Pop music in French is an unmistakable expression of Gallic culture and enjoys legal protection, mandating that national broadcasters play 40% French-only music during a program broadcast.
France Gall was once an idol among teenage fans, but has since produced more mature music such as this song about resisting fashion. She even collaborated with Michel Gondry on an amazing video.
Jacques Dutronc
Jacques Dutronc was one of the leading French rock stars during the ’60s, known for his raspy vocals and catchy tunes that became iconic hits. His songs remain classics today – almost everyone in France knows them, such as Et moi et moi et moi, Mini mini mini, Les Play Boys’ L’Opportuniste or J’aime les filles. Additionally he wrote music for Francoise Hardy who popularised Fais pas ci, fais pas ca which became even bigger hits than its creator!
Dutronc first met lyricist Jacques Lanzmann when they both worked at men’s magazine Lui, and together they created some of France’s best-loved tunes. Lanzmann developed his writing abilities through creating catchy advertising jingles he could incorporate into Dutronc’s songs; thus making the two an iconic pop team from France during yeye era.
Musically, his sound was often compared to that of Ray Davies of the Kinks. This British garage sound fused psychedelia and music hall/vaudeville melodicism with irreverent references to drugs, sex and rock; his distinctive voice (reminiscent of Johnny Hallyday or Eddie Mitchell) provided the ideal complement.
He continued his hitmaking into the late ’60s and also had an acting career that included roles in movies directed by Claude Lelouch and Jean-Luc Godard, as well as Jean-Marie Perier’s movie Antoine et Sebastien.
This 3-CD box set gathers many of Jacques Dutronc and Francoise Hardy’s later recordings for Columbia Records, from newer material like an excellent cover of Sympathy with the Devil from Rolling Stones and older hits like Elle est si, L’Amour prison and Les Roses fanees to fan favorites Elle est si and L’Amour prison – an essential collection for fans of their music! This 3-CD set should not be missed!
Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg remains one of the Francophone songwriters with widest international appeal over a quarter of a century after his death. A charismatic storyteller, eccentric chain smoker and accomplished artist, Gainsbourg explored deep into emotions as an ardent artist before turning into an adept manipulator using music and influence to promote himself.
Gainsbourg began his career at Milord L’Arsouille nightclub on Paris’ Left Bank where his songs caught the ear of Michele Arnaud and Boris Vian, two acclaimed French artists who integrated some of them into their performances. By 1958 he had signed to Philips label and released his debut album Du Chant A la Une!, an eclectic mixture of sophisticated cocktail jazz, cool existentialist beatnik-jazz-pop, classic chanson, bitter and cynical lyrics about women; alcoholism was not helping; frequent run-ins with law; one incident which caused much debate was when he burned a 500 Franc note live TV while protesting high taxes.
Soon thereafter, Gainsbourg started writing songs for other female French singers, almost always younger than himself. His first hit was the sultry ballad Le Poinconneur des Lilas by Jacques Brel. This story told of an existentially distraught Metro inspector whose mundane daily duties have him contemplating punching himself out as he contemplates punching a hole through his own skull – it reached number one on the charts but Gainsbourg’s later albums suffered as did his personal life.
In 1986, Gainsbourg wrote and directed Charlotte Forever – an exploration of incest and sexual obsession that many French audiences found offensive – to great acclaim commercially and critically alike. While Gainsbourg rose further to stardom due to its success as well as resulting in some scandalous decisions such as recording Lemon Incest as a duet with Charlotte (his 12-year-old daughter).
Gainsbourg made his living through songwriting, which in the 1980s took on an ever-more-edgy tone. Gainsbourg was unquestionably influential – his samples were sampled by Beck, De La Soul and Massive Attack; Iggy Pop, Donna Summer and Madeleine Peyroux all covered him at one time or another.
Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin may bring to mind two items, the suggestive 1969 single “Je t’aime, moi non plus” and her iconic handbag – but the 76-year-old actress, singer, style icon, mother of Charlotte Gainsbourg, style icon and mother was much more. A multifaceted artist she excelled in singing film stage literature directing Michelangelo Antonioni Jean Luc Godard Agnes Varda Jacques Doillon as directors themselves!
Birkin first came to public notice as a model during the early ’60s, when she became known for her simple yet stylish choices and signature wicker baskets. But it was her role as Serge Gainsbourg’s muse that truly brought Birkin fame, as many describe her as his most longstanding collaborator.
Their partnership lasted more than a decade, and even after they separated they continued working together on films and music projects. Two of their most celebrated duets include “Je t’aime, moi non plus” and “69 Annee Erotique,” where Gainsbourg’s classic French crooning mesmerizes audiences while Birkin’s breathy whispers mesmerize listeners.
Birkin continued recording her own albums as well as many covers. One such cover from 2006’s Fictions album, her rendition of Neil Young’s classic “Harvest Moon,” captures perfectly its atmosphere midway between a Parisian cafe and its California ranch setting where Young wrote it; its delicate vocals remain soothing without ever becoming saccharine or intrusive.
Birkin continued touring and releasing albums in her home country of France after her film career came to a close, never losing her silky voice or her captivating performances.
Birkin may not have received the same acclaim as her male contemporaries, but she nonetheless proved an influential figure who set an example for younger female pop stars such as Charlotte Rampling and Kristin Scott-Thomas. Throughout her career–from chansons with Gainsbourg to films directed by Agnes Varda–she proved an original take on Franco-British friendship while maintaining deep ties to French culture – she became an iconic presence within Britain itself.
Michel Sardou
Michel Sardou, commonly referred to as Johnny Hallyday of France, is one of the most iconic French singers. His music and lyrics have had a huge influence on other French musicians; he’s widely considered one of France’s greatest ever vocalists – not to mention writer, actor and composer too! His works include films like The Belier Family (2014) as well as numerous hit singles that remain timeless classics today.
Michel Sardou first gained notice in 1967 with the release of Les Ricains. While some interpreted this song as anti-American, it proved an enormously successful venture that allowed him to expand upon his musical style and develop it further.
Sardou’s songwriting assumed an explicitly political edge during the 1970s. This included Le France, in which he protested President Valery Giscard d’Estaing’s sale of SS France to China; and Etre une femme, an allegory for changing roles of women in society.
By the 1980s, Sardou had become a veteran performer and earned several awards for his efforts. Although he continued producing and recording new songs, his success began to decline with France’s growing preference for disco music; additionally he faced criticism due to his opinions regarding sexual relationships and divorce.
However, Sardou persevered and in 2012 produced Les Grands Moments, an exhibition of his best hits. Five dates at Olympia followed later that year before health issues forced him to cancel the remaining twelve dates. Although currently resident in Paris and still performing his hits regularly at shows and performances alike, due to health reasons he had to cancel all twelve dates that year due to health reasons. He remains an accomplished painter and has had several exhibitions; these pieces can be found at Musee de l’Orangerie and Louvre collections among others! Additionally he published in 2014 his autobiographical book called The Great Moments of Michel Sardou; available online.