Even though as in any country, French music is unique (I hope this blog will have shown you this), it was still very influenced by foreign influences ; and in this page I will focus on English and American music, the most famous ones, who made the most impact.
French songs covered in English or American music
This French songs are especially 1940’s and 1950’s songs. I hope it won’t deceive you if you find out that one of your favorite songs is in fact a cover (but it also goes the other way round, as you will see in the next category.
- Charles Trenet : La mer –> Beyond The Sea (sung by Bobby Darin, George Benson…)
- Edith Piaf : La vie en rose (covered by a huge number of people : check out the Louis Armstrong version and also the wonderful version by Grace Jones)
- Yves Montand : Les Feuilles mortes –> Autumn Leaves (Frank Sinatra)
- Claude François : Comme d’habitude –> My Way (Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Nina Simone…)
- Jacques Brel : Amsterdam (adaptated in English, and covered for example by David Bowie)
English or American standards covered in French music
- The Animals : House of the rising sun > Johnny Halliday : Le blues du pénitencier
- Los Bravos : Black is black > Johnny Halliday : Noir c’est noir
- The Four Seasons : December, 1963 (Oh, what a Night) > Claude François : Cette année-là
- Dusty Sprinfield : I only want to be with you > Les Surfs, À présent tu peux t’en aller
French songs inspired by English or American music
- Henri Salvador : Rock and roll mops
- Charles Aznavour : For me, formidable
- Guy Marchand : Hey, crooner
- Michel Delpech : Wight is Wight
- Laurent Voulzy : Rockollection
- Laurent Voulzy : Les nuits sans Kim Wilde
- Eddy Mitchell : Et la voix d’Elvis
- Claude Nougaro : Armstrong
- Claude Nougaro : Le jazz et la java
- France Gall : Ella, elle l’a
