Chanson masterpieces. Recommended popular songs.

A roundup of chansons, all in one go!

We’ve curated a wide range—from those famous hidden gems known to aficionados to the latest, slightly under-the-radar French music!

We also include tracks by lesser-known artists, so if you’re looking for stylish, high-sense French tunes, this is a must-see!

Chanson enjoyed huge popularity in Japan in the 1960s.

Even if you’re not familiar with chanson, listening to older tracks can evoke a warm sense of nostalgia, right?

We’ve picked out those nostalgic songs too, so be sure to check them out!

Playlist

Chanson masterpieces. Recommended popular songs.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	La Vie En RoseEdith Piaf		Édith Piaf’s famous song “La Vie en rose”
2	L’hymne A L’amourÉdith Piaf		The expressive vocals of Édith Piaf are captivating.
3	Jardin d’HiverKeren Ann		Keren Ann covers Fuyu no Niwa
4	Sous le ciel de ParisZAZ		ZAZ ranks a complex song set in Paris
5	Tu sais je vais t´aimerDiana Panton		Diana Panton covers a song by Henri Salvador
6	Je veuxZAZ		The Zars' debut song was a big hit in Europe
7	T’en va pasElsa		Elsa’s famous song becomes a hit in J-pop
8	Champs ElyséesZAZ		The history of Paris’s famous song “Champs-Élysées”
9	Ne Me Quitte PasNina Simone		Nina Simone ended her life in France
10	La BohemeCharles Aznavour		The charm of Charles Aznavour’s melancholic singing
11	Tombe la neigeAdamo		Adamo’s signature song “Tombe la neige” (“Snow Is Falling”)
12	Mademoiselle de ParisJacqueline Francois		Chanson masterpieces by Jacqueline François
13	Le Vent Nous PorteraSophie Hunger		Popular songs by Swiss artists
14	AmoureuseCLIO		French pop with a love theme by Clio
15	Pain au chocolatJHAS		A song themed around pain au chocolat
16	Una bella historiaMichel Fugain		Introduction to the original songs behind the circus’s hit tracks
17	Sans toi ma mieSalvatore Adamo		Adamo's heartbreak song
18	Paris sera toujours ParisZAZ		Zaz covers a Maurice Chevalier classic
19	Je voleLouane Emera		Luanne’s cover song is making waves in the movie
20	C’est Si BonHalie Loren		“C’est Si Bon,” the famous chanson sung by Halie Loren
21	Göttingen (Göttingen)Barbara		Barbara's Göttingen is beautiful
22	The Soul of Poets (L’âme des Poètes)Juliette Gréco		The Poet’s Soul Sung by Juliette Gréco
23	Tell me words of love.Lucienne Boyer		A classic of French chanson
24	The Hill of Montmartre (La complainte de la butte)Cora Vaucaire		Coravocaire singing of Montmartre Hill
25	La MerMireille Mathieu		Mireille Mathieu: From Poverty to a World-Famous Singer
26	Capri, c’est finiHerve Vilard		“Love in Capri” is a smash hit song
27	Le lundi au soleilCathy Claret		Kathy delivers a distinctive performance of a French song
28	Je suis MallardLara Fabian		A 1994 chanson sung by Lara Fabian
29	Kelkan Ma Di (rumor on the wind)Carla Bruni		Carla Bruni’s smash hit chanson
30	Les Enfants du Pirée (Never on Sunday)Marie Myriam		Marie Myriam, from poverty to success with a hit song
31	Sweet Whispers (Paroles Paroles)Dalida & Alan Delon		Sweet whispers, the famous song sung by Dalida
32	Comme d’habitudeClaude François		Sinatra’s song is originally a French chanson.
33	Tu verra (Tu verras)Pauline Croze		Enchanting masterpieces of French chanson
34	Un Homme Et Une Femme (A Man and a Woman)Janet Seidel		A Man and a Woman is a famous song from a French film.
35	AquabonistJane Birkin		Jane Birkin’s captivating singing voice and her earthquake disaster relief efforts
36	MilolEdith Piaf		Chanson masterpieces sung by Piaf
37	The Whirlwind of Life (Whirlwind)Vanessa paradis		Recommended: classic chansons from French films
38	It’s irreparable (separation)Nino Ferrer		A masterpiece composed by Nino Ferrer became a massive hit in Japan as a reimported song
39	On My Island (Dans mon île)Henri Salvador		A chanson that became the origin of bossa nova
40	The History of LoveSofia Braila		A cover of “History of Love” by Sofia Blyla
41	Non, non, non (écouter Barbara)Camélia Jordana		A song that portrays the feelings of a woman confronting the pain of heartbreak
42	Wait, or go away.France Gall		France Gall’s signature chanson
43	Paris canailleYves Montand		A classic chanson celebrating the vibrancy of Paris
44	How to Say Goodbye (Comment te dire adieu)Françoise Hardy		Françoise Hardy’s signature song(s)