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 Lyrics
Ballade des dames du temps jadis Dites-moi où, n'en quel pays Est Flora, la belle Romaine Arc…
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…
Gastibelza Gaztibelza, l'homme à la carabine Chantait ainsi Quelqu'un a…
J'ai rendez-vous avec vous Monseigneur l'astre solaire Comme je ne l'admire pas beaucou…
Je suis un voyou Ci-gît au fond de mon cœur une histoire ancienne Un fantôme,…
La chasse aux papillons Un bon petit diable à la fleur de l'âge La jambe…
La légende de la nonne Venez, vous dont l'oeil étincelle Pour entendre une histoire…
La Mauvaise Herbe Quand le jour de gloire est arrivé Comme tous les autres…
La première fille J'ai tout oublié des campagnes D'Austerlitz et de Waterloo D…
La prière Par le petit garçon qui meurt près de sa mère Tandis…
Le Bricoleur Pendant les rares moments de pause Où il n' répare pas…
Les amoureux des bancs publics Les gens qui voient de travers pensent que les bancs…
Les Sabots d'Hélène Les sabots d'Hélène étaient tout crottés Les trois capitaine…
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…
Une jolie fleur Jamais sur Terre il n y eut d'amoureux Plus aveugles que…