Famous French Pop Singers from the 60s to the 80s

Yves Montand, Charles Aznavour, Edith Piaf, Gilbert Bécaud, Maurice Chevalier, Barbara, Georges Brassens; mention any of these names and you would certainly bring a smile to a Frenchman or Frenchwoman’s lips, You would smile too if you heard their music. These are some of the famous French pop singers from the 60s to the 80s, and their music will live on and on.

French rock ’n roll during the 60s and 70s brings names like Claude François, Eddy Mitchell and Johnny Hallyday to the fore.The hit parades of the 80s makes one recall the names of Serge Gainsbourg, Bernard Lavilliers, Michel Jonasz, and Julien Clerc.

The following ‘chansons français’ embody the essence of French popular songs during these decades. Teachers of French should introduce their students to them. Devote some lessons to having the students listen to parts of the songs they have heard, and putting names to the songs and the singers.Thye can also vary the game by singing parts of the songs themselves. This will be a good practice in pronunciation, and also an excellent way to learn French, since music has a way of remaining imbedded in a person’s mind, once they like a tune and hear it often. Here are some famous French pop singers from the 60s and 80s and some of their famous songs:

Charles Aznavour has been described as “perhaps the best-known French music hall entertainer in the world.” Among his legacy:

Tu t’laisses aller

La Mama

Je me voyais déjà

Trousse-chemise

Edit Piaf must certainly be introduced to your students. She is regarded almost universally as France’s most popular singer. Decades after her death, she is still revered as an icon of French song. Do not let your students miss out on this knowledge. Among her legacy:

La Vie en rose

Milord

Non, je ne regrette rien

L’Hymne à l’amour

Jacques Brel exerted an international influence on his audience. He was a major influence on English speaking song writers including Leonard Cohen and David Bowie. Among his legacy:

Ne me quitte pas

Quand on n’a que l’amour

Amsterdam

Georges Moustaki: Do not deny your students the joy of listening to the lilting voice and joyful lyrics of Georges Moustaki. Among his legacy, they must hear:

Il y avait un jardin

Ma Solitude

Ma Liberté

Serge Gainsbourg had a varied style and individuality. His legacy includes:

Love on the beat

You’re under arrest

White and black blues

Les Enfants de la chance

Lemon Incest

Julien Clerc’s popularity is still strong as he continues to entertain fans. Among his legacy:

Ma Préférence

Ce N’est Rien

Fais Moi Une Place

Quelle jeu elle joue

If possible, in addition to CDs, obtain videos so your students can actually see streamed performances by these great French pop singers from the 60s to the 80s.Becoming acquainted with this music will add a whole new dimension to these students’ love and passion for the French language.

1. French songs; traditional french songs

http://www.understandfrance.org/Documents/FrenchSongs2.html

2. Author's own experience