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.

Vivre Avec Toi
Franck Pourcel Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Avec des mots étranges
Mêlés à notre amour
Avec le même échange
Des joies qui nous entourent
Avec des yeux qui changent
De reflets nuit et jour
Vivre je veux vivre avec toi
Avoir le même empire

Ou les mêmes malheurs
Échangeant des sourires
Ou confondant nos pleurs
Mais partageant le pire
Comme on fait du meilleur
Vivre je veux vivre avec toi
Mêler nos idées
Nos deux cœurs, et nos voix, mon amour
Avoir un seul nom
Un seul sang, un seul toit pour toujours
Avec l'unique envie
D'avoir un seul destin
Et les mêmes folies
Dans ton cœur et le mien
Et traverser la vie
En se tenant la main
Vivre je veux vivre avec toi
Puisque mes jours
Dépourvus de bonheur
Se délivrent
Et s'enivrent
À l'approche de ton cœur
Puisque l'amour
Est vivant de chaleur

Et qu'il crie sa joie
Je veux vivre avec toi

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are from the song "Vivre Avec Toi" by Franck Pourcel. The song expresses a deep desire to live and share life with a loved one. The words convey a sense of unity, exchange, and a shared journey through both the joys and challenges of life.

The first verse talks about strange words being mixed with their love. This could refer to the unique language of love and the special way they communicate with each other. The mention of changing eyes could symbolize the evolving emotions and reflections they have for each other, whether it be during the day or at night. The repeated phrase "Vivre je veux vivre avec toi" emphasizes the strong desire to live life together, celebrating the surrounding joys.

The second verse speaks about having the same empire or sharing the same misfortunes. This suggests a willingness to experience life's ups and downs as a unified force. The exchange of smiles or tears and sharing both the worst and the best moments illustrates a deep emotional connection. The line "Mais partageant le pire, comme on fait du meilleur" highlights the commitment to supporting each other through the worst and cherishing the best moments.

The third verse emphasizes the desire to merge their ideas, hearts, and voices. They long for a shared identity, a single name, bloodline, and home for eternity. The lyrics express a strong yearning for a shared destiny and the willingness to embark on life's journey together, embracing both sanity and madness. The line "Et traverser la vie en se tenant la main" portrays a strong image of holding hands and facing life's challenges united.

The final part of the song emphasizes the impact their love has on the singer's life. The days devoid of happiness find solace and intoxication upon the approach of their loved one's heart. The vibrant warmth and joy that love brings is celebrated with the line "Puisque l'amour est vivant de chaleur et qu'il crie sa joie." The song concludes with the affirmation "Je veux vivre avec toi," expressing the singer's unwavering desire to live with their beloved.

Line by Line Meaning

Avec des mots étranges
With strange words

Mêlés à notre amour
Mixed with our love

Avec le même échange
With the same exchange

Des joies qui nous entourent
Of the joys that surround us

Avec des yeux qui changent
With eyes that change

De reflets nuit et jour
With reflections night and day

Vivre je veux vivre avec toi
I want to live, I want to live with you

Avoir le même empire
To have the same empire

Ou les mêmes malheurs
Or the same misfortunes

Échangeant des sourires
Exchanging smiles

Ou confondant nos pleurs
Or confusing our tears