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Maxime Le Forestier – San Francisco

The song by Scott McKenzie is not the only beautiful song written about this fascinating city. In 1971, Maxime Le Forestier, who at the time was still a thriving young singer, who wrote folk-inspired songs with his sister, went in America and settled in San Francisco during a month. The characters described in the songContinue reading “Maxime Le Forestier – San Francisco”

Pierre Perret – Lily

It’s probably Pierre Perret’s most famous -and of his most politically engaged- songs. I thought it would be a good choice for today, since it’s a message that we would have taken for granted only a few weeks or months ago, but there’s apparently some things that need to be repeated over and over again…Continue reading “Pierre Perret – Lily”

Charles Aznavour – Emmenez-moi

This song is Aznavour’s most famous one, probably. And it’s deserved. A real classic. It’s about a man working in a harbour in the industrial North of France, and who dreams of going far away in one of these boats. [More about Charles Aznavour] Vers les docks où le poids et l’ennui me courbent leContinue reading “Charles Aznavour – Emmenez-moi”

Laurent Voulzy – Rockollection

This great song, written by Alain Souchon and composed by Laurent Voulzy as usual, is a “mix” of great English or American rock songs and artists, meant as a tribute. Most of these standards have already been covered numerous times by French people (with their lyrics translated into French) but this is the first timeContinue reading “Laurent Voulzy – Rockollection”

Barbara – Dis, quand reviendras-tu ?

It is one of the most beautiful songs by “the Lady in Black”. And could there be a more perfect song than this in this time of global lockdown, when we all miss some other people in other places ? Even though my translation is not perfect (it never is, but especially this one), pleaseContinue reading “Barbara – Dis, quand reviendras-tu ?”

Léo Ferré – Avec le Temps

This one is a huge classic. And also one of the saddest French songs you’ll ever hear, probably. It’s Ferré’s most famous song. [More about Léo Ferré] Avec le temps Avec le temps va, tout s’en va On oublie le visage, et l’on oublie la voix Le coeur quand ça bat plus, c’est pas laContinue reading “Léo Ferré – Avec le Temps”

Claude François – Alexandrie, Alexandra

This is one of the classics of French “party music” and “disco music”. The song was written in 1977 and came out in 1978, just a few days after its interpret’s accidental death. It remains on of his most famous songs. [More about Claude François] Voiles sur les filles Barques sur le Nil Je suisContinue reading “Claude François – Alexandrie, Alexandra”

Boris Vian – Le Déserteur

This is Boris Vian’s most famous song, and a hymn for pacifists and antimilitarists around the world. The song was created in the very delicate context of the end of the Indochina war (1946-1954) and the beginning of the Algerian war (1954-1962). During these decolonisation wars, many young French men were sent to war toContinue reading “Boris Vian – Le Déserteur”

IAM – Petit Frère

This is one of the most famous French rap songs of the 90’s. [More about IAM] Petit frère n’a qu’un souhait devenir grand C’est pourquoi il s’obstine à jouer les sauvages dès l’âge de dix ans Devenir adulte, avec les infos comme mentor C’est éclater les dents de ceux qui ne sont pas d’accord ÀContinue reading “IAM – Petit Frère”

Johnny Halliday – Laura

This beautiful song, written for him by Jean-Jacques Goldman, is a song dedicated to his then 3-year-old daughter Laura Smet. It’s also one of his many famous songs. [More about Johnny Halliday] Laura Y a tant d’hommes que je ne suis pas Y a tant de phrases qu’on dit Que je ne te dirai pasContinue reading “Johnny Halliday – Laura”