Claude Nougaro (September 9, 1929 Toulouse – March 4, 2004 Paris) was a Fre… Read Full Bio ↴Claude Nougaro (September 9, 1929 Toulouse – March 4, 2004 Paris) was a French songwriter and singer.
Son of an opera singer and an Italian piano teacher (Liette), he was raised by his grandparents in Toulouse, where he heard Glenn Miller, Édith Piaf and Louis Armstrong (among others) on the radio.
In 1947 he failed his baccalaureat and commenced a career in journalism, writing for various journals including Le Journal des Curistes at Vichy and L'Echo d'Alger. At the same time he wrote songs for Marcel Amont (Le barbier de Belleville, Le balayeur du roi) and Philippe Clay (Joseph, La sentinelle). He met Georges Brassens, who became his friend and mentor.
In 1949 he performed his military service in the foreign legion at Rabat, Morocco.
He sent his lyrics to Marguerite Monnot, Édith Piaf's songwriter, who put them to music. (Méphisto, Le Sentier de la guerre). He started to sing for a livelihood in 1959 in a Parisian cabaret in Montmartre, Le lapin agile.
In 1962, he decided to sing his works himself: Une petite fille and Cécile ma fille (dedicated to his daughter, born in 1962 to his wife Sylvie, whom he met at Le lapin agile). These songs made him immediately known to the larger public, which he had already started to penetrate by participating in the concerts of Dalida.
A car accident immobilised him for several months in 1963. The following year he travelled to Brazil, and sang in prestigious halls in Paris: the Olympia, the Palais, the Théâtre de la Ville.
Following the death of his friend Jacques Audiberti in 1965 he wrote, in homage, the song Chanson pour le maçon.
The events of May 1968 inspired him to the torrential Paris Mai, a plea for life, which would be banned from the airwaves. The same year he recorded his first live album at the Olympia: Une soirée avec Claude Nougaro.
His career continued normally punctuated with success: Le jazz et la java, Tu verras, Île de Ré, Armstrong, Toulouse, Petit taureau. But in 1984, his recording company did not renew his contract. Nougaro left for New York, seeking inspiration, and while there wrote and recorded a self-financed disc, Nougayork, whose resounding success was a surprise.
In 1988 Victoires de la musique rewarded him with best album and best artist, and between 1993 and 1997 he released three new albums.
His health deteriorated after 1995, when he underwent a heart operation. In 2003, his condition left him unable to appear at the festival du Verbe at Toulouse. From 1998 to 2004 he devoted himself more to concerts and festivals, apart from an album in aid of children suffering from AIDS. Having undergone further surgery in early 2004, he died of cancer in March, 74 years old.
His music drew inspiration, among other sources, from American jazz, from which he borrowed heavily (Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins), but also from Brazilian music (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell de Aquino, Chico Buarque).
Son of an opera singer and an Italian piano teacher (Liette), he was raised by his grandparents in Toulouse, where he heard Glenn Miller, Édith Piaf and Louis Armstrong (among others) on the radio.
In 1947 he failed his baccalaureat and commenced a career in journalism, writing for various journals including Le Journal des Curistes at Vichy and L'Echo d'Alger. At the same time he wrote songs for Marcel Amont (Le barbier de Belleville, Le balayeur du roi) and Philippe Clay (Joseph, La sentinelle). He met Georges Brassens, who became his friend and mentor.
In 1949 he performed his military service in the foreign legion at Rabat, Morocco.
He sent his lyrics to Marguerite Monnot, Édith Piaf's songwriter, who put them to music. (Méphisto, Le Sentier de la guerre). He started to sing for a livelihood in 1959 in a Parisian cabaret in Montmartre, Le lapin agile.
In 1962, he decided to sing his works himself: Une petite fille and Cécile ma fille (dedicated to his daughter, born in 1962 to his wife Sylvie, whom he met at Le lapin agile). These songs made him immediately known to the larger public, which he had already started to penetrate by participating in the concerts of Dalida.
A car accident immobilised him for several months in 1963. The following year he travelled to Brazil, and sang in prestigious halls in Paris: the Olympia, the Palais, the Théâtre de la Ville.
Following the death of his friend Jacques Audiberti in 1965 he wrote, in homage, the song Chanson pour le maçon.
The events of May 1968 inspired him to the torrential Paris Mai, a plea for life, which would be banned from the airwaves. The same year he recorded his first live album at the Olympia: Une soirée avec Claude Nougaro.
His career continued normally punctuated with success: Le jazz et la java, Tu verras, Île de Ré, Armstrong, Toulouse, Petit taureau. But in 1984, his recording company did not renew his contract. Nougaro left for New York, seeking inspiration, and while there wrote and recorded a self-financed disc, Nougayork, whose resounding success was a surprise.
In 1988 Victoires de la musique rewarded him with best album and best artist, and between 1993 and 1997 he released three new albums.
