Son of an opera singer and an Italian piano teacher (Liette), he was raised by his grandparents in Toulouse, where he heard Glenn Miller, Édith Piaf and Louis Armstrong (among others) on the radio.
In 1947 he failed his baccalaureat and commenced a career in journalism, writing for various journals including Le Journal des Curistes at Vichy and L'Echo d'Alger. At the same time he wrote songs for Marcel Amont (Le barbier de Belleville, Le balayeur du roi) and Philippe Clay (Joseph, La sentinelle). He met Georges Brassens, who became his friend and mentor.
In 1949 he performed his military service in the foreign legion at Rabat, Morocco.
He sent his lyrics to Marguerite Monnot, Édith Piaf's songwriter, who put them to music. (Méphisto, Le Sentier de la guerre). He started to sing for a livelihood in 1959 in a Parisian cabaret in Montmartre, Le lapin agile.
In 1962, he decided to sing his works himself: Une petite fille and Cécile ma fille (dedicated to his daughter, born in 1962 to his wife Sylvie, whom he met at Le lapin agile). These songs made him immediately known to the larger public, which he had already started to penetrate by participating in the concerts of Dalida.
A car accident immobilised him for several months in 1963. The following year he travelled to Brazil, and sang in prestigious halls in Paris: the Olympia, the Palais, the Théâtre de la Ville.
Following the death of his friend Jacques Audiberti in 1965 he wrote, in homage, the song Chanson pour le maçon.
The events of May 1968 inspired him to the torrential Paris Mai, a plea for life, which would be banned from the airwaves. The same year he recorded his first live album at the Olympia: Une soirée avec Claude Nougaro.
His career continued normally punctuated with success: Le jazz et la java, Tu verras, Île de Ré, Armstrong, Toulouse, Petit taureau. But in 1984, his recording company did not renew his contract. Nougaro left for New York, seeking inspiration, and while there wrote and recorded a self-financed disc, Nougayork, whose resounding success was a surprise.
In 1988 Victoires de la musique rewarded him with best album and best artist, and between 1993 and 1997 he released three new albums.
His health deteriorated after 1995, when he underwent a heart operation. In 2003, his condition left him unable to appear at the festival du Verbe at Toulouse. From 1998 to 2004 he devoted himself more to concerts and festivals, apart from an album in aid of children suffering from AIDS. Having undergone further surgery in early 2004, he died of cancer in March, 74 years old.
His music drew inspiration, among other sources, from American jazz, from which he borrowed heavily (Charles Mingus, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins), but also from Brazilian music (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Baden Powell de Aquino, Chico Buarque).
Work Song
Claude Nougaro Lyrics
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Now you're singin' with a swing
Sing sing sing, sing, everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin' with a swing.
When the music goes around,
Everybody's goes go to town.
But here is one thing you should know
Now you're singin with a swing
Swing swing swing swing, listen to the trumpet swing
Blow blow blow blow, listen to the trombones go
When the music goes around,
Everybody's goes go to town.
But here is one thing you should know
Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Everybody go!
Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin with a swing
Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin with a swing
Swing swing swing, everybody start to swing
Now your swingin while you sing
When the music goes around, everybody goes to town
Just relax and take is slow
SIng sing
Start singing, keep swinging
Now you're singing with a swing
The song "Work Song" by Claude Nougaro is a jazz classic that encourages its listeners to join in and sing along. The lyrics are simple, but they convey the joy and energy of music. The song begins with the repeating directive to "sing, sing, sing" and encourages everyone to start singing with a swing.
The second verse reminds listeners that when the music starts playing, everyone should join in and go to town. The trumpet and trombones take over as the song continues to swing, and the tempo picks up. The final verse repeats the directive to sing and swing, encouraging listeners to just relax and take it slow.
Though the lyrics are straightforward, Nougaro's performance is what truly brings the song to life. His smooth, mellow voice perfectly complements the jazzy instrumentation, and his passion for the music is infectious. Listeners can't help but feel swept up in the song's joyful exuberance.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing, sing, sing, sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Begin your melodic expression with enthusiasm like ‘dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah’.
Now you're singin' with a swing
You feel the upbeat tempo and rhythm of the music in your singing.
When the music goes around, Everybody's goes go to town
When rhythm spreads from town to town, everyone participates enthusiastically.
Sing sing sing sing everybody start to sing like dee dee dee, bah bah bah dah
Now you're singin with a swing
Start singing joyfully and at a faster pace to become one with the music.
Swing swing swing swing, listen to the trumpet swing
Blow blow blow blow, listen to the trombones go
Pay attention to the pleasant sound of the trumpet and the smooth flow of the trombone.
Everybody go!
Everyone should join in and sing alongside.
Swing swing swing, everybody start to swing
Now your swingin while you sing
React to the lively music and move with the rhythm while simultaneously singing.
Just relax and take is slow
Stay cool and carry on at a pace which is comfortable to you.
Sing sing
Start singing, keep swinging
Now you're singing with a swing
Begin your singing with vigour, followed by and continued with an upbeat tempo, and become at one with the music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOUIS PRIMA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Suzanne Choucri
Merci pour cette perle.