Chagrin d’Amour is a 1980’s duo (Gregory Ken and Valli) who made only one famous song, this one, but what a song ! One of these songs that automatically makes you happy. Its spoken lyrics remind of early hip hop : it’s considered the first French rap song. And what a killer bassline. I alsoContinue reading “Chagrin d-Amour – Chacun fait c-qui lui plaît”
Monthly Archives: January 2020
Indochine – Trois nuits par semaine
A catchy music with a touch of new wave, a modern approach of relationships : this song had everything to please 80’s French youth and become a party classic, and it did. The 80’s more generally are very well represented in French parties and their success is still undisputed. [More about Indochine] I chose thisContinue reading “Indochine – Trois nuits par semaine”
Françoise Hardy – Message personnel
This beautiful song was written by Michel Berger (lyrics and music), except the spoken introduction, that was written by Françoise Hardy herself. It is apparently a discreet hint to Véronique Sanson, who had left Michel Berger a year before. The loved one is described as a person far away, yet very close. This person isContinue reading “Françoise Hardy – Message personnel”
Michel Berger – La groupie du pianiste
This is one of his most well-known songs, the first one that made him famous as a singer (he was already famous as a songwriter). The title says it all, it is about a girl’s fascination for a musician. [More about Michel Berger] Elle passe ses nuits sans dormir À gâcher son bel avenir LaContinue reading “Michel Berger – La groupie du pianiste”
Jacques Higelin – Tombé du ciel
One of his most famous songs, and rightly so. It was quite difficult to translate, given that the whole song is built on the verbe “to fall”, which is present in numerous French expressions, and gives a feeling of repetition. I chose to always keep this verb even if it looks quite strange in English,Continue reading “Jacques Higelin – Tombé du ciel”
Charles Aznavour – Comme ils disent
This song, out in the 70’s, was a real provocation at the time, as homosexuality was still a taboo – even though it’s in fact legal in France since 1791 ! It was still very underground and certainly not something to say publicly. And Aznavour, who was not even gay but had numerous gay friendsContinue reading “Charles Aznavour – Comme ils disent”
Trust – Antisocial
Their biggest hit, adaptated in English and covered by several famous bands. It’s a quite angry song, you don’t need the lyrics to understand that ! But I’m a nice and devoted person so here they are 😉 Tu bosses toute ta vie pour payer ta pierre tombale Tu masques ton visage en lisant leContinue reading “Trust – Antisocial”
Véronique Sanson – Amoureuse
One of her most beautiful songs, and the title track of her first album, out in 1972. According to Françoise Hardy, this album (produced by Michel Berger) was pivotal in the definition of a new era of French pop songs, far away from the “yé-yé” style. I included a live version to give you anContinue reading “Véronique Sanson – Amoureuse”
France Gall – Diego libre dans sa tête
This song, written in the early 1980’s, is about a political prisonner, probably in a Latin American dictature such as Argentina, Cuba, Chile or Brazil. The lyrics and music were written by Michel Berger and the song was first performed by his wife France Gall. It was then sung by many famous French singers suchContinue reading “France Gall – Diego libre dans sa tête”
Alain Souchon – Bidon
A very honest and funny song, that really lauched the career of Alain Souchon. The lyrics were written by Alain Souchon and the music was composed by Laurent Voulzy. It was the first real success of the duo, who would later create many others. It is a song about pretending to be something else thanContinue reading “Alain Souchon – Bidon”
French Music into English 