Song Meaning

Gilles Vigneault's "Chacun fait selon sa façon" isn't just a song; it's a quiet manifesto on the enduring power of art, a poignant defense of beauty in a world seemingly hell-bent on forgetting it. The literal translation, "Each does according to his way, I still make songs," is deceptively simple. Vigneault positions himself as a craftsman, a weaver of melodies intended not merely to entertain, but to soothe, awaken, and ultimately, to *tame*. He's writing songs "to tame the night," "to tame boredom," hinting at a primal need to bring order and understanding to the chaos of existence. The undercurrent of melancholy is unmistakable. Vigneault laments that "man does not learn his lessons," questioning the efficacy of his own artistic endeavors. This isn't naive optimism; it's the weary resignation of an artist who understands the Sisyphean nature of his task. Yet, he returns to his "notebook," embracing the elements of "air, rhyme, and reason" – the very building blocks of song – as weapons against despair. He even plays on the word "jardin" (garden) suggesting a constant need to nurture and cultivate, not just literally, but also the human spirit. The search for meaning in the face of human failing is a central theme. Vigneault’s lyrical journey takes a darker turn as he confronts mortality itself, seeking to create "a song to tame death." This isn't a literal conquest, but an acceptance, a weaving of words and melodies into a tapestry that acknowledges the inevitable. He invokes the cyclical nature of life – "the sowing makes the harvest" – and acknowledges the "arpents of the wind" demanding "living words." This is a call to action, an urgent plea for art that resonates, that breathes, that confronts the wolves of fear and the trappers lurking in the depths of our own psyches. The song concludes with a return to the opening line, reinforcing the deeply personal nature of his artistic commitment. "Chacun fait selon sa façon" is, ultimately, about finding one's own way to navigate the complexities of life, and for Vigneault, that way is through song.