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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Giants Of Jazz Play Brassens
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…
Chanson pour l'auvergnat Elle est à toi, cette chanson Toi l'auvergnat qui sans façon…
Cupidon S'En Fout Pour changer en amour notre amourette Il s'en serait pas fal…
Elégie A Un Rat De Cave Personne n'aurait cru ce cave Prophétisant que par malheur M…
Embrasse-les tous Tu n'es pas de cell's qui meur'nt où ell's s'attachent, Tu…
Histoire De Faussaire Se découpant sur champ d'azur La ferme était fausse bien sû…
J'ai rendez-vous avec vous Monseigneur l’astre solaire Comme je n’l’admire pas beaucoup…
Je me suis fait tout petit Je n'avais jamais ôté mon chapeau Devant personne Maintenant…
La ballade des cimetières J'ai des tombeaux en abondance Des sépultur's à discrétion …
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 Marche nuptiale Mariage d'amour, mariage d'argent J'ai vu se marier toutes s…
La Non-demande en mariage M’amie de grâce ne mettons Pas sous la gorge à Cupidon Sa…
La prière Par le petit garçon qui meurt près de sa mère Tandis…
La ronde des jurons Voici la ronde des jurons Qui chantaient clair, qui dansaien…
Le pornographe Autrefois, quand j'étais marmot, j'avais la phobie des gros …
Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire Lam Sol Fa Mi Lam Quand ils sont tout neufs, qu'ils…
Le temps passé Dans les comptes d'apothicaire Vingt ans, c'est un' somm' de…
Le vent Si, par hasard Sur l'Pont des Arts Tu croises le vent, le…
Les copains d'abord Non, ce n'était pas le radeau De la Méduse, ce bateau Qu'on…
Maman Papa Maman, maman, en faisant cette chanson Maman, maman, je r'de…
P... De toi En ce temps-là, je vivais dans la lune Les bonheurs d'ici-b…