His health deteriorated after 1995, when he underwent a heart operation. In 2003, his condition left him unable to appear at the festival du Verbe at Toulouse. From 1998 to 2004 he devoted himself more to concerts and festivals, apart from an album in aid of children suffering from AIDS. Having undergone further surgery in early 2004, he died of cancer in March, 74 years old.
His music drew inspiration, among other sources, from American jazz, from which he borrowed heavily (Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins), but also from Brazilian music (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell de Aquino, Chico Buarque).
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Les 50 Plus Belles Chansons
Claude Nougaro Lyrics
A Bout De Souffle Quand jai rouvert les yeux Tout tait sombre dans la chambre …
A Tes Seins Il vaut mieux s'adresser au Bon Dieu qu'à ses saints Je…
Armstrong Armstrong, je ne suis pas noir Je suis blanc de peau Quand…
Autour de minuit Aux rendez-vous d'amour Tout mon temps t'appartient et pour…
Berceuse à Pépé Tu vas mourir, tu vas t' éteindre Comme une lampe de…
Bidonville Regarde là, ma ville Elle s'appelle Bidon Bidon, Bidon, Bido…
Bleu Blanc Blues Sur l'hymne national de ma peau J'ai hissé les couleurs d'…
Brésilien Brésilien mon frère d'armes Sur le parcours du cœur battant…
C'est une Garonne Moi mon océan C'est une Garonne Qui s'écoule comme Un tapis …
Ca Fait Mal Elle n'est jamais douce ni tendre Ma femme fatale Mais j'sui…
Cécile Ma Fille Elle voulait un enfant Moi je n'en voulais pas Mais il lui…
Côte D'Azur Une fille est sortie de ma côte d'Azur Ça ne m'a…
COTE D'AZUR Une fille est sortie de ma Côte D′Azur Ça ne m'a…
Dansez Sur Moi Dansez sur moi Dansez sur moi Le soir de vos fiançailles Dan…
Il y avait une ville Que se passe-t-il? J'n'y comprends rien Y avait une ville …
Je Suis Sous Je suis sous, sous, sous Sous ton balcon Comme Roméo Oh O…
L'Amour Sorcier Gai gai gai Je suis l'amour sorcier Gai gai gai Ma tête e…
La chanson Celle qui entre par une oreille Trouve l'autre fermée Et r…
La Danse Petits chats, petits rats avec nos frêles os Nous allions à…
La Neige Oh la neige! Regarde la neige qui tombe... Cimetière enchan…
La Pluie Fait Des Claquettes La pluie fait des claquettes Sur le trottoir à minuit Parf…
Le Chat Chaque fois que j'ai affaire aux souris J'ai envie de donne…
Le Cinéma Sur l'écran noir de mes nuits blanches, Moi je me fais…
Le Coq et la Pendule Dans une ferme du Poitou Un coq aimait une pendule Tous les…
Le jazz et la java Quand le jazz est Quand le jazz est là La java s'en La…
Le Piano De Mauvaise Vie Why don't you come over 'bout a quarter to nine Bring…
Les Don Juan Ce qu'il faut dire de fadaises Pour voir enfin du fond…
Les Pas Qui des deux a marché vers l'autre J'ai longtemps cru que…
Locomotive D'Or Locomotive d'or, Aussi riche en pistons, Aussi chargée d'e…
Marcia Martienne D′âme et de corps Tu l'sais je t′adore Mais j'vais te dire U…
Mater Je ne sais plus où j'en suis De mes jours et…
Mon Disque D'Eté Mon disque d'été est déjà rayé Par les rayons gris de…
Nous Voici C'est pas l'moment, non, C'est pas le moment de douter De do…
Paris Mai Mai mai mai Paris mai Mai mai…
Petit Taureau Je suis un petit taureau, Mais moi c'est pas pareil Je sui…
Quatre boules de cuir Quatre boules de cuir Tournent dans la lumière De ton œil él…
Reunion Un dernier mot pour toi avant de m'endormir Avec ton nom…
Rimes J'aime la vie quand elle rime à quelque chose J'aime les…
Rue Saint Denis À minuit, je sucre des fraises J'ai la feuille de vigne…
Sa Majeste Le Jazz Avec un J de joie Dans un D de détresse Un A…
Schplaouch Schplaouch ! J'ai plongé dans la vie En sortant de ma mère J…
Soeur Ame Ma sœur âme, ma sœur Amante religieuse Je suis un noceur Soi…
Toulouse Qu'il est loin mon pays, qu'il est loin Parfois au fond…
Tu Verras Ah, tu verras, tu verras Tout recommencera, tu verras, tu v…
Un Ete Un été Où je venais d'atteindre mes quatorze ans J'avais…
Une Petite Fille Un' petit' fille en pleurs Dans une ville en pluie Et moi…