this blog is GROOVY – listen to great Soul, Funk, Jazz, Hip Hop, Bass, Breaks , Reggae, House n many more TUNES
Welcome aboard the colorful and rhythmic world of chanson! This delightful genre has flowed through the streets of France for centuries, with its roots digging deep into folk traditions and blossoming into something truly special. So grab your beret, snag a baguette, and let’s groove through the history of chanson!
At its core, chanson is simply “song” in French. But oh boy, it’s so much more than that! It’s a genre filled with lyrical storytelling where emotions run wild—love, loss, joy—you name it! From sweet melodies to heart-wrenching ballads, chanson captures the human experience like no other style.
Chansons have been strutting their stuff since medieval times (yeah—think 12th century!). Back then, wandering minstrels would belt out tales accompanied by lutes or viols. These early songs were often in Occitan or Old French and shared stories about chivalry and romance (the original rom-coms!).
Did you know that these troubadours had a unique way of earning money? When they performed at feasts or gatherings, people threw coins their way…literally! If they weren’t good enough to catch some cash mid-performance? Well…that could lead to some very awkward moments.
Fast forward to the 16th century—the Renaissance jazzed things up! Chansons began incorporating more complex musical arrangements thanks to composers like Clément Janequin. Imagine lively harmonies mixed with vibrant rhythms—everyone was dancing!
During this time too emerged French Baroque, which put an elegant spin on chanson. Composers such as Jean-Baptiste Lully made waves with operatic elements that dazzled audiences across Europe.
Lully was so passionate about his music that he famously stabbed his own foot while conducting (talk about giving it your all)! That little mishap led directly to his demise when gangrene set in—a poignant reminder not to take your passion too far!
The real magic kicked off in the late 19th-century Parisian cafés where cabaret artists brought chanson front and center. Think smoky rooms filled with laughter as performers like Aristide Bruant entertained crowds with witty lyrics illustrating daily life.
Enter Edith Piaf, aka “La Vie en Rose.” She became synonymous with chanson after WWII. Her songs convey emotions so raw you’d think she wrote them just for you—and hey…she did actually sing at her own wedding; love at first song!
Piaf’s stage presence was legendary but let’s be real—it wasn’t always graceful; during performances she once hit a fan for being overly enthusiastic—imagine getting slapped by a legend just because you cheered too loudly!
In the decades following WWII, diverse influences started fluttering into chanson: American jazz vibes intermingled effortlessly alongside traditional styles. Musicians embraced experimentation making way for folks like Jacques Brel, whose theatricality added layers upon layers—in essence creating ‘drama’ on stage.
As rock ‘n roll took hold globally throughout the ’60s & ’70s weirdly enough we saw musical crossovers. From psychedelic sounds entering mainstream culture came new artists who stretched boundaries even further (seriously), including songbirds like Serge Gainsbourg whose scandalous lifestyle matched perfectly against cheeky tunes lit up radio waves everywhere.
While controversial—including famously collaborating on Audio/Visual projects featuring models posing nude—it turns out Gainsbourg had quite an interesting superstition: he believed cats provided inspiration for better songwriting results (wonder if my cat has hidden talents too?).
Flash forward today where modern-day musicians continue this idiomatic tradition by blending genres—from rap-infused beats à la Kyo to hip-hop blends courtesy of rappers like Orelsan—all infused within classic lyrical prowess rooted deep within Francia’s culture.
And guess what!? Artists are now redefining what defines ‘chanson’. As society evolves—their messages reflect contemporary issues faced worldwide tackling matters from mental health awareness down environmental concerns utilizing smart lyricism crafted over catchy melodies indicative purely reflective harmony found only here…
One popular artist frequently breaks out random dance moves while performing—he claims it’s his secret weapon distracting fans from noticing when he messes up lyrics mid-song…we’ve all got our tricks right?
So there you have it—a groovy dive into everything femme fatale makes clear why we adore this compelling art form till date! With every note sung sparking laughter along hearts shared through timeless songs reflecting both quaint sentiments resonating across generations past present future alike…
Whether singing along wistfully or shimmying down avenues echoing those lilting tunes last forever imprint memory banks—all hail la chanson!
Bul Bul Bul – Kit Sebastian
Metropolis – Kit Sebastian
Faust – Kit Sebastian
Recuerdo – Cléa Vincent
Every Night – Moriarty, Mama Rosin
Yeter – Kit Sebastian
Cimetière créole – Bonbon vodou