Customer Reviews

10 Ans De Chansons 1962-1972

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Did you know that it is Claude François who actually wrote the song "My Way" (which thus became the most played "French" song in the world) under the name "Comme d'habitude". Claude François is also the founder of disco music through his constant innovative music. He wrote unforgettable mega hits in the French speaking world such as "Cette année-là", "Alexandrie, Alexandra", "Le lundi au soleil", "Belles, Belles, Belles" or "Cest la même chanson". If you have any interest in French music, he is one of those heavyweight artist that had a profound influence in his field.

Claude was a French pop star who had a lot of success in his homeland from 1962 until his death in a road accident in 1978. This box contains (as far as I know) all his recordings for Phillips, his first record label. He was the original singer of Comme d'habitude, the song that later became famous as My way. Although there are many other original French songs (some of which also became famous after translation into English), he also translated a lot of British and American songs into French. Most of the songs are upbeat, though there is enough variation in pace throughout to keep you entertained. So, this makes ideal party music.

A far from complete list of songs with the British and American singers normally associated with them completes my review, just to provide you with a taster.

Breaking up is hard to do (Neil Sedaka)
Bachelor boy (Cliff Richard)
Language of love (John D Loudermilk)
Walk right in (Rooftop singers)
From me to you (Beatles)
How do you do it? (Gerry and the pacemakers)
If I had a hammer (Pete Seeger - also Trini Lopez - or Peter Paul and Mary)
My boyfriend's back (Angels)
I want to hold your hand (Beatles)
24 hours from Tulsa (Gene Pitney)
When you walk in the room (Searchers)
Terry (Twinkle)
Yeh, yeh (Georgie Fame)
Walk tall (Val Doonican)
I got you babe (Sonny and Cher)
Eve of destruction (Barry McGuire)
Make it easy on yourself (Walker brothers)
The marvelous toy (Tom Paxton)
Reach out I'll be there (Four tops)
Crying time (Ray Charles - or Buck Owens)
A must to avoid (Herman's hermits)
I've got a tiger by the tail (Buck Owens)
Winchester cathedral (New vaudeville band)
In the country (Cliff Richard)
There's a kind of hush (Herman's hermits - or Carpenters)
It takes two (Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston)
Baby now that I've found you (Foundations)
My way (Frank Sinatra - but Claude's version is the original)
Carrie Anne (Hollies)
Massachusetts (Bee Gees)
I was made to love her (Stevie Wonder)
My guy (Mary Wells)
Flowers in the rain (The Move)
Bend me shape me (American breed (USA), Amen Corner (UK))
Simon says (1910 Fruitgum Company)
Young Girl (Gary Puckett)
Eloise (Paul and Barry Ryan)
Little green apples (Roger Miller)
Mr businessman (Ray Stevens)
By the time I get to Phoenix (Glen Campbell)
Windmills of your mind (Noel Harrison)
Show me (Joe Tex)
Games people play (Joe South)
I'm gonna make you love me (Diana Ross, Supremes and Temptations)
Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater revival)
Sugar, sugar (Archies)
Puff the magic dragon (Peter Paul and Mary)
It's the same old song (Four tops)
Bernadette (Four tops)
Rose garden (Lynn Anderson)
Freedom come freedom go (Fortunes)
Stop! in the name of love (Diana Ross and the Supremes)
River deep mountain high (Ike and Tina Turner - or Supremes and Four tops)
You've got a friend (James Taylor)
American pie (Don McLean)
Gypsies tramps and thieves (Cher)
You keep me hanging on (Diana Ross and the Supremes)

I first heard Claude Francoise on the radio from Montreal a few years back. The song was "Il Fait Beau, Il Fait Bon," and I turned to my wife, who I believe was at the time groaning in disgust, and said "I could listen to this all day, every day, for the rest of my life." I said we needed to have it.. She said "fine."

Luckily for me, it was only available in this box set. I can't believe Claude Francoise isn't more popular in the US. He out-Sinatra's Sinatra, and with the recent popularity of Lounge music, he should be a de rigeur accessory to every leisure suit. Learn him. Love him. Live him.