Edith Piaf (1915-1963) is undoubdtedly the most famous “classic” French singer. Nicknamed “la Môme” (= The Kid), her stage name “Piaf” is also a nickname, it means “sparrow”. She began her career in the 1930’s but it’s during the 1940’s that she really began THE French singer, not only for the French public but abroad as well. With her very distinctive voice (typical of the popular Parisian accent), she made several huge hits, some of them covered many times since.
[More about her on Wikipedia]
- Non, je ne regrette rien
- La vie en rose
- Hymne à l’amour
- Milord
- La foule
- Padam, padam
French Music into English 