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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Les copains d'abord
Georges Brassens Lyrics
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…
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 …
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 chasse aux papillons Un bon petit diable à la fleur de l'âge La jambe…
La complainte des filles de joie Bien que ces vaches de bourgeois, bien que ces vaches…
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…
Le gorille C'est à travers de larges grilles Que les femelles du canton…
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 Vingt-Deux Septembre Un vingt et deux septembre au diable vous partites, Et, dep…
Les amoureux des bancs publics Les gens qui voient de travers pensent que les bancs…
Les copains d'abord Non, ce n'était pas le radeau De la Méduse, ce bateau Qu'on…
Les Passantes Je veux dédier ce poème A toutes les femmes qu'on aime Penda…
Les Sabots d'Hélène Les sabots d'Hélène étaient tout crottés Les trois capitaine…
Rien à jeter Sans ses cheveux qui volent J'aurais, dorénavant Des difficu…
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…