Initially, Pourcel studied classical violin at the Paris Conservatoire, but he found the allure of jazz irresistible. In particular, he was an idol of Stephane Grappelli. Following his studies, he joined a number of jazz combos, which led him to his role as the leader of the French Fiddlers, who he joined in the late '40s. The French Fiddlers were a group of violinists that performed jazzy versions of classical numbers or classical arrangements of pop and jazz tunes. They signed to Pathe-Marconi and continued to refine their sound so they could reach a broader audience. The group earned their first hit in 1952 with a version of "Blue Tango."
In 1959, the French Fiddlers had a hit with an easy listening version of the Platters' "Only You" that featured a prominent beat; appropriately, it was credited to Franck Pourcel and His Rockin' Strings. It was a sound that became quite popular during the '60s, though frequently other musicians were more successful with it than Pourcel. Indeed, "Only You" was his only U.S. Top Ten hit. Nevertheless, he and the Fiddlers — who recorded under a variety of names — sold over 15 million records internationally by the early '70s. Pourcel continued to record easy listening albums and compose film scores throughout the '70s and into the '80s.
In 1958, he recorded an LP with the Viennese’s Waltzes, and then decided to lead his « Variety » public to the discovery and appreciation of popular classical pieces.
With his « Pages Celebres » he leds the sale of EMI Classics, but he felt no special vanity from this, for he considered himself in the service of music. He will record 17 LPs with the most famous classical orchestras like the London Symphony Orchestra, The London Philharmonic, The Lamoureux Orchestra, The BBC Orchestra…..
In 1979, following the evolution of the recording techniques, the series came to be called Classics in Digital.
« Adapting pop songs or classical pieces is a very delicate work because you have to dose the effects. I studied classics, and I am persuaded that if Mozart or Beethoven were here today they would wrote their music in a different arrangement. For them or the Variety, I write a kind of translation, according to my style, I think I am not betraying them. I often compare music with cooking. For the same recipe a chef can do something personal, the name of the dish remains the same, but the taste is different. Same thing with a score…. I was lucky in my life to be able to succeed in interpreting, my way, some music composed by others. I arrange it (or disarrange), and the original composers are happy ».
« Franck has the talent to ennoble the most simple melodies…..entering his music was and still is like entering the Pantheon » said Salvatore Adamo
A few of his musicians started a career on their own: » Michel Legrand was playing piano, when he was young. In my orchestra I had Raymond Lefevre, Paul Mauriat and Jean-Claude Casadessus, at that time playing percussions in my classical recordings ».
Between 1956 and 1972 he was the regular conductor for France at the Eurovision song contest, and he toured a lot in Japan, USA, South America, and appears on TV -show specials, all around the world.
A very discreet man, he never played up his personal or professional life. His record company has always had difficulty to write a biography mentioning how many records he sold (the sales if they were to be piled, one on top of the other, would represent 20 times the high of the Eiffel Tower), or how many gold records he got throughout the 58 countries where his albums were released. He was proud of his trophies, but didn’t talk about them. He smashed all sales records for the Europeans orchestras without fanfare or boosting.
He rather preferred to show his back directing the orchestra than his face to a camera. He rarely put his picture on the front of a cover « to recognize someone you have to appear on TV or movies. The public knows my name, I was the first one to do this kind of music in Europe ».
Nevertheless I watched him in 1984, during the pageant of Miss Mexico. He was President of the jury, and all the beautiful girls wanted to sit on his laps. He did not look unhappy!!!
His records have been exported to 58 countries; »I am going to surprise some people, but I have been the number 1 in the exportation of French records for 20 years (in 1982). Music is easier to export than songs with lyrics. When a record is produced in France it can be released the morning after in Yokohama or Los Angeles: there is no local version «
I remember that in 1975 Franck was asked by Air France to compose the Anthem for the new supersonic Concorde, because he was considered one of the 3 most exported French product with Brigitte Bardot and Air France.
He has composed some songs that he recorded, but rarely, because he did not liked his own compositions.
