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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Georges Brassens Gold
Georges Brassens Lyrics
Au bois de mon cœur Au bois d'Clamart Y a des petites fleurs, y a des…
Bonhomme Malgré la bise qui mord La pauvre vieille de somme Va ramass…
Cupidon S'En Fout Pour changer en amour notre amourette Il s'en serait pas fal…
Dans l'eau de la claire fontaine Dans l'eau de la claire fontaine Elle se baignait toute nue …
Don Juan Gloire à qui freine à mort, de peur d'ecrabouiller Le héris…
La Ballade des gens qui sont nés quelque part C'est vrai qu'ils sont plaisants tous ces petits villages To…
La complainte des filles de joie Bien que ces vaches de bourgeois, bien que ces vaches…
La fille à cent sous Du temps que je vivais dans le troisième dessous Ivrogne, im…
La Mauvaise Réputation - Version Originale 25cm Au village, sans prétention, J'ai mauvaise réputation. Que j…
La Non-demande en mariage M’amie de grâce ne mettons Pas sous la gorge à Cupidon Sa…
La Princesse Et Le Croque-Notes Jadis, au lieu du jardin que voici, C’était la zone et…
La Route Aux Quatre Chansons J'ai pris la route de Dijon Pour voir un peu la…
Le Blason Ayant avec lui toujours fait bon ménage J'eusse aimé célébre…
Le Boulevard Du Temps Qui Passe A peine sortis du berceau, Nous sommes allés faire un saut …
Le Bulletin De Santé J'ai perdu mes bajoues, j'ai perdu ma bedaine Et, ce, d'une…
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 Père Noël et la Petite Fille Avec sa hotte sur le dos Avec sa hotte sur le…
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…
Le Vingt-Deux Septembre Un vingt et deux septembre au diable vous partites, Et, dep…
Les copains d'abord Non, ce n'était pas le radeau De la Méduse, ce bateau Qu'on…
Les Oiseaux De Passage Ô vie heureuse des bourgeois Qu'avril bourgeonne Ou que dece…
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…
Quatre-Vingt-Quinze Pour Cent Les dragons de vertu n'en prennent pas ombrage, Si j'avais …
Sale Petit Bonhomme Sale petit bonhomme, il ne portait plus d'ailes Plus de ban…
Sauf Le Respect Que Je Vous Dois Si vous y tenez tant parlez-moi des affaires publiques Encor…
Stances A Un Cambrioleur Prince des monte-en-l'air et de la cambriole Toi qui eus le…
Une jolie fleur (dans une peau d'vache) Jamais sur terre il n’y eut d’amoureux Plus aveugles que moi…