There are so many great French songs! Some of them are well-known, others are not. I'm going to share my favorite French songs with you today. The list is far from complete, but it will hopefully give you some ideas for listening. Here are my top 5 favorites, which I hope will make your vacation memorable. This list includes a little bit of everything.
La Vie en Rose
La Vie en Rose is a love song that has been translated from French to English and performed by several popular artists. Its lyrics speak to the timeless themes of love, romance, and resilience. In addition to being a French classic, "La Vie en Rose" has been covered by artists such as Andrea Bocelli and Bette Midler. The song was originally recorded by Harry James and was later covered by Bing Crosby. It was released shortly after the end of World War 2.
Bonnie and Clyde
One of my favorite French songs is "Bonnie and Clyde," by Serge Gainsbourg. It's about Bonnie and Clyde, two infamous outlaws who are always on the lookout for a thief. Originally written in 1963, it was never released, but later became one of the most popular French songs of all time. It's also one of my favorite love songs, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this opinion.
Les Grands Boulevards
There are many French songs I love. One of my favorites is Les Grands Boulevards, by Joe Dassin. It's from the album Best of French Hits, Vol. 1 and features an English translation. The song is quite upbeat and is reminiscent of birdsong in the morning. Another French song that I enjoy is "Les Champs-Elysees." It has a catchy tune and is an anthem to the most beautiful avenue in Paris.
Cendrillon
Cendrillon is a classic tale of love and magic in France. In this version, the girl Cendrillon attends a ball to kill the prince before midnight, but her fairy godmother intervenes and makes her fall in love with the prince. Cendrillon is in love with the prince but is conflicted as midnight approaches. Cendrillon stabs the prince, but cannot see his face.
Yelle
Yelle is a french singer who is wildly popular in the United States. Her 2007 hit "Je t'aime encore" was a top-ten hit in the UK. "Je t'aime encore" tells the story of a woman who is still in love with her ex. It is one of my favorite songs of all time, and I highly recommend listening to this one.
Cookie Dingler
One of the best French songs is "Femme liberee" by Cookie Dingler. It was written by Joelle Kopf and Christian Dingler and became a huge hit in the 1980s. Performing pop music with a strong message about the freedom of women, this song evokes an image of quintessential France - long drives through majestic valleys, chilled white wine under the stars, shopping in Paris. The song is very easy to sing along to, and it's one of the most popular songs in France today. It's also said to be one of the best French songs of all time.
Besides Cookie Dingler, another French band I love is Camille. Their name comes from the lead singer Christian Dingler's nickname. The band released several hits in the eighties, including "Femme liberee" in 1984. The lyrics, written by Francoise Hardy, are incredibly funny. While "Femme liberee" may seem like a love song, it's actually about freedom.