TISH! That's French! Vol. 1 - Songs With French Lyrics!

TISH!  That's French!  Vol. 1

My top ten film clips would have to include Jessica Pare singing Zoe Bisou Bisou to Jon Hamm in MAD MEN—which really put a pulse in my pants--& starts off this series.  But my love of French lyrics in pop songs started much earlier.  

I’m told Paul McCartney’s French isn’t so great in Michelle, but it's always worked for me.  I’ve also read that Nous Non Plus similarly specialize in singing in bastardized French, and their File Atomique is no exception.  But what do I know, really?  I took a year of French in high school, and the only thing I can say is “My car is blue & white”.

There were a lot of YE YE girls in pop in the sixties—none more lovely, or a more talented singer, than Francois Hardy.  A few of her contemporaries: France Gail, Jacqueline Taieb, & Sylvie Vartan make an appearance here.  Claudine Longet may be more famous for being convicted in the shooting of her boyfriend than her singing at this point—but she cut some great albums.  Sonny & Cher’s Sing C’est La Vie played a part in my fascination, as did Francis Lai’s big hit A Man & A Woman (both of which appear on later volumes).

In the late 80’s I was watching an episode of MTV’s 120 Minutes, and they aired the C’est Comme Ca video by Les Rita Mitsouko which blew me away and furthered my obsession with French lyrics.  It was a good thing I jotted down the name off the song & the artist so I could buy the album—because I never saw the video again (until the rise of YouTube).  If I hadn’t found the album, I’d have thought I dreamed it.  Hey, if Keith Richards can dream the riff to Satisfaction, I can dream up a video by a French pop duo.  

There isn’t much this duo did that isn’t dynamic, but C'est Comme Ca’s still my favorite track of theirs, and it’s included here.  Check out said video; which is like an episode of Pee Wee’s Playhouse that’s spun out of control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ROtGdJi6zE

Maybe more than any other culture the French embraced recording versions of songs (that were hits in English) in their native tongue—and they generally did a better job of it than other countries.  Proof exists on Vol. 1 of TISH!  That's French! which contains frog-i-fied versions of Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby, Can't You See That She's Mine, Johnny B. Goode, Shakin’ All Over, and Be Bop A Lula.  Les Chaussettes Noires (The Black Socks) and Les Chats Sauvages (The Wild Cats) are both magnifique!

The most famous example of recording artists laying down a track in another language may be The Beatles releasing She Loves You in German.  But on this installment pop stars Dusty Springfield and Avril Lavigne swing for the French fence, as does Laise who delivers a lovely version of Adele’s Someone Like You.

There’s usually a cheeky entry in my collections, and if you’re keeping track, this one has two.  Both the first appearance of Emerson, Lake & Palmer on JOKONKY, and The Three Degree’s number I’ve included have little more than the phrase C’est La Vie to recommend them.

If this sort of thing rocks your boat, Volume Two is already complete, and Volume Three has been started.  Please check back if you’ve enjoyed the maiden voyage!