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.
Un Banc Un Arbre Une Rue
Franck Pourcel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Où l'on a bercé nos rêves
On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue
Une enfance trop brève.
Un jour ou l'autre il faut partir
Pour se construire un avenir
Un avenir
Où l'on rend ses habits d'enfant
D'enfant
Chacun s'en va rempli d'espoir
Sur le chemin qu'il s'est choisi
Qu'il s'est choisi
Vers la richesse ou vers la gloire
Pourtant quelle que soit notre vie
Notre vie
On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue
Où l'on a bercé nos rêves
On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue
Une enfance trop brève
Chacun, dans son coin d'horizon,
Ne défend que ses ambitions
Ses ambitions
Mais si nous ne partageons rien,
Que nous reste-t-il en commun?
En commun
On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue
Où l'on a bercé nos rêves
On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue
Une enfance trop brève
The lyrics of Franck Pourcel's song "Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue" tells the story of childhood memories and the separation that comes with growing up. "On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue" is a line that translates to "We all have a bench, a tree, a street," and highlights the universal experience of reminiscing about one's past.
The opening lines, "Où l'on a bercé nos rêves," which translate to "Where we cradled our dreams," set the nostalgic tone of the song. The lyrics then proceed to acknowledge the necessity of leaving behind one's childhood home and moving towards the future. The phrase "Où l'on rend ses habits d'enfant" translates to "Where we give up our childhood clothes," symbolizing the act of shedding one's former self to embrace the inevitable transformation of adulthood.
The song's chorus repeats the idea that everyone has a "bench, a tree, a street" and a brief childhood that seems to end too soon. The lyrics also acknowledge that everyone goes their own separate ways, pursuing their individual ambitions, but reminds us to find common ground and shared experiences to hold onto.
Overall, the song speaks to the bittersweet nature of growing up and the importance of holding onto the memories and experiences that shape us.
Line by Line Meaning
On a tous un banc, un arbre, une rue
Each and every one of us has a special place in our memories - a bench, a tree, a street - where we dreamed and played.
Où l'on a bercé nos rêves
A place where we nurtured our dreams and aspirations.
Une enfance trop brève.
Unfortunately, childhood doesn't last forever and we have to leave behind our cherished memories and grow up.
Un jour ou l'autre il faut partir
As we grow older, we have to leave our childhood homes behind and start our journey towards building a better future.
Pour se construire un avenir
This journey is about creating a better future for ourselves.
Et c'est l'inoubliable instant
This moment is unforgettable and signifies a significant change in our lives.
Où l'on rend ses habits d'enfant
It's the moment where we have to let go of our childish ways and take on adult responsibilities.
Chacun s'en va rempli d'espoir
We leave home with hope in our hearts and the determination to succeed.
Sur le chemin qu'il s'est choisi
We all choose our own path in life, and we have to follow it, no matter where it leads.
Vers la richesse ou vers la gloire
Some of us aspire to be rich, some of us aspire to be famous - everyone has their own goals and aspirations.
Pourtant quelle que soit notre vie
No matter what our life may be like, we all have that special place in our hearts where we grew up and dreamed.
Chacun, dans son coin d'horizon,
As we go about our lives, we focus on our own ambitions and goals.
Ne défend que ses ambitions
We defend and protect our own dreams and aspirations.
Mais si nous ne partageons rien,
But if we don't try to understand each other, we'll never find common ground.
Que nous reste-t-il en commun?
If we can't find common ground, what do we have left?
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: JEAN-PIERRE HENRI EUGENE BOURTAYRE, YVES DESSCA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind