Does "chanson" refer to a specific style of music?

Chansons means song in French. Just like the very charming names such as L'Oreal, Montagut and Chanel, the Chinese homophony of Chansons is also full of French romantic atmosphere - "Chanson"

Among the popular songs from all over the world, there are very few that pay as much attention to the description of artistic conception in lyrics as French chanson.

Speaking of "Chanson", most people's minds will immediately think of songs such as "Dead Leaves", "La Vie en Rose", "Sea", or "Under the Sky of Paris"... etc. melody. These are relatively old-fashioned French pop songs. They are like old yellowed photos, but they are endlessly memorable, timeless and new.

Chanson = song

In fact, the original meaning of "chanson" in French is "song". She is the general name for French secular songs and is also synonymous with French pop songs. His historical documents are both ancient and well-established.

As far as secular songs are concerned, there are single-melody music written by narrative poets and lyric poets from the 11th to 13th centuries AD, and even the art songs of the late 19th century (in French, There is no term "art song", but a direct reference to the German Lied ---- meaning song, specifically referring to the German romantic songs of Schubert Schumann and others) all belong to this category. As for French pop songs, due to the influence of traditional secular songs, they are particularly particular about the description of the artistic conception of the lyrics. The characteristics of the music are composed of narrative sections and repeated parts of the music. Its form was established around 1900, which is generally regarded as the "French Belle Epoque". Later, after the changes of time, coupled with the integration of foreign pop music elements, the colorful and unparalleled new look of French chanson was finally formed. Her formal structure and thematic description include popular songs, local ditties, ballads, love songs, elegies, fantasy, realism, literature, politics, and protest songs...etc., all of them are diverse and diverse.

The rise of "Chanson" in contemporary France

The rise of "Chanson" in contemporary France has many factors involved. The most influential ones are the popularity of the recording industry and communication, as well as the invention of sound films.

Around 1930, it was the most critical period for the development of French chanson. During that period, the most authoritative ACC Record Award in France was established. Then the famous Chanson song "Parlez-moi D'amour" sung by Lucienne Boyer won the first prize at the first ACC Recording Awards held in May 1931. , this song not only promoted the vigorous development of the French record industry, but also because of its beautiful lyrics and music, it was adapted into 14 languages ??and became popular around the world, officially unveiling the fascinating history of French "chanson".

In 1952, the Record Awards established by the French Phonographic Association also began to operate. The first winner was "Padam Padam" sung by Edith Piaf, known as the "King of Chanson".

These highly authoritative record awards have not only made many French chanson singers famous, but also promoted the prosperity of music media. As soon as a song wins an award, newspapers and radio stations will compete to report and broadcast it, making it "Chanson" has become an integral part of French people's daily life.

With the invention of sound films, the spread and development of French "chanson" has been carried forward. Many French movie theme songs have become internationally famous due to their global screening. Among them, the most classic example is the 1946 film "Les portes de la Nuit" starring the late male singer and movie star Yves Montand. In that movie, the theme song "Autumn Leaves" - Les Feuilles Mortes, sung by Uve Monton, overnight became a well-known "chanson" song. In addition, a series of movie theme songs sung by Brigitte Bardot, known as the "sex kitten" in the 1960s, also became popular after the movies were released around the world.

The influence of world music

In addition to these factors, another important factor that promoted the gradual transformation of French "chanson" is the integration of foreign pop music elements. After the 1930s, American jazz and Latin music were successively introduced to France. Then, the rock music and blues music that were popular in the 1950s and 1960s also landed in France across the sea, making the essence of modern French "chanson" also follow. There has been a change. The style of music is not only more colorful, but also full of modernity. At the same time, young and outstanding new generation singers are also emerging one after another.

Among the more famous superstars are: Salvatore Adamo, Mireille Mathieu, Sylvie Vartan, Michel Polnareff, Johnny Haller Johnny Hallyday, Claude Francois, and Serge Gainsbourg, etc. One of the most talented and influential singers is Serge Gainsbourg. His music style is romantic and sexy, yet slightly decadent. His songs often feature dreamy narration paired with strong rhythms, giving him a unique fashionable vibe. In addition to making many female stars famous, his gorgeous and visually avant-garde outfits are even more popular. He is considered to have opened the door to visual art. Until his death, his music style continued to influence the French pop music scene. trend.

After the 1980s, world music, especially African music, set off an upsurge in the French music scene along with immigrant culture, causing the form of French pop songs to undergo another revolutionary change. At the same time, because the then-ruling Mitterrand government announced the opening of the "French Sky", many small radio stations that claimed to specialize in playing a specific type of music began to be established, making the French broadcasting industry suddenly lively and full of joy. This phenomenon continues to this day and is in the ascendant. Among them, the most surprising thing is that the black "rap music" Rap has also quietly been integrated into the blood of French pop songs.

Although times are constantly changing, French "Chanson" cannot help but change its original appearance due to the injection of new blood. However, French "chanson", or French pop songs, has not lost its unique and elegant style. The old-fashioned French "chanson" is still magnificent and full of charm; while modern French pop songs, after many times of fusion with foreign elements, still have beautiful melodies in the sense of the times, and the romantic mood is still the same as in the past.

This is the unique charm of French Chanson!