French violinist Franck Pourcel is best-known for his jazzy string arrangem… Read Full Bio ↴French violinist Franck Pourcel is best-known for his jazzy string arrangements of pop hits, as well as his lush easy listening arrangements and film scores.

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.

Copacabana
Franck Pourcel Lyrics

We have lyrics for 'Copacabana' by these artists:

02. Izal Antes de nada dejaremos claras Las páginas que nos importan …
612 En seks hundre krum to plater i lomma Bankkonto på Bol…
A.M.P. (Y no lo enseñan en la escuela, eh) (LaPena puta, Copacabana…
Adrien Gallo Ce serait vraiment terrible d'être prisonnier de son quotidi…
Aksel & Hef Du og jeg baby bare vi to Ved bassenget i hjertet…
Alan Tew & Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Albatraoz Åh, vi är nere på stranden Med skumpan i handen O fötter…
Alex Perry Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Amanda Lear Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…

Ambelique Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
B.I.S.C.A.T.E Con queste quattro note L'estate senti già La musica è un po…
Barão Vermelho Copacabana você não me angana Com seus bares e quitinetes Va…
Barry Manilow Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Barry Manilow feat. Toucans Steel Drum Band Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Barry Manilow/Barry Manilow Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Bing Crosby Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Biwaï J'dégomme j'dégomme la prod ouais Préviens préviens ta pote …
Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Bruce Sussman Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Bue Ποιός είπε ότι κάνεις κουμάντα εκπέμπω απ την Copacabana Έχω…
Carla Prata Copacabana O sol a brilhar no teu corpo Te quero mas tenho…
Carlos Otero with Vicente Alvarez and his Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Chanceko Elle m'dit "Va voir ailleurs", mais j'trouverais jamais auss…
Charly Galatis And His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Christophe Willem Copaca-Copacaba-Copacabana Copaca-Copacaba-Copacabana Paris…
COPACABANA Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Countdown Singers Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Culcha Candela Sure, alright Ich bin broke, ist kein Joke Kommuniziere lie…
Dennis Hayward and His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Dick Farney Existem praias tão lindas, cheias de luz Nenhuma tem o encan…
Dori Caymmi Noites febris Tempos gentis Eu já fui tão feliz Mais do que …
Dr. Beriz Chegou final de semana, partiu pro role em copa copacabana,…
Ecko Woh Yeah Ah (Mozart Muzik) Siempre fina, ella no está con c…
Edmundo Ros Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Eliane Elias Copacabana lovely place in Brazil Where every pair of eyes w…
Emilio Santiago Noites febris Tempos gentis Eu já fui tão feliz Mais do que …
F.M. Sound (Y no lo enseñan en la escuela, eh) (LaPena puta, Copacabana…
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Con queste quattro note L'estate senti già La musica è un po…
Fafá Lemos & His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Fernando Express Copa Copacabana und nur noch träumen im Sonnenschein Copa C…
Fly Project Próximo vuelo saliendo de Nueva York La fiesta no para, ella…
Francis Bay And His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
G-Mission hoje eu estou de role em Copacabana portando os grifes que…
Gambino La zine on nique tout, Copacabana Le zinc déguste le pétou T…
Gary Wilmot Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Ghetto phénomène J'vais quitter mon taudis pour Copacabana Habillé d'la tête …
Gilberto Gil Existem praias tão lindas Cheias de luz Nenhuma tem os enc…
Glee Cast Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Hamond I wanna rock right now. She said hold up, we needa…
Hans Zimmer & will.i.am Con queste quattro note L'estate senti già La musica è un po…
Helena Vondráčková Pálí,jenže ty se před ní neschováš Čím dál víc pálí…
Helena Vondrackova & studiovy orchestr Pálí, jenže ty se před ní neschováš čím dál víc pálí…
Henry Mancini his Orchestra & Chorus Oh, what a night, Late December back in sixty-three What…
Izal Antes de nada dejaremos claras Las páginas que nos importan …
Jean-Marie Ragald Dépi soley lévé sé wou mwen ka sonjé Lé ti moman…
Joe Loss & His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
John Barrowman Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
John Pinette Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Johnny Howard & His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Jovem Dionisio Fazer de novo Um belo de um violão Um copo cheio de…
Joyce Moreno Existem praias tão lindas, cheias de luz Nenhuma tem o enca…
Joyce Moreno Featuring Roberto Menescal Existem praias tão lindas, cheias de luz Nenhuma tem o encan…
Kalli Só dá rolé em Copacabana De Dolce & Gabbana Um final de…
Kassimi Yeah, yeah, eh, eh, eh Yeah, yeah, yeah, eh, eh, eh Yeah,…
Ken Turner & His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Kid Russell/Barry Manilow Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Kya Oí que andas con otra Espero que esta sea la oficial Yo…
Lasse Stefanz När nordanvinden ligger på Då fryser kropp och själ Vintermö…
Leon Machère Spüre die Sonne, das Meer Von Rio de Janeiro Komm, lass uns…
Les Reed And His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Line Renaud Elle s'appelait Lola Elle était Show Girl Avec ses plumes et…
Lissette Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Los Folkloristas Al llano allá me voy Copacabana Bailando ya me voy Copacaban…
Luis Alves Depois de trabalhar toda a semana Meu sábado não vou desperd…
M.B.S. (Miami Beat System) (Y no lo enseñan en la escuela, eh) (LaPena puta, Copacabana…
manilow Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
Marcelo Camelo Sinto copacabana por perto é o vento do mar Será que…
Marcelo Camelo [www.musikaki.blog.br] Odin: to visando grana né mês que vem tem outro som com…
Matteo Brancaleoni Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Michael Beaven and Band Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Michel Magne And His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Móveis Coloniais de Acaju Por você aprenderia Esperanto e traria Gorbatchev para…
Mr. Dan Copacabana Areia branca Bumbum pro alto De boa na canga…
Naldo Benny Acordo cedo, é tanta coisa e o morro se levanta Ouço…
Nana Caymmi Existem praias tгo lindas, cheias de luz, Nenhuma tem o enca…
Noção de Nada Ah se os bares de Copacabana Tivessem lugar pra minha banda…
Paul Mauriat And His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Ray Mcvay & His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Revlovers Show me the way to Copacabana I want to dance samba…
Rhove & Paky Eh, Copacabana, Copacabana, ah Yah-yah-yah, yah-yah-yah Eh …
Rita Lee Meu amor, boa sorte Vai sem medo, sem destino certo Espero q…
Rob Starr & The Hollywood Singers and Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Roman Frankl Kto z nas nie marzy O wielkiej plaży O krótkich nocach długi…
Romantic Strings & Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Salomé de Bahia copacabana charme ao luar ao som do mar só faz sonhar so…
Sarah Vaughan Copacabana lovely place in Brazil Where every pair of eyes …
SENSI-ONE Con queste quattro note L'estate senti già La musica è un po…
Severino Filho and His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Silmarils It seems that I have to declare That I? m back…
souf Je crois que je dois m'en aller Je me tire…
Sten & Stanley Hon hette Lola. Hon dansa' solo. Med gula fjädrar i sitt hår…
Sydney Thompson & His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
Sylvia Vrethammar Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
The Brighouse And Rastrick Brass Band Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
The Columbia Ballroom Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
The Faded Estou vivendo pra cidade Estou vivendo com o coração pela me…
the starlite orchestra & singers Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow feathers…
The Van Houtens My friends are going to Copacabana io resto qui perciò dico …
Two Man Sound Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer Miscellaneous Man of Misfort…
Various Artists Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl. With yellow feathers …
vhsgus And the sun was setting on the east But she was…
Will Hedgecock Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…
will.i.am Con queste quattro note L'estate senti già La musica è un po…
Xavier Cugat & His Orchestra Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl With yellow…

