Backstory
(Translation of lyrics follows below. For original French, tap here.)
This is a song about a young lady named Nathalie... She was a beaming, happy person and the daughter of Claude & Lise; neighbours I had during the time all three of my own kids came into this world. Neighbours that were, and still are to this day lovely, kind individuals. We understandably grew close.
Sadly, Nathalie passed away in November, 2020.
It was a shock to everyone who knew her.
They missed her lighting up every room she entered and also how she never left that room without sending out a "Je t'aime. Je t'aime. Je t'aime!"
Nathalie owned a guitar that she never played. After she passed, her father, Claude reached out to me and offered it up in a message that included a few pictures of it. I immediately recognized it was an instrument he should perhaps not part with. I sent him a few links to people selling similar guitars to give him and idea of the value.
Nothing doing. He and his wife, Lise, insisted. They wanted it to go to someone who would appreciate and use it.
It's the 1961 Gibson pictured here.
Since it was a “display” guitar, it certainly looked beautiful but from a playability perspective, it was in terrible shape. I'm fairly certain the strings on it were older than me and the wood was so brittle that the saddle was lifting and body cracking. I brought it to a few luthiers in town and they all said the same thing... it would cost thousands more than its value to bring it back to its original state.
I decided to store it with humidifiers and slowly rehydrate it in the hopes of bringing it back to at least temporary playability. This was because, when Claude & Lise handed the instrument over to me, I promised I would write a song for Nathalie and record it with her guitar.
As time passed waiting for the humidifiers to do their work, I slowly looked through Nathalie's socials and also periodically visited with Claude & Lise who were always more than happy to fill my ears with stories.
What emerged was a picture of a beautiful soul in a vibrant love affair with life. She poured every ounce of her self into every aspect of her life.
And she loved.
Deeply.
Knowing not to push the creative process, I waited for inspiration to strike and words to flow. And that's exactly what finally happened in February 2025 when this song fell out of me.
Immediately, I knew who I wanted to sing this song. Another beautiful soul, in a vibrant love affair with life, who pours her self into every aspect of her life (including her music). France, the lead singer for Autumn Moon, accepted and I was thrilled. She of course far exceeded the dreams I had for this song with her impeccable delivery and beautiful voice.
The bridge, where I briefly sing, is a reflection on this post, from November 8th, 2020 just a few short weeks before Nathalie left us (click image to expand).
…and now… the translation of the words:
I love you. I love you. I love you.
I love birds. I love the guitar.
I love underdogs who achieve victory.
But above all; well, especially...
I love you. I love you. I love you.
I don't drive my Ford Escort.
I love the bus, it's my mode of transport.
And walks in nature,
I love fresh air and greenery.
I love to unwind. I love travelling.
I love drawing different landscapes.
But above all; well, especially...
I love you. I love you. I love you.
The encouragement of memes
That help with our burdens
Long weekends
In the moonlight or near the water
So long ago, dreams that we chased.
So many years, one more today.
Like love at first sight or long lost friends,
we lived those clichés…
…never to be decried again...
I love holidays. Aylmer or the Louvre.
It doesn't matter. I explore wherever I am.
I love the decorations... and little trinkets
That Mom and Dad... each imagined.
I like the name.
That you gave me...
And also this life
That often gives me shivers
I love birds. I love my guitar.
Little streams. A life of merit.
But above all; well, especially...
I love you. I love you. I love you.
And after all... it's thanks to you...
that I love... that I love... that... I love.
_________________________
In loving memory: Nathalie Hardy
© L. Normand, 2025
All rights reserved.