Chanson masterpieces. Recommended popular songs.

The Soul of Poets (L’âme des Poètes)Juliette Gréco

Juliette Gréco – L’âme Des Poètes

Juliette Gréco, a grand dame of French chanson, sings “The Poet’s Soul” in a way that makes you listen, entranced.

Her slightly husky voice and conversational style intertwine with the beautiful melody to create a dreamy, intoxicating rapture—an exceptional song.

“The Poet’s Soul” was written and composed by Charles Trenet in 1951, and he also performed it himself.

Kelkan Ma Di (rumor on the wind)Carla Bruni

Carla Bruni – Quelqu’un m’a dit (à l’Olympia)

“Quelqu’un m’a dit — A Rumor on the Wind” is a lovely chanson brimming with nostalgia.

Carla Bruni, who has become one of France’s leading female singer-songwriters, met musician Julien Clerc, blossomed as a musical talent, and released the album “Quelqu’un m’a dit” in France in 2002.

The album became a massive hit, selling over one million copies worldwide.

Incidentally, her background includes being one of the supermodels who defined the 1990s—working for Chanel, Dior, and Celine—and she is the wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, the 23rd President of France.

La MerMireille Mathieu

Mireille Mathieu La Mer

Mireille Mathieu, a singer who represents France, is a female chanson artist endowed with a natural gift whose vocal prowess and expressive power move and delight listeners.

Born in the city of Avignon into a poor family with 14 children, she moved to Paris at 16, won a television singing contest with Édith Piaf’s Hymn to Love, and from there rose on her own merits to become one of the world’s top artists.

The Hill of Montmartre (La complainte de la butte)Cora Vaucaire

Cora Vaucaire – La Complainte de la Butte

A classic chanson that evokes the image of a beautiful hill swept by a refreshing, invigorating breeze is La complainte de la butte, about the Hill of Montmartre.

The song is sung by Cora Vaucaire, known as the “White Lady of Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés,” and she is also famous as the chanson singer who first made Autumn Leaves a hit.

Les Enfants du Pirée (Never on Sunday)Marie Myriam

Marie Myriam – Les Enfants du Pirée

Sung by Marie Myriam, praised as “the most beautiful voice in France,” Never on Sunday became a massive hit in France and around the world.

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she came to Paris in 1963 at the age of six with her parents and sister as immigrants and endured a very poor childhood.

However, she seized her chance by winning the Eurovision Song Contest held in Paris.

She then went on to star in the globally successful film Never on Sunday and achieved success by performing its theme song.

Sweet Whispers (Paroles Paroles)Dalida & Alan Delon

Dalida & Alain Delon – Paroles. paroles. paroles (PL)

A masterpiece you can’t forget once you’ve heard it, with a sweet melody that feels as if it were poured into this world from a beautiful star, is Gianni Ferrio’s “Parole, parole.” It was originally sung by Mina and Alberto Lupo, and the cover by Dalida and Alain Delon became a big hit.

Je suis MallardLara Fabian

Lara Fabian- Je suis Malade “HD”

Released in 1994, Je suis malade showcases Lara Fabian’s charm, with her exceptional expressiveness and vocal ability.

She is a genius multilingual female artist who has sold over two million albums and more in France alone.

The original song is a chanson from 1973, with lyrics by Serge Lama and music by Alice Dona, and it became famous when performed by Serge Lama.