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FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level Edith Piaf Je Ne Regrette Rien (1960) Probably the only French song that the average Joe knows. Well, at least it's a good one. Emotionally charged and yet short and simple song, and hence good for beginners. No extremely metaphorical lyrics, just nice and direct, which helps. FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus (1969) Very very naughty. The controversial French lyrical genius begat a controversial sexy French song. You all know this one so there's not much more for me to add... except, if you thought it was a tad risqué beforehand, just wait until you understand the 'ins and outs' (ha ha!/ lol) of the lyrics. CONTINUED BELOW FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate Level Stromea Alors On Danse (2013) This is the song that started it all off for Stromea. I used to flick on the music channels when drinking my bowl of coffee in the mornings and when this song came out, it was on EVERY morning for what felt like a year. It became one of those songs that would play in my head all day long. Be careful, it may have the same effect on you. FREE FRENCH LESSON
Beginner-Intermediate Level Claude François Comme D'habitude (1967) Confession: I hate every song this artist ever did except this one which was truly a chef d'oeuvre. After being seen on TV by a Canadian artist, the song was bought and its lyrics re-written in English once the song had been given totally different theme. The finished product was then sung by Frank Sinatra and thus was born: 'I Did It My Way' FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Indila Dernière Danse (2014) This was on the free to view music channels every morning for the whole of spring 2014. A hit that came out of nowhere which now has 73 million YouTube hits. Vevo wouldn't let me use the official video so I used an excellent remix in place. (burn-Vevo-burn) FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Zaz Je Veux (2010) This was the song that led to Zaz becoming Frances top selling artist abroad in 2010 (or was it another year?) The album from which it came (called Zaz as it happens) ranked high in the charts all over Europe (except, of course, the UK). Simple but potent lyrics whose meaning hit home with me. Plenty of slang phrases within so if you need to work on that then this is your song. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Stromae Papaoutai (2013) Recent hit all over europe and the world (152 million YouTube Hits) by the now established king of electro-urban-geek music. This song is not the easiest of ones but has a very strong lyrical narrative, if not message (as do all his songs). Note that I've put in the phonetics for this lesson using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Benjamin Biolay Ton Héritage (2009) Modern Classic Chanson Française. One man, one piano, one haunting tune, and a bunch of stirring lines. This one always gives me goose pimples when I hear it on the radio. The word for word translations are there but I have left it light on the grammar notes. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Jacques Brel Ne Me Quitte Pas (1959) This song is considered by many to be the all time greatest chanson française that has ever existed. Always at the top of meta-critic polls and a personal favorite of my own (I only do songs that I like). It's an oldie (circa 1959) and yet so timeless... P.s. I have done the phonetics for this one FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate-Advanced Level Malicorne Le Luneux (1977?) From the album Almanach, this traditional French folk song reconstructed by the experimental headonism of Malicorne in the late seventies will make you shiver with delight. I'm not sure whether the melody came from another song, but who cares when it's this good. Some oldie style wording but my notes will help you understand it. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate-Advanced Level Olivia Ruiz La Femme Chocolat (2006) Unique voice, unique style of music, unique lyrics and unique looks help this artist stand far out from the often samey nouvelle scene crowd. This particular song demonstrates well her quirkiness with lyrics that are just damnright trippy. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Serge Lama Je Suis Malade (1973) Possibly the most melancholic song in the history of mankind... and I love it. It's all about the words dude and Mr Lama paints such a stark yet poignant picture with them that you can't help putting yourself in his boots. Get a glass of whisky, light up cigarette and think of the lovers that have hurt you... you are now ready for this lesson. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Gael Lefevere & Nicolas Quemener J'étais Laissée D’être Jeune Fille (2014) Gael Lefevere, (probably the best bombard player in the world and also a good friend of mine) had interpreted this traditional Breton song about two years ago with fellow musician Nicolas Quemener (a damn fine Celtic Guitarist.) When I first heard it I remember thinking to myself that this is the most moving piece of French language music I had ever come across and so I decided to make a lesson of it. it. Other Free French Lessons Based On Popular French Language Songs
