I'd like recommendations on French artists

[Tomoyo]

Well, I'd like to learn a little French. My goal isn't really to be able to speak French; I just want to know a little of the language, and maybe understand bits and pieces or general jists of what people or articles are saying. I know of several Americans that learned Mandarin Chinese by listening to Chinese music, and I do listen to some Japanese music, which has made me learn a little Japanese, so I do believe that listening to music of a language is an enjoyable and somewhat efficate way to become familiar with a language.

I understand that French music is considered "corny" by some, but I tend to like "corny" music. I've also read that many people who listen to French music are mainly French rap people, and I'm not interested in any rap.

The problem is, I don't know anything about French music. I'm vaguely aware that it's not so popular in Quebec, but that's it. So, enlighten me!

 

[Raisin Bran]

Corny french music floods our radio waves in Quebec.

Ill post some good corny french songs later tonight.

 

[C~G]

Edith Piaf.

 

[garric]

Sniper, DIAMS.

When I was in France, I saw Diams on an MTV show. I went to the store later to buy some music, so I asked a clerk to tell me what's good. I asked him about Diams and if it's good, and he said something really funny:

"Eh... well... Diams is like - only if you like "woman" in rap."

I chuckle every time I think about.

 

[Rambuchan]

There is one classic stop to make on your quest:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serge_Gainsbourg

His funeral brought Paris to a standstill, and French President François Mitterrand said of him "He was our Baudelaire, our Apollinaire...He elevated the song to the level of Art." His home at the well-known address 5bis rue de Verneuil is still covered by graffiti and poems.

Since his death, Gainsbourg's music has reached an iconic stature in France. His lyrical brilliance in French has left an extraordinary legacy. His music, always progressive, covered many styles: Jazz, ballads, mambo, lounge, reggae, pop (including adult contemporary pop, kitsch pop, yé-yé pop, 80s pop, pop-art pop, prog pop, space-age pop, psychedelic pop, and erotic pop), disco, calypso, Africana, bossa nova and rock and roll. He has gained a following in the English-speaking world with many non-mainstream artists finding his imaginative and eclectic arrangements highly influential.

He is also considered to be one of the first music pop artists of the late 1960s [that's debatable!]. While artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein explored modern iconographic consumer culture through painting, Gainsbourg explored similar territory in music with songs such as "Comic Strip," "Ford Mustang," "Qui est In Qui est Out," and "Teenie Weenie Boppie."

One of the most frequent interpreters of Gainsbourg's songs was British singer Petula Clark, whose success in France was propelled by her recordings of his tunes. In 2003, she wrote and recorded "La Chanson de Gainsbourg" as a tribute to the composer of some of her biggest hits.

 

[Steph]

You can also try Francis Cabrel, and especially George Brassens.
However, I'm not sure listening to song in French is the best way to learn it.

 

[Masquerouge]

Well if you want French music to learn the language, then you need artists that speak clearly and are easy to understand, so rap is out of the question. Francis Cabrel is a very good suggestion, also try Jean-Jacques Goldman or Jacques Brel. Gainsbourg is awesome but maybe a bit difficult.

 

[Rambuchan]

Jacques Brel

What a man!

"Ne Me Quitte Pas" is simply awesome. I need to catch up on his films. Can you recommend any?

 

[Che Guava]

Corny french music floods our radio waves in Quebec.

Ill post some good corny french songs later tonight.

I love that stuff. I was a fan of "Les Colocs" while they wre around. In fact, I was going to see them in Ottawa in '2000 just a few days before Fortin committed suicide....

 

[Steph]

What a man!
"Ne Me Quitte Pas" is simply awesome. I need to catch up on his films. Can you recommend any?

L'emmerdeur, with Lino Ventura

 

[De Lorimier]

I love that stuff. I was a fan of "Les Colocs" while they wre around. In fact, I was going to see them in Ottawa in '2000 just a few days before Fortin committed suicide....

I was at a party this weekend and I had a conversation about Fortin with a few friends. He's missed now more than ever. What a shame...

@Tomoyo
Of course the classics like Brel, Gainsbourg, Dutronc, Brassens are to be listened to, but there's also a few great bands you should take a look at. Try Les Wampas, great rock/punkish band from Normandy. Indochine is also a great pop/new wave band from france that I like a lot.

There's many, many more french musical artists worth listening to. I don't know where you got the idea that they weren't liked in Québec. I love good music, wherever it's from. Tell me if you have something more specific in mind.

 

[MamboJoel]

Le carré magique : Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg, Charles Aznavour, Georges Brassens. Except the sencond part of Gainsbourg carriere all songs are clear and understandable.

 

[Che Guava]

..and there's nothing better than french hip-hop.

Speaking of which, I was wondering if any of our french posters might have an idea what song has been stuck in my head for the last ~5 years It was a rap song from france, I'm pretty sure it was called "C'est beau la vie" (at least that's what they sang in the chorus) and the pre-chorus always ended with the rappers saying : "C'est toujours/la gangster/qui controllent l'affaire" . I heard it once on 'french kiss' and have had it stuck in my head ever since....!

 

[Azash]

Not sure how difficult his work is, but I've always loved Baudelaire. His poetry is wonderful.

 

[Masquerouge]

..and there's nothing better than french hip-hop.

Speaking of which, I was wondering if any of our french posters might have an idea what song has been stuck in my head for the last ~5 years It was a rap song from france, I'm pretty sure it was called "C'est beau la vie" (at least that's what they sang in the chorus) and the pre-chorus always ended with the rappers saying : "C'est toujours/la gangster/qui controllent l'affaire" . I heard it once on 'french kiss' and have had it stuck in my head ever since....!

