After seeing Grindhouse, I had April March’s “Chick Habit” stuck in my head for weeks. After doing some research, I realized that March’s song was an English-language cover of a French song called “Laisse Tomber les Filles.” Apparently Serge Gainsbourg wrote it for France Gall.
Here’s an amazing music video for the original version. Thanks, YouTube!
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17 May, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Kern
Awesome post. I’m a huge fan of ye-ye girls and that whole scene in general. I’m a bit more hip to Francoise Hardy, but they’re all great.
18 May, 2007 at 12:55 am
dontquityrdayjob
I’m just starting to get into it, and I’ve always loved Serge. Any albums you can recommend?
18 May, 2007 at 10:30 am
Kern
Absolutely. First, I would say a really good one to start is Francoise Hardy’s Greatest Recordings. I did a review of it for TMT, but it’s lost in the black hole of the archives. If you’d be interested to read it, I can send you a copy.
Also, I’m digging this Brigitte Fontaine record right now called Brigitte Fontaine Est. It’s interesting because I think it’s sort of a transitional point between the decidedly girl pop flavor and more complex arrangements. I’m going to be writing about it pretty soon as well.
You might also like Sylvie Vartan and perhaps Claudine Longet. Longet wasn’t so much a part of that scene in general, but vocally she’s got kind of a similar vibe to a Jane Birkin or a Brigitte Bardot, perhaps. Plus she was married to Andy Williams, and was involved in a murder scandal involving a professional skiier whose nickname was “Spider”. So, you know, she’s got that going for her.
Are you interested mostly in ye-ye girls, or do you think you might have an affinity for French music in general? I’ve got some other stuff at home I might be able to pass along if yr interested.
19 May, 2007 at 12:43 pm
dontquityrdayjob
I’ve been meaning to listen to some Francoise Hardy. Definitely send your review if you have it handy, and I’m excited to read the Brigitte Fontaine review, too. Ubaghs and I had been thinking of doing a short French pop series on the Delorean, which I would be really excited about.
I’m pretty interested in all French music (partially because I can even understand some of it). I remember seeing a movie within the past few years in which there was talk about why there were never great French rock n roll bands (maybe it was The Dreamers?), and I’m wondering if there really never were any.
22 May, 2007 at 11:53 am
heidi vanderslice
ahhh, that’s fantastic.