Say what you will, but I’m really getting into French pop, and not even the cool kind, or what the cool kids are listening to (I don’t think, though I could be wrong) but the stuff of Carla Bruni (who may or may not be cool in France – I honestly don’t know), whom I just adore, especially the songs Quelqu’un ma dit and Le ciel dans la chambre, which are two unforgettable songs with unforgettable lyrics and hey, even if you don’t speak a word of French, still hold up as beautiful songs the way Stan Getz and Gilberto and the Girl from Impanema holds up with that mellow voice of his and the beautiful melody. Oh, laugh if you will; I care not.
I also find myself diving into the real corny stuff of Daniel Levi and Le dix commandments about love and how to do it right, the ten commandments of love, as he sings, and J’ai encore reve d’elle and even Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg singing soulfully and sexually (let’s face it), Je t’aime moi non plus and Bonnie and Clyde – both amazing songs, and even Harley David Son of a Bitch, which I love because it is rough and French and the lastt thing you would ever expect from a French song, but trust me, they can be rough and tough as witnessed by MC Solaar – all French rap which I highly recommend and Zouk, Pit Bacardi, Tu me manqués which is worth a good listen. There’s also Michael Berger’s Quelque mots d’amour, which is lovely to listen to.
Why I’m into this French pop thing is a long story but the brief version, I have an exchange going with my friend P. in Paris with whom I exchange songs via email, sending him the likes of Nick Drake and John Cale and a few other choice Dylan songs (though Dylan is universal so he knows him, so no point really, except the obscure stuff); we exchange well. I send Death Cab for Cutie “Transatlanticism” and the like and in return I get Carla Bruni who has the voice of an angel and who I have, I admit, more than a slight crush.
Article comments
1 - reggie
The French have always been the best in pop. They've always been consistent with their never ending hits(locally at least).
I love like every french song i hear wondering why it isn't as popular as american and british ones...and i rarely like songs the first time i hear them. They are the most adroite when it comes to pop music.
If anyone is into french pop, watch 'Trace TV'. America doesn't have it on cable but if you're REALLY into that kind of music its the best source i know.
2 - Mark Saleski
ah, yes...i went through a period of listening to the likes of Gainsbourg and Bardot. great stuff.
3 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
i'm glad to find two who agree. i'm a huge fan of both albums i listed here - could never choose between them, and yes, Gainsbourg and Birkin are alltime favorites of mine also... glad you connected with this piece...and thanks for reading...
4 - Mark Saleski
let's face it sadi, songs like "Soixante Neuf Annee Erotique" are tough to forget.
that particular one is like a french "Love To Love You Baby".
5 - tommyd
I love French pop too. The group Autour de Lucie is one of the best bands I've ever heard anywhere. I recommend the CD's "Immobile" and "Faux Mouvement". There's another more recent self-titled album which came out in 2004 which is excellent too.
6 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
i'm going to have to check out this band now as well... being as into French pop as i am, this sounds really good... i'll download a few things and take a listen. I'm really into this and also, not French, combinations of Moby with Enya with Enigma etc etc which are just amazing if you like Moby's softier stuff. Just beautiful. Also some Chemical Brother's stuff as well...I'm just groovin' all over the place!
Thanks for the recommendation... i'll definitely check it out.
ta
sadi
7 - bart
This is hard, but does anyone know of a pop/hip hop band, french, that put out a song in 2004/05 with a chorus including the phrase, "give it to me, give it to me". It was a really quirky pop song and just fabulous.
b