Archive for 'Music'
Bernard Adamus: Y Fait Chaud Posted by John Bauer on Dec 17, 2014
When learning a new language it’s always good to have some music to listen to in that language. It not only motivates you, but it gives you a fun way to pratiquer the language that goes beyond the textbooks and conjugaison charts that are often so dull they vous font dormir (put you to sleep)…
Louise Attaque: J’t’emmène Au Vent Posted by John Bauer on Dec 3, 2014
Rock and roll isn’t always the type of music you think of when you think of France, but le rock français (French rock) is a real thing and it’s not something to be skipped over. Similar to elsewhere in the world, there was a bit of an explosion of alternative rock in the 90s in…
Édith Piaf: La Vie en Rose Posted by mtaulier on Nov 13, 2014
Few French songs are more recognizable than Édith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose (Life in Pink/Rose-tinted Life). Since its release in 1947 the song has been referenced in a wide range of movies, TV shows and books. La Vie en Rose has been translated into a number of languages and covered by no less than…
Joe Dassin: Les Champs-Élysées Posted by mtaulier on Aug 19, 2014
One of the most beloved French singers of the 20th century, Joe Dassin gave the world something to sing about. His voice still graces the airwaves of French radio stations and you can’t help but smile a little when you hear a song like Les Champs-Élysées from the album of the same name released in…
“La Mer” by Charles Trenet Posted by mtaulier on Jun 23, 2014
If you’re a fan of the late Bobby Darin, you’ve no doubt heard his song “Beyond the Sea” released in 1959. It was a hit back then and is still played quite frequently on the radio today. Darin may have made the song his own and popularized it, but the original belongs to Charles Trenet…
Who Wants a Last Dance in Paris? Posted by Hichem on May 17, 2014
Care to improve your French comprehension skills by joining Indila for une dernière danse (a last dance) in the streets of the French capital? * * * Indila’s new song “Dernière danse” (“Last Dance”) Oh, ma douce souffrance Oh, my sweet suffering Pourquoi s’acharner, tu recommences Why try so hard, you start again Je ne suis…
Do You Want a French Mustache—Or an Austrian Beard?! Posted by Hichem on May 9, 2014
In less than 24 hours, the 2014 Eurovision grande finale will be taking place. Six pays (six countries) are en lice (battling it out) for la première place. What does France has to offer this time, you may reluctantly wonder? A group whose chanson (song) seems to hint at the general zeitgeist reigning a bit everywhere in the world: the “I-got-many-things-but-I-still-want-more” kind of syndrome. Of course, without reading…