French Chanson

~~Farfisa~~ · 11-26-2011, 05:05 PM

I looked for a thread, but there doesn't seem to be any. Anyway, I've known about Chanson for awhile, but my interest in it didn't really perk until last night. I heard Nico singing in french on a Serge Gainsbourg compilation and was blown away how beautiful it was.

Does anyone know of any good, really deep and moving songs/artists in this genre? I would be forever grateful if someone can make a compilation featuring their favorite songs and artists.

French Chanson, to me sounds very sensual and intimate, and I'm able to just drift away on the soft spoken words, like a balloon rising into the atmosphere.

Argento · 11-26-2011, 05:21 PM

Je connais Jeanette

Non sure si vous demandé cette chosse.

Sneer · 11-26-2011, 08:54 PM

Jacques Brel. The guy was fantastic, and his music has become a huge influence on myriad musicians... Even Kurt Cobain covered Season's in the Sun.

Also:

Lisnaholic · 11-27-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

Jacques Brel. The guy was fantastic, and his music has become a huge influence on myriad musicians... Even Kurt Cobain covered Season's in the Sun.

^ I wonder why Kurt Cobain chose to cover one of JB`s weakest songs. The JB covers that I like are of the songs which highlight his risqué lyrics and eccentric choice of subject matter:-
Next by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Amsterdam by David Bowie

Sneer · 11-27-2011, 06:44 PM

I don't know, he probably thought he could do something with that particular melody. I agree though, it's not one of his bestest.

Lisnaholic · 11-27-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

I don't know, he probably thought he could do something with that particular melody. I agree though, it's not one of his bestest.

^ Yes, I guess so, or maybe he thought he could contrast the innocent lyrics with the worldly grunge sound, to get some ironical effect.

Anyway, here`s another English version of a JB song, this time with simple, but interesting lyrics. Perhaps you know it already:

"Some built the roads,
Some wrote the poems,
Some went to war.
Some never came home."

Zaqarbal · 11-29-2011, 03:06 AM

Françoise Hardy:

EDIT: Lyrics' translations here and here.

Zaqarbal · 12-01-2011, 08:33 PM

France Gall. This song from 1966, composed by Serge Gainsbourg, is titled Les Sucettes ("Lollipops"). There is this videoclip:

Quote:

"Les Sucettes" was, on the surface, a pleasant children's song about a girl who likes aniseed-flavoured lollipops. But Gainsbourg's lyric was full of playful double meanings referring to oral sex, which Gall, aged 18, simply did not understand. She was filmed singing "Les Sucettes" for television programs, with actions and props playing on the sexual references. By Gall's account she did not realize until later why the filming attracted so many visitors to the set."

Les sucettes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"When the barley sugar
Flavored with anise
Sinks in Annie’s throat,
She's in heaven."

Oh, Serge, how could you be so wicked!

11-26-2011, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
~~Farfisa~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2,773	French Chanson I looked for a thread, but there doesn't seem to be any. Anyway, I've known about Chanson for awhile, but my interest in it didn't really perk until last night. I heard Nico singing in french on a Serge Gainsbourg compilation and was blown away how beautiful it was. Does anyone know of any good, really deep and moving songs/artists in this genre? I would be forever grateful if someone can make a compilation featuring their favorite songs and artists. French Chanson, to me sounds very sensual and intimate, and I'm able to just drift away on the soft spoken words, like a balloon rising into the atmosphere.

11-26-2011, 05:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Argento Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Córdoba, Argentina Posts: 95	Je connais Jeanette Non sure si vous demandé cette chosse. __________________ Here is my thread on Argentine music. Le hizo un par de promesas imprudentes y así fue que de ella se aburrió.

11-26-2011, 08:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	Jacques Brel. The guy was fantastic, and his music has become a huge influence on myriad musicians... Even Kurt Cobain covered Season's in the Sun. Also: __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show Last edited by Sneer; 11-26-2011 at 09:02 PM.

11-27-2011, 06:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	I don't know, he probably thought he could do something with that particular melody. I agree though, it's not one of his bestest. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

11-29-2011, 03:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Zaqarbal Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 824	Françoise Hardy: EDIT: Lyrics' translations here and here. __________________ "Lullabies for adults / crossed by the years / carry the flower of disappointment / tattooed in their gloomy melodies." Last edited by Zaqarbal; 11-29-2011 at 04:24 AM.