We have lyrics for these tracks by Franck Pourcel:

Aranjuez Mon Amour Hava naguila, hava naguila, hava naguila, venishmecha Hava n…
Avec Avec ce soleil on avait envie de ne pas parler De…
C Here am I with you in a world of blue And…
Casino blues CASINO BLUES Le casino a fermé ses portes Car l’été est fin…
Chariot Chariot, Chariot, si tu veux de moi Pour t'accompagner au b…
Chiens perdus sans collier Petit garçon perdu S'en allait tout le long des rues A chaqu…
Close to You Why do birds suddenly appear Every time you are near? Just…
Cry Me A River Now you say you're lonely You cried the whole night through …
C´est magnifique Here am I with you in a world of blue And…
El Amor Es Trsite Tu, yo, la luna, el sol. Ella, él, la rosa, el clavel . Prim…
El dia que me quieras Acaricia mi sueño El suave murmullo de tu suspirar Como ríe …
Eleanor Rigby Ah look at all the lonely people Ah look at all…
Eso Es El Amor Tu, yo, la luna, el sol. Ella, él, la rosa, el clavel . Prim…
Franck Pourcel Douce nuit, sainte nuit, tout est calme plus de bruit C'est…
Friends Aha, yeah, yeah In a world of, larger moves, new cars…
Gelsomina Dans une roulotte Sur le grand chemin Une enfant Entre ses m…
I I've got you under my skin. I've got you deep in…
Il Le monde change Comme c'est étrange Nous avons vu un capitai…
Jesus Que Ma Joie Demeure Jesus, bleibet meine Freude, Meines Herzens Trost und Saft, …
L' Enfant Roi Courant pieds nus sur le pavé brûlant Du rire dans ses…
L'Avventura C'est la musique Qui nous fait vivre tous les deux Et l'on…
La la la La Maladona…
Laura You know the feeling of something half remembered Of somethi…
Mon amour Hava naguila, hava naguila, hava naguila, venishmecha Hava n…
Mona Lisa Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you You're so like…
Only You Only you can do make all this world seem right Only…
Orfeu Negro Chanter par Gloria Lasso Matin, fais lever le soleil Mat…
September in the rain I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain What…
She's A Lady Never could believe the things you do to me, Never could…
Singin I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain What…
Singin' In The Rain I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain What…
To live with you You only live twice, or so it seems One life for…
Un Banc Un Arbre Une Rue On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue Où…
Une belle histoire Chanson instrumentale…
Vivre Avec Toi Avec des mots étranges Mêlés à notre amour Avec le même écha…

You Only Live Twice You only live twice, or so it seems One life for…

The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos

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