SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY THROUGH FRENCH SONGS

Coordinator: Christine Luneau-Lipton

Songs accurately reflect the feelings and thoughts of the people who make them a success, and what is known as La Chanson Française is no exception. This study group focuses on the vibrant French popular song tradition from the 19th century music halls up to present day social media favorites. The songs are grouped by themes, and we profile such singers and songwriters as Trenet, Barbara, Brel, Piaf, Hallyday, Gainsbourg and Hardy. We link the songs to French culture, and we compare French singers and songs with American classics. Knowledge of French is of course helpful but not necessary. Transcription of the lyrics and English translation of the songs are provided.

Readings: In advance of each session's discussion, links to some songs and a brief presentation of the interpreters are e-mailed. There is no coursepack.

Christine Luneau-Lipton taught French at the New School from 1969 until 2014 and was Director of the Undergraduate Foreign language program for eight years. She co-wrote Berlitz language manuals and was the female voice on their French tapes. This is her first study group.

* * * * * * * * Syllabus - A Work in Progress * * * * * * * *

Week 1: + Aristide Bruant + Charles Trenet Questions. Do realistic or romantic images of Paris strike us more? Does the city have a gender? If so why? How do American cities like New York and San Francisco appear in song?

Week 2: Father, Mother, Family (1) + Gilbert Bécaud + Questions: What feelings do people have about their fathers in these French songs? How important is their presence or absence? Can you recognize a difference between father and mother memories?

Week 3: Father, Mother, Family (2) + Claude Nougaro + Barbara Questions: Do these songs indicate a different role for family or kinship ties in than in America? Does the strong concept of “blood relative” used in US country music exist in French songs? What roles do different members of the family (uncle, grandmother, etc.) play?

Week 4: Childhood, school, vacations + Jacques Brel + Yves Montand

Week 5: Falling in love, being in love + Edith Piaf + Johnny Hallyday

Week 6: Sexuality, homosexuality + Serge Gainsbourg

Week 7: Professions/occupations +

Week 8: Society / politics (1) + Léo Ferré + Renaud

Week 9: Society / politics (2) + Jean-Jacques Goldman

Week 10: Growing apart, breaking up + Claude François+ Serge Lama

Week 11: Yesterday and today + Françoise Hardy

Week 12: Depression / happiness