hurry?
I’m leaving home ’cause my roses are dead
I’m leaving home ’cause my lover is gone
My money is spent, my parrot has fled
And no one I know calls me on the phone
Sorry, I’m Happy
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing
I’ve never felt so free
There’s a fizz in my veins, I feel light in the head
I just want to go where the land has an end
Maybe I should cry, I’m laughing instead
They told me the rules they’re not willing to bend
Sorry I’m Happy
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing
I’ve never felt so free
The waitress is tired, the coffee is cold
The worker’s downing his burger and fries
I have places to see, night is getting old
I’ll be on my way, before I get wise
Sorry I’m Happy
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing
I’ve never felt so free
Day’s coming now, the sun’s being shy
The road’s winding high, with the mist in tow
A river of crows, so dark in the sky
The blue city lights are drowning below
Sorry I’m Happy
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing
I’ve never felt so free
Sorry I’m happy,
I can’t help smiling
I can’t help singing,
At last I can be me
The songs can be downloaded at:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/bubble-bath-champagne/id430337905
Or, you can listen to some excerpts at:
http://www.postedecoute.ca/catalogue/album/france-amour-bubble-bath-champagne
An article in French, about the launching of the album:
http://fr.canoe.ca/divertissement/musique/nouvelles/2011/04/20/18048456.html
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