Apart from a few exceptions like Edith Piaf and Céline Dion, few singers have managed to impose songs in French on the international charts. And nowadays, more and more French singers write lyrics in English to appeal to a global audience. However, many high-profile foreign artists sing in French just for a song. From Grace Jones to Michael Jackson and Elton John, here are some examples of famous artists singing in French! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah2x1Enu7Go#t=11
I often teach in café Evin (115 Kingsland Highstreet, Dalston, London) and I don’t know if the person responsible for the music selection there is a particular lover of French music or if they just happen to have found a ‘French pop’ cd in a dusty drawer…. I had noticed that they were playing the odd French song every now and again and thought nothing of it but last evening got a bit out of hand… As I was doing an hour of French with a student the speakers started…read more
Let’s start the week with Claude François. He was France’s mega star from the 70’s and is still very popular nowadays, particularly at weddings or village fêtes. In this classic song he’s lamenting the fact that the sun always starts shining on Mondays when we’re locked in at work. Here is some vocabulary found in the song Regarde: look Ta montre: your watch Lundi: monday Soleil: sun Une chose: a thing Jamais: never Chaque fois: every time Le ciel: the sky Beau: beautiful On travaille: we work https://youtu.be/u2gYndiOTkg
One of French pop’s most known songwriters and singers, Georges Brassens, is a brilliant manipulator of language. Although translations and covers of his songs have been done in many countries, he is not as well known outside of the French-speaking world as Piaf or Brel, who was actually one of his best friends. But in France, his sound is immediately recognised! He created a unique style based on simple guitar melodies and texts which are each poetic masterpieces in their own right. Another unique trait: his voice. Originally from Sète in the…read more
What do you want? This song by Yelle is so fun! I like the catchy tune and self-deprecating lyrics. Especially the line which goes: ‘You have horses and ponies, let’s make children’. Here are few words of vocab to enhance your listening. Que veux-tu: what do you want? Folle: crazy Cœur: Heart Corps: Body Beau: beautiful, handsome Chaud: hot Regard: look [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAzgp7CCxMc&w=560&h=315] Chorus Que veux-tu je suis folle de toi Mon coeur ne bat plus quand je te vois Tu es beau tu es grand tu es fascinant T’as…read more
‘Goodbye kiss’ is a bitter sweet ballad by French pop/folk singer Pauline Croze. Here are some words heard throughout the song. Enjoy! Un baiser: a kiss Adieu: goodbye Quitter: to leave behind or to separate from someone Déposer: to deposit, to lay on Léger: light Un mot: a word or a short written message Lèvres: lips Goût: taste [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86vY8N6nR8M&w=420&h=315] Pauline Croze – Baiser d’Adieu J’avais déposé sur tes lèvres endormies un baiser furtif, un baiser léger Sur la table de chevet, sans un bruit Près d’une photo, j’ai laissé…read more