From what I recall, this is a song that Doc Gyneco recorded with "famous" businessman Bernard Tapie, a very controversial French figure, who once owned Adidas and got a job in the government before being prosecuted and jailed for his involvement in muddy deals... like the Credit Lyonnais.
The song title is "c'est beau la vie"

EDIT: De Lorimier

 

[De Lorimier]

..and there's nothing better than french hip-hop.

Speaking of which, I was wondering if any of our french posters might have an idea what song has been stuck in my head for the last ~5 years It was a rap song from france, I'm pretty sure it was called "C'est beau la vie" (at least that's what they sang in the chorus) and the pre-chorus always ended with the rappers saying : "C'est toujours/la gangster/qui controllent l'affaire" . I heard it once on 'french kiss' and have had it stuck in my head ever since....!

What you're talking about is...

Doc Gynéco
C'est beau la vie
1996

[Doc Gynéco]
Hey fonblard, j'ai rancard avec Nanard,
Appelle les chtards v'la Bruno Escobar,

[Bernard Tapie}
Touché mais pas coulé, merci d'l'invitation

[Doc Gynéco]
Sur ce, on est en sursis, n'oublie jamais d'où tu viens

[Bernard Tapie]
La rue, c'est mon terrain chacun sa part dans la bagarre

[Doc Gynéco]
Tu les as vus les p'tits taulards, tu les a croisés au parloir

[Bernard Tapie]
J'ai vu ce qu'est qu'le désespoir faites le canard

[Doc Gynéco]
Garder l'espoir faut qu'on se lève pour croire à leur mhyto
Adhère à notre parti mec c'est pas trop tôt

[Bernard Tapie]
Arrête de compter en barrettes, on te manipule la tête
Faut que tu votes mon pote

[Doc Gynéco]
Et quoi qu'il arrive sur la planète Terre
Dans le foot, les affaires, le rap, les ministères, c'est toujours

[Bernard Tapie]
Le gangster

[Doc Gynéco]
Qui contrôle l'affaire

{au Refrain, x2}:
C'est beau, c'est beau la vie
C'est beau, c'est beau la vie
C'est beau, c'est beau la vie
C'est beau, c'est beau

[Bernard Tapie]
Dis Bruno, à ton avis, qu'est-ce qu'on vient foutre ici ?

[Doc Gynéco]
Engraisser des banquiers qui sur nos vies font des crédits

[Bernard Tapie]
Dis Bruno qu'est-ce qu'on peut foutre ici ?

[Doc Gynéco]
Balancer la vérité risquer nos vies à la télé.
Alors putain dis-moi ce match on t'la vendu ?

[Bernard Tapie]
Mais tu rigole j'les aimes à Valenciennes

[Doc Gynéco]
A l'ancienne ! J'ai rangé mon jeux de frappes et ma pince-monseigneur,
Acceptez cette prière ! Elle vient du cœur
Et quoi qu'il arrive sur la planète Terre
Dans le foot, les affaires, le rap, les ministères, c'est toujours

[Bernard Tapie]
Le gangster

[Doc Gynéco]
Qui contrôle l'affaire, qui contrôle l'affaire

{au Refrain}

[Doc Gynéco]
Levez la gauche et dites je l'jure !

[Bernard Tapie]
Tu croyais quoi ? Qu'y'avait les bons, qu'y'avait les blancs
Qu'y'avait les noirs et les méchants,
Qu'y'avait dehors et puis dedans,
Ah, tout n'est pas si facile

[Doc Gynéco]
Tout ne tient qu'à notre style,
On absorbe la lumière, on ne la rendra pas, (jamais)
Dans les ténèbres on a fais nos premiers pas
Y'a qu'les morts qui ne parlent pas,
Avant qu'on m'fasse sauter l'pas,
Dans une Merco 600
Dans une histoire de point ou de pour cent

[Bernard Tapie]
Deux pour cent, deux pour cent

[Doc Gynéco]
Ouais et quoi qu'il arrive sur la planète Terre
Dans le foot, les affaires, le rap, les ministères, c'est toujours

[Bernard Tapie]
Le gangster

[Doc Gynéco]
Qui contrôle l'affaire, qui contrôle l'affaire,
Qui contrôle l'affaire, qui contrôle l'affaire
{au Refrain}

Doc Gyneco

Bernard Tapie



Edit: Damn you MasqueRouge!!!

 

[kryszcztov]

I'm not interested in French music in general, since I find English far, far superior to any language regarding music. Still, Gainsbourg is a good pick ; some of his songs are truely genious, but others suck, and I admit I barely know his work.

 

[Masquerouge]

I'm not interested in French music in general, since I find English far, far superior to any language regarding music. Still, Gainsbourg is a good pick ; some of his songs are truely genious, but others suck, and I admit I barely know his work.

Wow. Do you think English is a more musical language, or is it the English lyrics that you find better?

 

[De Lorimier]

Wow is the word I also used reading kryszcztov's post. I don't think any language is superior music-wise. It's a matter of taste I guess.

 

[Masquerouge]

Wow is the word I also used reading kryszcztov's post. I don't think any language is superior music-wise. It's a matter of taste I guess.

Well actually I really hope that he finds English to be more musical than other languages, because that I could understand, as opposed to finding English lyrics better... Let's not end that in tears