Johnny Hallyday

L'Elvis français?

One of my much delayed projects since arriving in France is to get a handle on what popular (define that as you may) music ordinary French people listen to. I know from the video monitors in our gym that 90’s anglo rock is popular, as is some really excellent french hip-hop with a decidedly African bent.

Still though every single discussion of French music in North America begins and ends with three names: Edith Piaf, The Singing Nun, and Johnny Hallyday.

Quelque chose de Tennessee, from 1985 seems to pop-up at the top of the list every time. The song I believe is more about Tennessee Williams than the state that really isn’t represented in the video. I actually really like this song.

Retiens la nuit dates back to 1962, and if you ignore some the rather unusual vocal stylings, you can feel the American influences even then. Especially about half way through when it suddenly goes all Elvis.

Noir C'est Noir is a cover of Black is Black, which was allegedly “the #82 song in 1967 in the Brazil charts.” Nonetheless, it’s a great song, and after spending much of yesterday revisiting Beyonce’s Lemonade album, the dancers are really refreshing.

Johnny was still performing up to a few years ago, although as seems to be the case with everyone except Keith Richards, I find myself thinking that I’d rather watch his old videos. This though is from the Quebec version of Star Académie, and is kind of cool. Vive le Québec indeed!

Johnny’s last album seems to have been a return to his early rock and roll roots. Mon pays, c'est l'amour indeed…

Goodbye Johnny…