What is French Pop Music?

French Pop music includes a variety of styles that are popular in France. These styles range from classic chanson to modern pop. French Pop music is often associated with artists such as Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jacques Brel.

Origins

French pop music has its origins in the Middle Ages, with the troubadours and trouvères of Northern France. In the 19th century, Paris became a center for the development of popular music, and by the early 20th century, Parisian cafés and music halls were popular places to hear songs performed by professional musicians.

1960s

In the early 1960s, French pop music was influenced by anglo-saxon pop music (The Beatles, Elvis Presley) and crooners (Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole). The first French pop star was Richard Anthony, who sang in a style similar to that of Elvis. In 1963, he had a huge hit with “Ils ont changé ma chanson” (They Changed My Song), which was adapted from a standard originally sung by Nat King Cole.

Other popular performers of the early 1960s included Sylvie Vartan, Sheila, Françoise Hardy, and Johnny Hallyday. Vartan was the first French pop star to achieve international success, with hits like “Tous mes copains” (All My Friends) and “Le cran d’arrêt” (The Skid Mark). Sheila was a teen idol who appealed to both young girls and boys; her biggest hits were “Pour un flirt” (For a Flirt) and “L’école est finie” (School’s Out). Françoise Hardy was a delicate and introspective singer-songwriter who released many successful albums throughout the 1960s; her best-known songs include “Tous les garçons et les filles” (All the Boys and Girls), “Le temps de l’amour” (The Time of Love), and “Message personnel” (Personal Message). Johnny Hallyday was the most popular performer of the decade; he styled himself after Elvis Presley and quickly became an icon in France. His hits included “J’ai oublié de vivre” (I Forgot to Live), “La fille de l’été dernier” (The Girl from Last Summer), and “Que je t’aime” (How I Love You).

1970s

The 1970s was a decade of great change for French pop music. At the beginning of the decade, the style known as yé-yé was still very popular, led by artists such as Sylvie Vartan, Johnny Hallyday and Sheila. However, by the middle of the decade, this style was starting to become less popular, as a new style started to emerge, known as variety. This new style was led by artists such as Michel Delpech, Serge Lama and Françoise Hardy. The other major change in French pop music in the 1970s was the advent of disco music, which became very popular towards the end of the decade.

Characteristics

French pop music, or musique populaire française, is a genre of popular music that originated in France in the 1940s. The genre consists of ballads, chanson, and various other styles of popular music. French pop music is often characterized by its use of electric guitars, drums, and keyboards. It is also often characterized by its use of samples and loops.

Lyrics

French pop music is characterized by its personal, often romantic lyrics. Often, French pop songs are about love and relationships. Many popular French singers have been inspired by Anglo-American music, and they sing in both English and French.

French pop music is often seen as having a more “mature” sound than American pop music. This is due in part to the popularity of ballads in France. Ballads are slow, sentimental songs that often tell a story. While American pop music also has ballads, they are not as prevalent as they are in France.

Up-tempo French pop songs are typically lively and catchy, with simple melodies that are easy to sing along to. These songs often have a lighthearted or even playful tone. Much of French pop music is produced in Paris, the capital of France.

Music

Pop music is a genre of popular music that originated in its modern form in the United States and United Kingdom during the mid-1950s. The terms “popular music” and “pop music” are often used interchangeably, although the former describes all music that is popular and includes many disparate styles. “Pop” and “rock” were synonymous terms until the late 1960s, when they became increasingly differentiated from each other.

Typically, pop music is produced by recording artists who are intended to be heard on the radio, although some pop songs may also be released as digital singles. It is usually accompanied by heavy promotion from the record label in order to achieve mass appeal. Pop songs are generally shorter and less complex in structure than rock songs, making them easier to sing along to. They are often written in a basic format ( Verse-Chorus form), which helps ensure they can be easily performed by the artist or band and understood by the listener.

Popular Artists

The French pop music scene has been gaining popularity in recent years, with artists like Jain, Ibeyi, and Christine and the Queens breaking into the mainstream. If you’re looking to get into French pop music, here are some artists you should check out.

Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg was a French singer-songwriter, actor, poet and director. He was born on April 2, 1928 in Paris, and died on March 2, 1991 in Paris. Gainsbourg’s songs were often about love, and he wrote some of the most famous pop songs in French history. He also wrote songs for other artists, including “La Marseillaise” for Edith Piaf. Gainsbourg’s music was often controversial, and he was not afraid to tackle taboo subjects. His song “Je t’aime… moi non plus” caused a stir when it was released in 1967 because it featured explicit sexual lyrics. Gainsbourg was also known for his distinctive voice and his unique style of dress.

