| Playlist |
| un autre monde vingt ans sous l'influence de la musique française |
| Click below to see the video on youtube.com |
Formidable - Charles Aznavour
A great song for English-speaking francofiles. I put this on one of the compliations played at
our family wedding reception. The video in the Youtube link is a love letter to hunky Russian
tennisman Marat Safin, which captures the playful spirit of the song.
A great song for English-speaking francofiles. I put this on one of the compliations played at
our family wedding reception. The video in the Youtube link is a love letter to hunky Russian
tennisman Marat Safin, which captures the playful spirit of the song.
Idéal- Etienne Daho
Etienne Daho first became popular about the time I was a student in Paris in the mid 80s.
This song reflected my move to multicultural Brussels - "Les mélanges ça nous rend plus
fort" (mixing our differences makes us stronger). Interesting video at CDG airport in Paris.
Etienne Daho first became popular about the time I was a student in Paris in the mid 80s.
This song reflected my move to multicultural Brussels - "Les mélanges ça nous rend plus
fort" (mixing our differences makes us stronger). Interesting video at CDG airport in Paris.
Je t'aimais, je t'aime, je t'aimerais - Francis Cabrel
One of the prettiest songs on what I think is one of the best albums of all time in any
language, "Samedi soir sur la terre" (Saturday night on earth). Very useful for learning French
conjugations.
One of the prettiest songs on what I think is one of the best albums of all time in any
language, "Samedi soir sur la terre" (Saturday night on earth). Very useful for learning French
conjugations.
L'envie d'aimer - Daniel Levi
Show stopper from the stage show "The Ten Commandments", sung by Moses. But this
was no Charlton Heston. Perhaps due the influence of Starmania, great French musical
songs much go into falsetto range and end with a general chorus. Nevertheless, it is difficult
to detract from the sheer beauty of the song itself, and Daniel Levi's voice.
Show stopper from the stage show "The Ten Commandments", sung by Moses. But this
was no Charlton Heston. Perhaps due the influence of Starmania, great French musical
songs much go into falsetto range and end with a general chorus. Nevertheless, it is difficult
to detract from the sheer beauty of the song itself, and Daniel Levi's voice.
Il venait d'avoir dix-huit ans - Dalida
The year I was a student, the new cable channel started showing the top 50 songs and their
videos (still a recent development). Madonna was in, and France's great showgirl Dalida
could no longer keep up. Song written by a gay man that thus only a brave woman like Dalida
could sing. Poignant. Poetic. Despite the glamour, her vulnerability still shines through.
The year I was a student, the new cable channel started showing the top 50 songs and their
videos (still a recent development). Madonna was in, and France's great showgirl Dalida
could no longer keep up. Song written by a gay man that thus only a brave woman like Dalida
could sing. Poignant. Poetic. Despite the glamour, her vulnerability still shines through.
Nuit magique - Catherine Lara
Rare slow by the electric violin playing lady rocker. This video really marked me at the time,
the references to Catherine's own sexuality are very thinly veiled, making it quite daring for the
time. A song of fleeting love (with a foreigner no less) where it is least expected.
Rare slow by the electric violin playing lady rocker. This video really marked me at the time,
the references to Catherine's own sexuality are very thinly veiled, making it quite daring for the
time. A song of fleeting love (with a foreigner no less) where it is least expected.
C'est écrit - Francis Cabrel
Francis is one of my favourite singer/songwriters. Despite his almost criminal dress sense
in the past, his melodies are beautiful, his lyrics poetic and moving. It is difficult to pick which
of his songs to include in a playlist since each speaks to a different part of you. The video
shows him live, but in my mind is simply a distraction from the beautiful song, giving a very
different description of love than I was taught in the Anglo world.
Francis is one of my favourite singer/songwriters. Despite his almost criminal dress sense
in the past, his melodies are beautiful, his lyrics poetic and moving. It is difficult to pick which
of his songs to include in a playlist since each speaks to a different part of you. The video
shows him live, but in my mind is simply a distraction from the beautiful song, giving a very
different description of love than I was taught in the Anglo world.
Pour que tu m'aimes encore - Céline Dion
Céline is Canadian, not French, but sings Jean-Jacques Goldman's songs far better than he
can himself. A beautiful song that became rather iconic for me in the early 90s, just as I was
about to leave France.
Céline is Canadian, not French, but sings Jean-Jacques Goldman's songs far better than he
can himself. A beautiful song that became rather iconic for me in the early 90s, just as I was
about to leave France.
Une autre histoire - Gérard Blanc
Classic 80s music, with a great video obviously influenced by Flashdance. A good dance tune
with a much more macho video. Subtle it ain't. A great song I rediscovered by accident on a
"where are they now" show on French television.
Classic 80s music, with a great video obviously influenced by Flashdance. A good dance tune
with a much more macho video. Subtle it ain't. A great song I rediscovered by accident on a
"where are they now" show on French television.