“Ma Belle” (listen below!) is the kind of song that happens when your heart takes a walk around Paris. Last May, I visited the French capital for the first time. I didn’t realize I had never tasted bread before. Or butter!

In this song, I wanted the name Ma Belle to repeat like the bells of Norte Dame—the medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris known for its French Gothic architecture, colorful rose windows, and massive bells. Notre Dame means “Our Lady,” a reference to the Virgin Mary.

For the record, I know that belle is French for “beautiful,” not “bell.” It’s just a coincidence that I wanted “belle” to sound like a bell!

I do not speak French, let along sing French. I did not intend for “Ma Belle” to have more than a simple refrain in French. But it ended up with three different choruses en français. If my grammar and pronunciation are terrible, please go right ahead and blame Google Translate!

I viewed or visited all the places mentioned in “Ma Belle.” To prove it, I made a music video! It’s a slide show of vacation photos, with a very personal soundtrack.

“Ma Belle” contains two sound effects from the British Broadcasting Corporation (bbc.co.uk – © 2023 BBC), and two sound effects from Zapsplat.com.

Ma Belle

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Title:
“Ma Belle”

Number:
15

Length:
2:47

Vibe/inspiration:
The sights and sounds of Paris, yé-yé

Keys:
B-flat major and G minor

What I imagine people might say:

• “I’ve never been to Paris, so a spoiler alert would have been nice.”
• “I enjoyed the vicarious trip around Paris. Next time, why not stop at a café once in a while?”
• “The video was a nice distraction from the vocals.”
• “I guess writing a song is one way to get people to look at your holiday snaps.”

Lyrics:

Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle

[My heart is called Ma Belle]

When it was just your first Noël
Did you hear Our Lady knell?
Did the merrymakers wake you, Ma Belle?

When you were learning how to spell
Did you ride this carousel?
Did it turn and whirl and twirl you, Ma Belle?

Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle
Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle

[My heart is called Ma Belle
My heart is called Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]

When you were painting with pastel
Did you visit Raphael?
Did the Mona Lisa see you, Ma Belle?

When you were old enough to tell
Did you climb the tour Eiffel?
Did you miss my arm to warm you, Ma Belle?

Mon cœur me la rappelle
Mon cœur me la rappelle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle

[My heart reminds me of her
My heart reminds me of her
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]

[Instrumental chorus]

When you were but a demoiselle
Did you gaze on Sainte-Chapelle?
Did the glass amaze and daze you, Ma Belle?

Before you bade Paris farewell
Did you walk this way, Michelle?
Did the river flow below you, Ma Belle?

Mon cœur est éternel
Mon cœur est éternel
Ma Belle, Ma Belle

[My heart is eternal
My heart is eternal
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]

Mon cœur s’appelle Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle

[My heart is called Ma Belle
Ma Belle, Ma Belle]