Jane Birkin

Jane Birkin is a popular English actress, model, and singer who achieved success in the French film industry during the 1960s and 1970s. She was born in London to English parents but raised in Paris from the age of 18 months. Birkin began her acting career appearing in French films such as La Piscine and Les Carabiniers. She achieved international fame for her work with director Serge Gainsbourg, with whom she had a highly publicised romantic relationship. The couple collaborated on numerous albums and films, including the erotic thriller Je t’aime… moi non plus (1969), for which Birkin wrote the opening monologue.

Birkin has also had a successful solo singing career, releasing 14 solo albums from 1977 to 2013. She is perhaps best known for her duet with Gainsbourg, “Je t’aime… moi non plus” (1969), which caused a scandal due to its explicit lyrics and was banned by several radio stations. She has also worked with other popular French musicians such as Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Dutronc, Laurent Voulzy, and Françoise Hardy.

Jane Birkin is a popular English actress, model, and singer who achieved success in the French film industry during the 1960s and 1970s. She was born in London to English parents but raised in Paris from the age of 18 months. Birkin began her acting career appearing in French films such as La Piscine and Les Carabiniers. She achieved international fame for her work with director Serge Gainsbourg, with whom she had a highly publicised romantic relationship. The couple collaborated on numerous albums and films, including the erotic thriller Je t’aime… moi non plus (1969), for which Birkin wrote the opening monologue.

Birkin has also had a successful solo singing career, releasing 14 solo albums from 1977 to 2013. She is perhaps best known for her duet with Gainsbourg, “Je t’aime… moi non plus” (1969), which caused a scandal due to its explicit lyrics and was banned by several radio stations. She has also worked with other popular French musicians such as Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Dutronc, Laurent Voulzy, and Françoise Hardy.

Françoise Hardy

Françoise Hardy is a French singer, actress, and model. She is best known for her hauntingly beautiful voice andenduring popularity. Hardy emerged on the French pop scene in the early 1960s with her debut album, “Oh! Oh! Chéri.” Since then, she has released more than 30 albums and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Claude Vannier, and Jacques Dutronc. Hardy’s sophisticated blend of pop, chanson, and folk music has made her one of the most beloved and respected artists in France.

Contemporary French Pop

Stromae

Stromae is a Belgian singer, songwriter, and rapper of Rwandan descent. He first came to prominence with his 2009 hit single “Alors on danse”, which became a number one in several European countries. His second studio album, Racine carrée, was released in 2013 and went to number one in Belgium and France. His songs often deal with themes of mortality, love, and loss, and he has been praised for his inventive use of wordplay.

Christine and the Queens

Christine and the Queens is the stage name of French singer Héloïse Letissier. Born in 1988 and raised in the city of Nantes, Letissier studied theatre before she started making music. She chose her stage name as a reference to drag queens, and her style is a mix of synth-pop, hip-hop, and electronic music.

Her debut album, “Chaleur Humaine,” was released in 2014 and reached number two on the French charts. The album’s lead single, “Saint Claude,” was a Top 10 hit in France and Belgium. Christinne and the Queens’ follow-up album, “Chris,” was released in 2018 to critical acclaim. It includes the singles “Girlfriend” and “Doesn’t Matter.”

Phoenix

Phoenix is a French pop-rock band from Versailles, France, consisting of Thomas Mars (lead vocals), Deck d’Arcy (bass/keyboards), Christian Mazzalai (guitar) and Laurent Brancowitz (guitar). They are best known for their singles “If I Ever Feel Better”, “Lisztomania” and “1901”, as well as their awards at the Grammy Awards.

The band was formed in 1999 by Mars, Brancowitz and Mazzalai, who were all friends from lycée. The three friends all shared a passion for music, and after graduation, they decided to form a band. They were joined by d’Arcy, who had been previously acquainted with Mars.

Phoenix’s first album United was released in 2000. The follow-up album Alphabetical was released in 2004 and featured the singles “Everything is Everything” and “Run Run Run”. It charted on the US Billboard 200 at number 126.

The band’s third album It’s Never Been Like That was released in 2006 and reached number 19 in the UK Albums Chart. The first single from the album, “Long Distance Call”, became their highest-charting single to date, peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.

In 2009, Phoenix won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album for Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The album was also nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards.