French Music: From Folk to Pop
French music has a long and varied history, spanning everything from folk to pop. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous and influential French musicians, and explore the different genres they represent.
The Early Days: Folk Music
French music has a long and varied history, with folk music being one of the earliest genres. Folk music in France often consists of ballads and other storytelling songs, and has been a part of the country’s culture for centuries. In more recent years, French music has evolved to include a wide variety of genres, from pop to electronic.
Origins in the countryside
Folk music in France has its origins in the countryside, with songs being passed down from generation to generation. These songs were often about everyday life, love, and death, and were sung in the local dialect. As time went on, some of these songs began to be written down, and they eventually made their way to the cities.
In the early 20th century, folk music began to be collected and performed by professional musicians. This led to a resurgence of interest in traditional French folk music, which continues to influence French pop music to this day.
The influence of the Troubadours
The Troubadours were a group of professional musicians and poets who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries in the southern region of France known as Occitania. They were the first to develop the form of music known as troubadour song, which was a type of love song that was usually accompanied by a guitar or lute. Troubadour songs were often about unrequited love, and they became very popular among the noble class. Many of the Troubadours’ songs were written in a language called Occitan, which was spoken in Occitania.
The Troubadours’ influence on French music can be heard in the work of later French composers such as Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Troubadour songs also had a significant impact on Italian and Spanish music, thanks to the close cultural ties between these countries and Occitania. In fact, the word “troubadour” is derived from the Italian word “trovarobato,” meaning “to find or invent something.”
The Rise of Popular Music
French music has come a long way from its folk roots. In the past few decades, French music has evolved into a diverse and popular genre, with a wide range of styles and influences. From the traditional chanson to contemporary pop, French music has something for everyone.
The birth of the chanson
The chanson is a type of French folk song that originated in the medieval era. It is distinct from other types of folk songs in that it is written in the vernacular (i.e. the everyday language of the people) rather than in Latin or another language used by the elites. The chanson was (and still is) a way for regular people to express themselves and their lives through music.
The chanson first gained popularity in the courts of the 15th century, where they were often used as entertainment between courses at banquets. The first extant collection of chansons dates back to this time period, and was compiled by Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. From there, the chanson spread throughout Europe, becoming particularly popular in Italy and Spain.
In France, the chanson continued to be popular among the common people, even as it lost favor with the aristocracy. This changed in the 20th century, when artists like Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel brought the chanson back into fashion with the French elites. The chanson has remained popular in France ever since, evolving into different subgenres like la nouvelle chanson and la chanson réaliste.
The impact of the world wars
The two world wars had a significant impact on the development of popular music in France. The First World War saw the emergence of a new generation of singers, such as Georges Brassens and Edith Piaf, who would go on to become some of the most popular performers of the 20th century. The conflict also saw the rise of patriotic songs, such as “La Marseillaise” and “Le Chant des Partisans”, which became an important part of the French musical repertoire.
The Second World War was a much more traumatic experience for France, and its impact on the country’s music was correspondingly more profound. The occupation of France by Nazi Germany led to a wave of collaboration with the regime, as well as a wave of resistance in the form of songs composed by members of the Resistance movement. After the war, many leading lights of French music, such as Maurice Chevalier and Charles Trenet, were widely accused of collaboration, and their careers suffered accordingly. It would take some time before French music recovered from the traumas of the war years.
The rise of rock and roll
Music historians generally agree that rock and roll began in the United States in the early 1950s, with the popularity of performers such as Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. The style was strongly influenced by African American music, especially rhythm and blues, as well as by country music. However, it quickly became apparent that rock and roll could cross racial boundaries, appealing to both black and white audiences. In the mid-1950s, British bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones began to gain popularity in the United States, helping to spread the new style of music around the world.
Contemporary French Music
While the older generation might think of French music as being only folk songs sung by men in berets while holding a string of onions, the truth is that contemporary French music is as varied as any other country’s. In fact, some of the most popular music in the world today is French.
The influence of American pop
While France has a long and varied musical tradition, contemporary French music is largely influenced by American pop. In the late 1960s, American rock and roll and soul music began to gain popularity in France, with artists such as Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin becoming household names. The 1970s saw the rise of disco in France, with iconic songs like Cerrone’s “Supernature” and Images’ “Les Demoiselles de Rochefort” becoming hits.
American pop music continued to dominate the French charts in the 1980s and 1990s, with artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Lionel Richie, and Mariah Carey enjoying enormous success. In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence of French-language pop music, with singers such as Stromae, Christine and the Queens, and Ma?tre Gims achieving international stardom.
The rise of the singer-songwriter
The 1970s saw the rise of the singer-songwriter in France. Inspired by Bob Dylan and the Beatles, these artists wrote their own songs and played their own instruments. They became hugely popular, and their music had a profound impact on French culture.
Some of the most famous singer-songwriters of this era include Grand Corps Malade, Jacques Brel, Jean-Jacques Goldman, and Barbara. Their music was often political, and it spoke to the experiences of ordinary people. It was a radical departure from the mainstream pop music of the time, and it established France as a major player in the world of popular music.
The popularity of electronic music
In recent years, electronic music has become increasingly popular in France. A number of French DJs and producers have gained international acclaim, and the country is now home to several major music festivals devoted to the genre.
Some of the most famous French electronic musicians include Daft Punk, Justice, and M83. These artists have all achieved considerable success both in France and abroad, and their music has been embraced by both critics and the general public.
The popularity of electronic music in France is largely due to the country’s vibrant club culture. Nightclubs in major cities like Paris often stay open until the early hours of the morning, and they play a mix of traditional French pop music and contemporary electronic tunes. This lively club scene has helped to make electronic music one of the most popular genres in France.
