French Pop Music: What You Need to Know

French pop music has been around for decades and has produced some of the most iconic songs and artists of our time. Here’s what you need to know about this genre.

Introduction to French Pop

Far from being relegated to the dustbin of music history, French pop music has continued to evolve and exert a significant influence on the world of pop music. Here’s everything you need to know about the history and current state of French pop music.

French pop music first came to prominence in the 1960s with the rise of influential artists like Serge Gainsbourg and Jacques Brel. In the decades that followed, French pop continued to evolve, incorporating new genres and styles while maintaining its distinctly Gallic sensibility.

Today, French pop music is enjoying a renewed popularity both at home and abroad, thanks in part to the success of contemporary artists like Stromae, Christine and the Queens, and Phoenix. If you’re looking to discover something new or expand your musical horizons, French pop is a great place to start.

The Origins of French Pop Music

French pop music has its origins in the Middle Ages, and the chanson, a French style of singing, was popularized in the 13th century by troubadours and trouvères. In the 14th century, another style of song, the ballade, became popular. The ballade was accompanied by instruments such as the lute, viola da gamba, and recorder. French pop music began to take its modern form in the 15th century, with the advent of the Printing press and new technologies such as the printing of sheet music and development of musical notation.

Over time, various genres of French pop music developed, including Renaissance music, opera, operetta, ballet, Western-style popular music (chanson réaliste or chansonnier), light music (musette), mélodie , and can-can. By the end of the 19th century
Edith Piaf , considered one of France’s greatest singers emerged on the Parisian cabaret scene. In 1920s , Josephine Baker rose to fame as a dancer and singer in Parisian revues and later became one of Hollywood’s first African American film stars . In 1930s t he first French record label dedicated to pop music was founded : Pathé Marconi EMI .

During World War II , many jazz musicians from New Orleans relocated to Paris , resulting in a flourishing of the genre in France . In 1947 , Serge Gainsbourg was born ; he would go on to become one of France’s most prolific and influential singer-songwriters in history . In 1960s yé-yé girls such as Françoise Hardy became teen idols while others such as l e s S o u p i r s c o u r t e s a n s s o u f f l e ( popularized internationally by The Beatles ) were at th e forefront o f t h e b r i t – p o p revolution . I n 1 968 M i c h è l e R i c h a r d s topped t h e charts w i t h ” L a m a m b a d a ” whileJean-Michel Jarre recorded his first album Oyat (Echoes).

The Golden Age of French Pop

French pop music has been around for decades, and it has undergone many different changes and iterations over the years. One of the most enduring and popular periods in French pop music history is what is known as the “Golden Age” of French pop.

This period spans the late 1950s to the early 1960s, and it was a time when many French artists were able to find significant success both at home and abroad. This was also a time when American rock and roll was beginning to make its way into France, and many French artists began incorporating this new sound into their own music.

One of the most famous French artists of this period is Edith Piaf, who is often considered to be one of the greatest French singers of all time. Piaf’s career spanned several decades, and she was able to find success with both her traditional ballads as well as her more uptempo, pop-influenced songs.

Another hugely popular artist from this period is Yves Montand, who was an actor as well as a singer. Montand found success with both his acting career and his music career, and he released a number of popular songs during the Golden Age of French pop music.

The Golden Age of French pop music came to an end in the early 1960s, but many of the artists from this period remain popular to this day. If you’re interested in learning more about French pop music, these are some essential artists that you should check out.

The Modern French Pop Scene

Modern French pop music has its roots in the middle of the 20th century, when American and British rock and roll began to exert a strong influence on young people in France. In the 1960s, a number of French artists began to experiment with rock and roll, incorporating elements of the American sound into their own music. These artists include Serge Gainsbourg, France Gall, and Johnny Hallyday, who would go on to become some of the most successful and influential French pop stars.

In the 1970s and 1980s, synthesizers and electronic instruments became more prevalent in French pop music, as they did in many other genres around the world. This new sound was typified by artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre and mylene Farmer. In the 1990s and 2000s, rap and hip hop began to have a significant impact on the French pop scene, with artists such as MC Solaar and NTM becoming household names.

The 2010s have seen a continued diversification of the French pop scene, with artists from a wide range of backgrounds and styles finding success. This includes electro-pop duo Daft Punk, who had one of the best-selling albums of all time with their 2013 release Random Access Memories; singer-songwriter Christine & The Queens, whose 2016 album Chaleur Humaine was critically acclaimed; and rapper Orelsan, who has had several chart-topping albums since 2010.

French Pop Music Today

Pop music in France has been shaped by a number of different factors over the years. French pop music has its roots in folk and chanson music, but it has also been influenced by American and British pop music. In recent years, electronic music has also played a role in the development of French pop music.

Today, French pop music is a vibrant and exciting genre that draws on a variety of different influences. If you’re interested in learning more about French pop music, here are a few things you should know.