Chanson

Chanson on vinyl: the song where the words count

In short: In chanson the lyrics come first: stories, wit and feeling, sung in French. Its great era came after 1945 with Édith Piaf, Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens; Serge Gainsbourg later opened it up to pop, jazz, rock and reggae. The Vinyl Room currently has 32 chanson records.

What is chanson?

Songs where you listen to what’s being sung: Belgian Jacques Brel is represented with “Ne Me Quitte Pas”, Françoise Hardy with “Françoise”.

At the centre here is the Gainsbourg family: Serge Gainsbourg with “Aux Armes Et Cætera”, recorded in Jamaica, and “Vu De L'extérieur”, Jane Birkin with “Di Doo Dah”, both together on “Jane Birkin - Serge Gainsbourg”, daughter Charlotte with “5:55” and “IRM”. Plus Vanessa Paradis with lyrics by Gainsbourg and Stromae from Brussels with “Racine Carrée”.

What to look for

Many chanson records first came out in France; label and country of release help you tell which edition you have – it’s noted with each copy.

From our stock

First pressings

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FAQ

What is chanson? The French-language song in which the lyrics come first.

Who shaped chanson? Among others Édith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Georges Brassens and later Serge Gainsbourg.

Who is Charlotte Gainsbourg? The daughter of Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, a singer and actress.

Are there more recent forms too? Yes – here, for example, Stromae from Brussels with “Racine Carrée” from 2013.