"Just Because" - Pal Thibodeaux

Elie Daise "Pal" Thibodeaux grew up in the Port Arthur area. His childhood friends remember him speaking French and English very well. Even at a young age, Pal was known to be singing all the time.

After serving in the Navy, Pal was playing the piano with Bill Nettles from Natchitoches. Bill had been recording since 1934 in various groups. By 1950, he married Bill's daughter, Loyce. Together they played in Bill's group; The Dixie Blue Boys and would play on KMLB in Monroe.

Around 1950, Pal and Loyce moved to back to Pal's hometown in Port Arthur. Back home Pal had assembled a group and were playing locally on the radio. There Pal was playing piano with his group, but he could play any stringed instrument.

Juste parce que tu crois (que) t'es si jolie,

Juste parce que tu crois (que) t'es si belle,

Juste parce que tu crois (que) t'avais quelque chose,

Quelque chose qui n'va pas bien.

Tu as ri et tes dépense mon argent, 

Tu as ri et t'appelé mon vielle,

Moi, je te dis, c'est tout fini,

Parce que, juste parce que.

Eh, pas bon.

Oh, mais, villaines manières.

Il va venir un temps quand ton tout seul,

Il va venir un temps quand t'es chagrins,

...

Bill Nettles and the Dixie Blue Boys

In 1951, Pal cut his his first solo record for 4 Star Records. 4 Star Records was founded after World War Two and based in California. They were home to country acts such as the Maddox Brothers and Rose as well as Webb Pierce. The label had previously dabbled in recording Cajun music when they recorded Austin Pitre. More than likely the session was recorded at KMLB in Monroe. It was there Pal recorded "Just Because" (X-19) with his father in law, Bill, backing him on mandolin.

"Just Because" was originally recorded by Nelstone's Hawaiians in 1929. Over the years the song was recorded by The Rayne Bo Ramblers as "Jus Pasque" and Joe Falcon and Cleoma Breaux as "Jeuste Parcque". The song was made popular by the Shelton Brothers in the mid 1930's. With the popularity of radio, such stations as KWKH broadcasting out of Shreveport gave way to cultural mixing between Cajun music, Western swing and hillbilly.

Just because you think that you're so pretty,

Just because you think that you're so beautiful,

Just because you think that you have something,

Something that isn't doing well.

You laughed and you spent my money,

You laughed and you called me old,

I tell you, it's all over,

Because, just because.

Eh, no good.

Oh, well, naughty ways.

There's going to come a time when you're all alone,

There's going to come a time when you are sad,

...

Pal had to pause his recording career as he was shipped to Korea to serve again. But by 1954 he was recording again, this time for the Imperial label. He would finish out the 1950's recording for Louisiana labels such as Sky Line and Ann. A truly gifted artist, he died fairly young.

1. Contributed by Jeremy R
2. http://www.bopping.org/cajun-hillbilly-bop-in-french-pal-thibodeaux/
3. https://earlycajunmusic.blogspot.com/2016/09/its-all-over-pal-thibodeaux.html
4. "Cajun Breakdown: The Emergence of an American-Made Music" by Ryan Andre Brasseaux
5. Lyrics by Herman M and Stephane F

Release Info:

4081 Just Because | 4 Star X19

4082 It's All Over Now | 4 Star X19

Find:
4 STAR ROUNDUP Vol. 2. (BACM, )