What name comes up more in the topic of French music than Edith Piaf? Many cultured musicians would answer: none. Born Edith Giovanna Gassion, this Parisian rose would eventually become known as “La Môme Piaf” or “little sparrow” in Parisian slang. This nickname of sorts would be oh so fitting for a petite songstress. Sadly, Edith would eventually become addicted to morphine and die on October 10th 1963 at the tender age of 48. Her music would live on for many years though. The 2007 recipient of the Academy Award for best actress, Marion Cotillard, well deserved it portraying Edith in the acclaimed film “La Vie En Rose” which, if you have not yet done so, you must watch. No French singer will ever surpass the sheer emotion Edith put into her music, and she will be remembered forever.
The lyrics of this emotional song tell of a woman being carried around by a crowd when she crashes into a man, falls in love. And then just as quickly the crowd tears them apart, never to see each other again. Perfect stuff for Edith Piaf!
This emotional song cum hymn is a plea to God to keep alive a loved one for just a few more days or months so that memories can be built. There is much in this song which bears a striking resemblance to aspects of Edith’s life.
This song should be familiar to most people – it is originally a French folk song brought to international acclaim by Piaf and later re-recorded by many other artists. This is a song about a big-time Parisian hustler who eventually gets arrested, so the usual English title is misleading, making it sound as if the song had been intended to extol the virtues or merry nature of the Parisian poor.
This Swiss written song was one of the most popular of Piaf’s songs, and it was the introductory song used in her US tour of 1945/1946. She toured with the male singing group compagnons de la chanson who are also seen in this clip.
During Edith Piaf’s rise to fame the French-Algerian conflict was occurring in Northern Africa. This dreary ballad to a young handsome legionnaire or “member of the French legion” defines Edith Piaf’s constant struggle to find true love.
A salute to all of Edith Piaf’s years spent in Paris. This title is a double entendre. Firstly it primarily refers to her home city, where she often longs to be, and loves most in her heart. Secondly, some interpret it to be onomatopoeia of the grueling life of a celebrity. Constantly working and traveling, life never ends leaving the repetitive “Padam, padam, padam, padam” running through your head never ending.
Raised in a brothel, Edith Piaf immediately learned some of the darkest lessons in life. Milord addresses the story of a common prostitute yearning to be loved by a British “Lord”, yet never prevailing in her dreams. What inspired Edith to write such a depressing tale? The world will never know.
Edith Piaf would wed Théo Sarapo in one of her last years, but no man would ever rival her first true love, heavyweight boxer Marcel Cerdan. Legend has it that this solemn hymn was written by Edith Piaf for Marcel after his death as one last display of love.
Often known as “Edith Piaf’s Last Lament” this salute to all of Edith’s mistakes and misfortunes defines her positive attitude on life. Determined never to perform again in one of her last years, Charles Dumont convinced Edith Piaf to perform one last time through writing this passionate summary of her life. 2 years later Edith Piaf would pass away having “nothing to regret.”
Perhaps no other song has ever gained the recognition and association that this one has with France. Although Edith’s last days were more like “La Vie En Noir”. This anthem of giddy French living possessed a certain warm quality all Americans were striving for during the crazy ‘60s. Edith Piaf will never be forgotten. But should her music ever drift away into the halls of time, La Vie En Rose will forever live on in the hearts of Frenchmen and Englishmen alike.
Contributor: JC123
i love her so much!! MERCI BEAUCOUP!!!
I didn’t know Edith Piaf was addicted to morphine, how sad
. But what beautiful songs!
*snore*
JC123: Beautiful!
I first heard many of these about 30 years ago, and have never tired of them.
I’ve not seen many of these videos of the little sparrow, and I’m grateful that you’ve tracked them down and put this list together.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
poep
nick: clearly you have great taste.
JC123:
Imagine my surprise upon opening List Universe this morning and seeing this list… or… well, you don’t know me, so you can’t imagine my surprise. Just imagine somebody really surprised.
An ex-girlfriend of mine, from the UK, introduced me to Edith Piaf’s music many years ago (along with Jacques Brel and some others) and I’ve loved her music ever since. (Better than Brel’s, I think). Excellent list, and superb choices.
Randall: I thought of you when I posted this list – how right I was to do so
nice list!
“interupting ingnorant american” -who?
Wonderful list! What a pleasant treat to wake-up to. My parents were in France at the time of her death. The entire country went into mourning and her funeral shut down Paris. An amazing woman.
i thought hymne a l’amour would be number one. but i really did expect seeing No regrets, and la vie en rose at the top three.
my personal favorite is hymne a l’amour because in the movie, when it was sung, i actually cried. hahaha… marcel…
I love Edith Piaf. One of my favorites is Comme Moi. My French is too poor to even attempt to summarize it. I believe it is about a fantasy/memory of love but then again it could be about her planning what to cook for dinner – as I said, my French is pretty poor!
My brother was pleased to note that his Blockbuster video store had “La Vie En Rose” properly alphabetized under “V” for Vie rather than the “L” for La. He decided that the store must have decided that those people who were actually looking for that movie particularly were likely to be the same ones who would know that “La” meant “The”!
How do you like your French wine, sir? Rude, obnoxious, arrogant and ungrateful, of course!
okay? whats next? 10 best bird tweets? 10 best toenail sizes?
WOW!
Thank you, Jamie!
Edith Piaf had one of the purest voices ever to grace this poor earth. She is on my short-list of women whose recordings I shall always cherish.
Edith Piaf! I fell in love with her during my third year French class when I had to translate a skad of her songs. Non Je ne Regrette Rien is one of my favourites, and the first song of hers I ever listened to. Excellent, excellent list!
jfrater:
You’ve gotten to know me pretty well after a year of this, haven’t you?
