NOTE: I also do free French bilingual short stories (parallel texts), and I've put lots of info + links on my Home Page
For more on French music go to The Top 100 French Songs page or my other page: The Why and How: Using French Language Music for Learning French.
NEW PAGE: My Spotify and Deezer Playlists of Modern Era French Music Artists & Songs of Interest Talk Stations
If you are looking for talk stations which are good for learning French than try these. France Info Public owned info station RTL Quite political at times. Good Interviews. Occasional music (11.1% audience share) NOTE: most listened to station in France France Inter public owned. Sometimes a bit too arty farty. More than occasional music (8.5% audience share) Europe 1 Witty, humourous, political, fast paced talk, occasional music (8.2% audience share) If you are looking for a mix of music and low brow talk (cooking, relationships ...etc) try France Bleu Infact, France Bleu is a public owned group of many regional and local stations that often share content. The particular station linked to is the flagship Parisian station (107.1). WARNING: The music tends to be naff dated English language music mixed with very naff and dated French language music. However, the talk in this station tends to be more accessible than with the high brow talk stations above. Just be warned, they talk about food ALL THE BLOODY MORNINGS, for hours on end! It can drive you nuts if that's not your thing. If you are looking for a station that is a bit of casual (but cutting edge) chat mixed with lots of interesting French language music for the under 25's (like a French BBC Radio One) then good luck 'cus your own your own with that one. The nearest ones you will find to this (albeit with mostly anglophone music) are: Le Mouv' (NME style music) best for music NRJ (BBC Radio One style music minus the indie part) best for chat Skyrock (Constant thumping music with no variation. Only suitible for under 14's) Worst of both worlds. If you want a good site where you can easily and quickly flick between French langauage radio stations (talk or music) then choose one of these two ecouterradioenligne.co frequence-radio.com If the music on the stations to the right are still a bit too kitsch (aka naff) for you, then you may prefer this Spotify playlist (below) of my favourite French language music; an eclectic mix of the best of the past and the present. The bonus is, being a Brit myself, this playlist is more likely to suit the Anglophone taste-bud (or is that ear-bud?).
My Other French Language Music Playlists on Spotify
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. FREE FRENCH LESSON
Intermediate-Advanced Brigitte A Bouche Que Veut-Tu (2014) If you were to ask me who I'm mostly listening to these days my honest answer would be Brigitte. This pair of super hipster femmes fatales found success late in the game but they are making up for it now. This particular track never fails to hit the sweet spot. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Charles Aznavour La Bohème (1965) If ever I'm feeling down there is always one song guaranteed to sooth my soul. This one. The song so beautifully describes the life of poor Parisian artists scraping a living together and finding comfort in each other and their own art that you'll feel like you are sharing the experience with them. Aznavour himself was born to Armenian immigrants but has attained legendary status to the point that you'll find him written within the DNA of every French man, woman and child alive. FREE FRENCH LESSON Intermediate Level Charles Trenet Douce France (1947) It may be old but despite the age gap many of you will will be familiar with this song, particularly the melody. Hands up, I find many of the songs from this period a bit samey but a few by Charles Trenet stand out from the crowd. The reasons you should get to know this particular song yourselves are two fold. First, this song is almost a national anthem packed with nostalgia enriched images of France at it's most chocolate box period. Second, despite his idiosyncratic singing style, Trenet enunciates well so you'll be able to follow what he's singing with ease. FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level Gilbert Bécaud Et Maintenant (1961) Be prepared for pain, passion and anger... and then some. If you watch the clip I chose of Bécaud singing this song live, then you'll find it hard to believe that he hasn't just come straight from a mental asylum. However, when you start to understand the bitter words spat forth you'll come to realize his genius in capturing the feeling of utter rejection that most of us have experienced at least once in our lives. Watch the madness in the eyes... FREE FRENCH LESSON Beginner-Intermediate Level La Godinette OR Gael Lefevere + Nicolas Quemener J'étais Lassée D’être Jeune Fille (????) When Gael Lefevere, the guy responsible for introducing me to the real French music scene, had interpreted this traditional Breton song with fellow musician Nicolas Quemener, I remembered thinking to myself that it was possibly the most moving piece of French language music I had ever come across. Like all songs from this region of France, the lyrics are hard and biting, yet all the more interesting for it, and you'll see just how deep the Celtic roots run in listening to the original version by La Godinette, a version that I have also come to love. Now it's your turn. |
The Best 'French Music Only' Radio Stations
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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 a 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.
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 a 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.