.................................................... Brigitte - A Bouche Que Veut Tu (2014) Charles Aznavour - La Bohème (1965) Charles Trenet - Douce France (1947) Gilbert Bécaud - Et Maintenant (1961) THE TOP TEN MOST INTERESTING French Language Music Artists Since 2000 French language music has always had a bit of a reputation for being naff among English speaking peoples. To rebuke those accusations I therefore present some shockingly good modern era music artists (Frenchies who still sing in French, who'd have thought..). The list is accompanied with individually playable YouTube videos so you can quickly sample and decide for yourselves. I have also written a ditty on each artist, not that anyone reads now-a-days. MY SPOTIFY AND DEEZER PLAYLISTS OF The Top 100 French Language Songs (Chansons Françaises) Ever See my list of what I think are the best French language songs ever (with learning the the French Language and Culture in mind) but that are specifically chosen to suite anglophone tastes. I have linked all the songs to YouTube videos, most with lyrics on them or underneath. Slowly doing write-ups for each. And you can listen to them all on the above page if you sign-up to Spotify THE WHY AND HOW: Using Les Chansons Francaises to Learn French. Read my article explaining why and how... oh... I've just said that. I may go off on a folly with this article but what I say within (when I eventually get to the point) could change your current methods of learning French for the better. Also: detailed look at Irony vs atlantic drift. ONE-STOP LINKS AND REVIEWS FOR The Best French Music Only Radio Stations Want to listen to French Radio Stations for French Language Songs but finding every two out of three songs are in English (and 3rd rate ones at that). Well, you've found the one link to rule them all, the one link to find them, the one link to link them all, and in cyberspace bind them. Now that's what I call kick-ass poetry! (Suck on that one keats) MY SPOTIFY AND DEEZER PLAYLISTS OF Modern Era French Music Artists And Songs Did you find my playlist of the top 100 French Language Songs of all time too old fashioned, too meloncholic? Here's the remedy. This is my personal playlist of modern french language music and it goes from mainstream pop to left-field hipster. It's like what French music radio stations would be like if you took out all the 80's anglophone music and then gave it taste. French music can be... good? ALL BY MY SELF... DON'T WANNA BE... Hints & Tips for Learning French as a Self Study Topic Going it alone can be a daunting challenge so why not take a little advice from those that have already crossed that bridge. Stand on the shoulders of vertically challenged people, that's what I say (No dwarfs were harmed during the writing of this article) CONJUGATE THIS FOTHER MUCKER Rundown of the French Verb Tenses and Moods I noticed that there was very little on the web giving a brief yet comprehensive rundown of these French verb tense-moods as I like to call them. Even less showing the use of them with examples. Shall we consider this lacune filled now? THE SLIPPERY FISH OF FRENCH TENSES The French Imperfect Tense (l'imparfait) There is one barrier left between you and near comprehension of French texts: L'Imparfait. ...and so welcome to my rule of thumb rule on how to translate this tense when you come across it in your readings. Examples given will help you understand... hopefully. FREE ONLINE PARALLEL TEXT
Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes: Un Scandale en Bohème [A Scandal in Bohemia] Short story, sentance under sentance alignment, word for word translations, grammar notes... ideal for a beginner with very little knowledge of French. .......................... Parallel Text Languages: English, French. Original Text: English. Word Count: 9,248 (English version). First Published: 1892 FREE ONLINE PARALLEL TEXT Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes: L'Association des Hommes Roux [The Red-headed League],[La liga de los Pelirrojos],[Der Bund der Rothaarigen] Parallel text of four languages; English, French, Spanish and German. There are four columns with a language in each. The paragraphs are neatly alligned which means that even referring from column 1. (English) to column 4. (German) is quite intuitive. ........................... Parallel Text Languages: English, French, Spanish, German. Original Text: English. Word Count: 9,862 (English version). First Published: 1892 FREE ONLINE PARALLEL TEXT Jean Hougron Quatrième Étage [Fourth Floor] NOTE: Abandoned before completion due to concerns over author's rights. However, what was done up to that point remains very useful to beginners as the grammar notes are very robust. ......................... Parallel Text Languages: English, French. Original Text: French. Word Count: (French version). First Published: 1958 FREE ONLINE PARALLEL TEXT Gustave Flaubert Madame Bovary Side by side horizontal paragraph alignment and also vertical sentence under sentence alignment. Occasional annotations given. Suitable for intermediate-advanced learners .......................... Parallel Text Languages: English, French. Original Text: French. Word Count: 115,456 . First Published: 1857 |
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