my french playlist

susan-hutchinson-paris

 

I can’t believe I’ll be back in France in less than 30 days!! As you can see in this image captured by Ashley Ludaescher last year, I’m pretty happy there (and Paris makes everyone feel sexier). I recently had a Madeleine moment thanks to one of my favorite French songs, and it made me realize how long it’s been since I’ve written a music post. La Noyée, by Yann Tiersen, transports me back to my first trip to France, circa 2001. Amélie had just been released, and being the hopelessly romantic Francophile that I am, the soundtrack was on repeat during my flight. I pressed play as we made our descent into Paris, and…no exaggeration – just as the music rose to it’s beautiful crescendo, we emerged from the clouds, with the Eiffel Tower in view. Seeing it for the first time took my breath away–I’ll never forget that moment. On that note, I thought it might be nice to share a few of my favorite French songs with you – it’s so hard for me to narrow it down…I’ll share more soon. Do you have any French favorites, and/or what songs bring back specific memories for you?

 

françoise hardy // le temps de l’amour

paris combo // aquarium

édith piaf // non, je ne regrette rien

les nubians // demain

serge gainsbourg // bonnie and clyde

amylie // espace

juliette gréco // sous le ciel de paris

mc solaar // le belle et le bad boy

jacques dutronc // et moi et moi et moi

coralie clément  // samba de mon coeur qui bat

Notes

  1. Great list! Here’s my list (some in English with a Paris theme for my non-francophone husband).

    1. I Love Paris (Frank Sinatra)
    2. Paris (Edith Piaf)
    3. Sous le ciel de Paris (Yves Montand)
    4. La valse d’Amélie
    5. Les yeux ouverts (Enzo Enzo)
    6. C’est si bon (Emilie-Claire Barlow)
    7. Belle (Jack Johnson)
    8. Je veux (ZAZ)
    9. Ces soirées-là (Yannick)
    10. La Belle et le bad boy (MC Solaar)
    11. Mansard Roof (Vampire Weekend)
    12. Last Mango in Paris (Jimmy Buffett)
    13. Our Last Summer (ABBA)
    14. Lettre à Paris (Paris Combo)
    15. La mer (Charles Trenet)
    16. L’amoureuse (Carla Bruni)
    17. L-O-V-E (French version) (Nat King Cole)
    18. J’ai deux amours (Madeleine Peyroux)
    19. Hymne à l’amour (Edith Piaf)
    20. He Went to Paris (Jimmy Buffett)
    21. Aux Champs-Elysées (Gilles David)
    22. La Vie en Rose (Edith Piaf)
    23. Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (Jimmy Buffett)
    24. Zou bisous bisous (Jessica Paré)

    • oh my goodness Melinda – thank you so much for taking the time to leave this list!! yeah, in trying to narrow mine down, I realized I need to do another post with my favorite French artists that sing in English, ha! ;)

  2. I have so many favorites. I actually have 10,200 songs and I’m trying to go through them now…
    I love the Amelie soundtrack, there’s a song from populaire, and An Education. All the Hotel Costes albums, Edith Piaf, Alexandra Streliski (piano). If you haven’t seen populaire, I highly recommend it! :)

  3. I am obsessed with FIP, which is, in my opinion, the BEST French radio station going right now. You can listen to it live here: http://www.fipradio.fr/player

    It plays a fun mix of modern and classic songs from France, England, Spain, and the USA. We have it playing all day long! Fresh and chic. Just as it should be. xo

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