Georges Brassens was a French singer and songwriter known for accompanying … Read Full Bio ↴Georges Brassens was a French singer and songwriter known for accompanying himself with his acoustic guitar. He wrote some extremely controversial, yet poetic songs. In doing so, he managed to change attitudes across France.
He was uncompromising when composing his songs. His tactical method of addressing issues was profound and often humorous, making him a unique and effective figure in the French community.
Brassens, born in 1921 in the small Mediterrenean port of Sete, wanted to be a poet. He realized very early however that poetry in the 20th century could hardly put bread on the table and instead set himself to become a singer.
He is much less famous internationally than contemporaries like Charles Aznavour, Edith Piaf and Yves Montand, as much of the impact of his songs came from the lyrics, which proved difficult to translate into other languages. He loved the Middle Ages and used a great deal of Old French vocabulary, as well as many classical - ie., Latin and Greek - references. Few people, even in France, possess the background to fully understand his songs.
Yet he was at the same time a hugely popular singer and many of his songs still carry a lot of appeal and relevance. In this sense, he can be compared to Boris Vian, to Jacques Brel, and to a lesser extent to Serge Gainsbourg.
He was very sophisticated, yet at the same time used profanity liberally. While he wasn't politically engaged, he was nevertheless unambiguously a leftist, many of his songs carrying blatant and buoyant anarchist overtones.
While his music was initially quite primitive, the 1950's St-Germain-des-Pres influence quickly made itself felt and while subdued and - in his mind - always secondary to the lyrics, it became increasingly sophisticated - to the point that many of his songs have been covered and reinterpretated by jazzmen (see for instance this UK site: www.projetbrassens.eclipse.co.uk)
He died in 1981, but up to this date (2006) there are few French people - including most of those born since - who can't sing along to his most famous song, Les Copains d'abord ("Friends foremost") or his "Bancs public" ("Public Benches").
For those interested, this site carries a number of (quite good) English tranlations of his songs: www.brassens.org
He was uncompromising when composing his songs. His tactical method of addressing issues was profound and often humorous, making him a unique and effective figure in the French community.
Brassens, born in 1921 in the small Mediterrenean port of Sete, wanted to be a poet. He realized very early however that poetry in the 20th century could hardly put bread on the table and instead set himself to become a singer.
He is much less famous internationally than contemporaries like Charles Aznavour, Edith Piaf and Yves Montand, as much of the impact of his songs came from the lyrics, which proved difficult to translate into other languages. He loved the Middle Ages and used a great deal of Old French vocabulary, as well as many classical - ie., Latin and Greek - references. Few people, even in France, possess the background to fully understand his songs.
Yet he was at the same time a hugely popular singer and many of his songs still carry a lot of appeal and relevance. In this sense, he can be compared to Boris Vian, to Jacques Brel, and to a lesser extent to Serge Gainsbourg.
He was very sophisticated, yet at the same time used profanity liberally. While he wasn't politically engaged, he was nevertheless unambiguously a leftist, many of his songs carrying blatant and buoyant anarchist overtones.
While his music was initially quite primitive, the 1950's St-Germain-des-Pres influence quickly made itself felt and while subdued and - in his mind - always secondary to the lyrics, it became increasingly sophisticated - to the point that many of his songs have been covered and reinterpretated by jazzmen (see for instance this UK site: www.projetbrassens.eclipse.co.uk)
He died in 1981, but up to this date (2006) there are few French people - including most of those born since - who can't sing along to his most famous song, Les Copains d'abord ("Friends foremost") or his "Bancs public" ("Public Benches").
For those interested, this site carries a number of (quite good) English tranlations of his songs: www.brassens.org
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Best Of 40 chansons
Georges Brassens Lyrics
Au bois de mon cœur Au bois d'Clamart Y a des petites fleurs, y a des…
Auprès De Mon Arbre J'ai plaqué mon chêne comme un saligaud Mon copain le chêne,…
Brave Margot Margonton la jeune bergère Trouvant dans l'herbe un petit ch…
Chanson pour l'auvergnat Elle est à toi, cette chanson Toi l'auvergnat qui sans façon…
Dans l'eau de la claire fontaine Dans l'eau de la claire fontaine Elle se baignait toute nue …
Fernande Une manie de vieux garçon Moi j'ai pris l'habitude D'agrémen…
Il n'y a pas d'amour heureux Rien n'est jamais acquis à l'homme, ni sa force Ni sa…
J'ai rendez-vous avec vous Monseigneur l'astre solaire Comme je ne l'admire pas beaucou…
Je me suis fait tout petit Je n'avais jamais ôté mon chapeau Devant personne Maintenant…
L'orage Parlez-moi de la pluie et non pas du beau temps Le…
La Cane de Jeanne La cane De Jeanne Est morte au gui l'an neuf Elle avait fait…
La chasse aux papillons Un bon petit diable à la fleur de l'âge La jambe…
La femme d'Hector En notre tour de Babel Laquelle est la plus belle La plus…
La Guerre de 14-18 Depuis que l'homme écrit l'Histoire Depuis qu'il bataille à …
La marche nuptiale Mariage d'amour, mariage d'argent J'ai vu se marier toutes s…
La mauvaise réputation Au village, sans prétention J'ai mauvaise réputation Que je…
La Non-Demande En Mariage Ma mie, de grâce, ne mettons Pas sous la gorge à…
La prière Par le petit garçon qui meurt près de sa mère Tandis…
Le gorille C'est à travers de larges grilles Que les femelles du canton…
Le Grand Chêne Il vivait en dehors des chemins forestiers Ce n'était nullem…
Le mauvais sujet repenti Elle avait la taille faite au tour, les hanches pleines Et…
Le parapluie Il pleuvait fort sur la grand-route Elle cheminait sans para…
Le petit cheval Le petit cheval dans le mauvais temps Qu'il avait donc du…
Le pornographe Autrefois, quand j'étais marmot, j'avais la phobie des gros …
Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire Quand ils sont tout neufs Qu'ils sortent de l'œuf Du cocon T…
Le testament Je serai triste comme un saule Quand le Dieu qui partout…
Le vieux Leon Y a tout à l'heure, quinze ans d'malheur, mon vieux…
Le Vieux Léon Y’a tout à l’heure Quinze ans d’malheur Mon vieux Léon Que t…
Les amoureux des bancs publics Les gens qui voient de travers pensent que les bancs…
Les amours d'antan Moi, mes amours d'antan c'était de la grisette Margot, la bl…
Les copains d'abord Non, ce n'était pas le radeau De la Méduse, ce bateau Qu'on…
Les funérailles d'antan Jadis, les parents des morts vous mettaient dans le bain De…
Les Sabots d'Hélène Les sabots d'Hélène étaient tout crottés Les trois capitaine…
Les trompettes de la renommée Je vivais à l'écart de la place publique Serein, contemplati…
Misogynie à part Misogynie à part, le sage avait raison Il y a les…
Mourir pour des idées Mourir pour des idées L'idée est excellente Moi j'ai failli …
P... De toi En ce temps-là, je vivais dans la lune Les bonheurs d'ici-b…
Saturne Il est morne, il est taciturne Il préside aux choses du…
Supplique pour être enterré à la plage de Sète La Camarde qui ne m'a jamais pardonné D'avoir semé des fleur…
Une jolie fleur Jamais sur Terre il n y eut d'amoureux Plus aveugles que…