The most famous, « Chariot », started like a joke. It was composed with his friends Paul Mauriat and Raymond Lefevre , with lyrics by Jacques Plante. At that time, in 1962, everything coming from the US was striking gold, so they invented a story that the song was the soundtrack of a new western movie produced by the 20th century Fox »You’ll never See It ». Petula Clark sung the song and had a hit. In the USA the song was recorded as « I will Follow Him » by Little Peggy March., a fifteen years old singer, became number 1 in the Billboard charts all categories for 3 weeks, and in 1992 the song became the main theme for « Sister Act » 1 and 2, with Whoopie Goldberg. More recently, Eminem included some bars in his song « Guilty Conscience ».
From 1968, Franck worked with Claude-Michel Schonberg then artistic director at Pathe-marconi EMI records. A personal and professional relationship started and Franck produced Claude-Michel’s big hit « le Premier Pas’ and the following albums.
A show-biz star, against all odds, concerts all over the world, around 200 LPs recorded, more than 3000 titles in his repertoire, this was Franck Pourcel, my father. Five years after his death, thousands of faithful fans around the world send me messages, and these 4 Cds with some 100 titles from his catalogue, are dedicated to them.
« Hearing this heavenly fiddler, I now understand why instrument makers call the body of a violin its soul »
These words are from the French poet Jean Cocteau : the fiddler was Franck Pourcel.
Close to You
Franck Pourcel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of golden starlight in your eyes of blue
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Wa, close to you
Wa, close to you
Ha, close to you
La, close to you
The lyrics to Franck Pourcel's song Close to You are a beautiful tribute to the subject of the song. The first verse asks a question that is repeated throughout the song: "Why do birds suddenly appear / Every time you are near?" The answer is simple - "Just like me, they long to be / Close to you." The second verse follows a similar pattern, with a question about stars falling from the sky whenever the subject of the song walks by. The answer is the same - "Just like me, they long to be / Close to you." The song then shifts to a declaration of admiration for the subject of the song, with the description of how the angels came together to create a dream come true when the subject was born. The moon dust and starlight sprinkled in the subject's hair and eyes have made them a magnet for attention - "That is why all the girls in town / Follow you all around / Just like me, they long to be / Close to you." The song ends with a repeated refrain of "Just like me, they long to be / Close to you."
The lyrics to Close to You are a beautiful tribute to someone who is clearly admired and loved. The use of nature - birds and stars - to describe the intensity of feeling is both romantic and poetic. The reference to the angels coming together to create a dream come true speaks to the idea that the subject of the song is special and chosen. The repetition of "Just like me, they long to be / Close to you" emphasizes the singer's desire to be close to the subject, but also implies that everyone desires that closeness. Overall, the lyrics to Close to You are a beautiful expression of love and admiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do birds suddenly appear
Birds appear every time you are near as they also long to be close to you.
Every time you are near?
Your presence attracts birds to create a picturesque scene.
Just like me, they long to be
Similar to me, birds also crave to be close to you.
Close to you
Being near you seems like a dream come true.
Why do stars fall down from the sky
As soon as you walk past the stars, they fall down captivated by your beauty.
Every time you walk by?
Your aura entices the stars making them go off track.
On the day that you were born
An unforgettable day when angels got together to create a blessing for everyone.
The angels got together
A celestial gang united for a grand celebration.
And decided to create a dream come true
Their decision led to creating an angelic entity on earth - you.
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair
Angels brought starry shine to your hair, making them look magical.
Of golden starlight in your eyes of blue
Just like your hair, your eyes also shine with stardust making them heavenly.
That is why all the girls in town
Your magical aura is attracting people and making them follow you.
Follow you all around
Girls are enchanted by your charm and desire to be with you.
Just like me, they long to be
Similar to me, other girls also dream of being close to you.
Wa, close to you
You are a dream come true to many people near you.
Ha, close to you
Being close to you is a happy feeling for many people.
La, close to you
Your celestial aura surrounds you making you a fascinating person to be close to.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind