Tag Archives: French songs
French Music: Guy Béart’s “L’Eau vive” Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Jul 2, 2018
Recently, my house has been afflicted by un ver d’oreille. The literally definition of this term is an “earworm.” But, don’t worry—this post isn’t about those nasty little insects. Rather, in French, un ver d’oreille is a catchy tune that you just can’t get out of your head. It began with my mother-in-law (ma belle mère) singing a song…
French Lyrics: Le poinçonneur des Lilas Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Jun 5, 2018
Last week, we went over Serge Gainsbourg’s beloved song “Le poinçonneur des Lilas.” Now, let’s take a look at the lyrics and the word play the famous chanteur/compositeur wrote. The catchy réfrain of this song begins: “J’fais des trous, des p’tits trous, encore des p’tits trous.” (“I make holes, little holes, and more little holes.”) This refers…
On Verra Bien (French Music) Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Jan 23, 2018
In French, on verra bien means “we shall see.” It’s an expression that you’ll often hear in French. For example, On verra bien comment ça va se passer. (“Well, we’ll see how it will work out.”) Or, On verra bien avec le temps. (“We shall see in due time.”) A popular French song, drawing on classic hip-hop, uses this French expression…
French Musician: Vianney Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Dec 4, 2017
Over the past few years, a new musical sensation has emerged in France. His name is Vianney and, at the age of twenty-four, he was one of the youngest French artists to ever be awarded artiste interprète of the year at the 2016 Victoires de la Musique. Vianney’s first single was “Je te déteste,” which…
Comme d’habitude Posted by Elizabeth Schmermund on Jul 8, 2017
Claude François is one of the most iconic of French singer-songwriters of the 1960s. Emerging in the heyday of French rock and roll, François gained popularity from performing popular American songs in French during his early career. He was known for his fluffy blonde hair, long eyelashes..and for his somewhat difficult personality. One of François’s early…
Le Paradis blanc (White Paradise) Posted by Hichem on Nov 21, 2013
When it comes to traveling, the expression of paradis terrestre (earthly paradise) evokes for most people a warm, exotic, and quite far destination on the planet. Think along the lines of Hawai, the Caribbeans, or even Bora Bora in French Polynesia! Not everyone would agree on that, however. For the late French singer Michel Berger, for example, a…
Are You Sometimes “Fainéant” (Lazy)? Posted by Hichem on Oct 29, 2013
Bonjour there! Tell me, how was waking up for you this morning? Rather facile (easy), difficile (difficult), or complètement pénible (completely rough)? Whether you are the type of person who springs up from bed at the first beep of your réveil (alarm clock), or on the contrary one who has to be forcibly dragged away from under l’oréiller (the pillow)…