Cool list!
Randall & jfrater: should we leave you two alone for a while?
Ah Edith, j’aime elle… Awesome!
I learned something new today.
I had never heard of Edith Piaf before. Since I don’t speak french it would not have meant as much without the little synopsis of the song. Thank you for taking the time to add those.
And would you others who didn’t think the list was your cup of tea, grow up a little. I am starting to understand why other countries think Americans are rude and egotistical. A non American list? You mean I might learn something about another culture? I will stand for none of this. *Stomps off to pout in the corner.* Get over it.
David (#15)
I think a list of best bird tweets would be cool.
Hurry and write it.
April March is fun but of course not nearly as “cultured”.
WHO THE F CARES?????
She kind of reminds me of Judy Garland later in life with her looks and some of her mannerisms’.
Plus they both had addictions and died way too soon
GREAT LIST
I first heard about Edith Piaf when Kevyn Aucoin, a most fantastic makeup artist, made over Christina Ricci to look like Edith in his book Face Forward.
http://llwyd.tripod.com/likeness/piaf.htm
Still…I never looked up her music, then when La Vie en Rose came out I thought “Oh yeah I need to listen to her music” still…never did (I also need to see the movie)
And now this list is here today and I had no excuse and I am definitely entranced. Her voice is beautiful and I forget how much I love the French language.
Oh yeah and I thought I’d never heard any of her stuff before but of course now I realize I know La Vie en Rose!
Sorry for the epic…anyway I’m quite surprised by how many people disliked this list.
lame list.
Thiseth listeth doeth sucketh. Bigeth. I don’t suppose the majority of people who visit this site are fans of French singers. Who sing in French. Or sang. Whatever.
Thou art more cultured than I.
If you don’t like what the list is about why comment? Commenting on a poorly done list is one thing (you will never see around here), but commenting on a list because you don’t like what its about is another.
Cool list, I’d never heard of her before though, but I requested some cds from the library, we’ll see if I fall in love in a few days!
This list was great. I’m in the library so I had to listen very softly. Will play them again later at home. Beautiful voice.
Kowzilla (22) You’re from Tennessee. You should do the list on Best Bird Tweets.
Wow, she’s brilliant! I learned a bit about her through my years of taking French through middle school and high school but never actually got around to listening to her music. I wish I had done so sooner!
I knew “Hymne a L’Amour” but only because Josh Groban covered it on his “Closer” album.
I’m all for freedom of speech but why waste your time commenting on a list just because you don’t like the topic? I could see if it was a truly poorly written list (which is a rarity on this site anyway) or if it was offensive (another rarity) but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this list except that perhaps it is written on a topic in which some people might not be interested. Boo hoo!
We need more lists like this, let’s give everyone some culture and education!
My dad LOVES her and I grew up listening to some of these. Thanks for the trip down memory lane
Beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. Tragic.
Je ni parle ni ecoute les chansons francais, mais j’aime cette liste parce que je peux apprecier la musique et Edith Piaf etait une chanteuse iconique.
Si vous pouvez comprendre ce que j’ai erit, bien pour vous
I feel so cultured already!
Something I’ve noticed on the lists which require a bit more thinking than others is this… there’s no way to say this without sounding as if I feel like I’m somehow smarter or better than others, which *ISN’T* the case at all…a lot of people complain. They make negative remarks about the list: “lame list”, *snore*, okay? whats next? 10 best bird tweets? 10 best toenail sizes?, WHO THE F CARES?????.
But give these same people a list of non-existent rock bands and they have plenty of positive things to say, yet the posters who loved *this* list weren’t making derogatory comments over on that list.
What I’m trying to get at is simply let each of us enjoy our own type of list.
Debate the hell out of them, yes, but the above comment examples don’t invite debate.
Thats all. I’m done.
Very interesting. I will have to take time to listen to her. Thanks for the French song lesson. I am always willing to learn new things. Sorry some people cant understand a different view on things.
Oh ho hooo! Mercy buckets!
I had forgotten her name, but not the music. Would have been great for someone to include the Anglified lyrics for us poor sotts who don’t speak the longwazh uv luvv!
Wonderful list! I love Edith Piaf. I’m so glad to see a list dedicated to her music.
Though she is not my favorite old french singer, i would have put in this list “mon amant de Saint-Jean” (my love from Saint-Jean) and “sous le ciel de Paris” (under the sky of Paris).
But you’re damn right about Milord.
Seems we’re really polarizing again. Seems we’ve shaken the wine cask up and the dregs have settled at the bottom yet.
I can’t listen at this point, but I have no qualms listening to music in other languages. I would prefer to listen to them in their native languages- so many nuances lost in translation.
WHO THE F CARES????? I care, so ***** you.
Writing this list I didn’t expect very many people to appreciate or even listen to her music, let alone have it published. Although not everyone like it I’m glad it has brought around an old love for some of you, and a new passion for others.
segue: I couldn’t say it any better.
nick, david, crispin, and lucy: Clearly you have a distance to grow before you become half the person Edith Piaf was.
jfrater: Thank you so much for publishing this list! I’m glad so many people got to understand the sheer beauty of Edith Piaf, and I hope some of the doubtfuls will eventually come over to our side. You are clearly one of the most cultured people on this side of the universe!
Vive Edith!
segue:
I sympathize. But the fact is as you poke around on the ‘net on various sites (for years as I have done, and maybe you have too) you notice that there are an awful lot of people out there (most of them, I suspect, are kids or at most 20-somethings) who are simply bored or otherwise unfulfilled in the moment, and want to throw something out there and take any opportunity to do so. I’ve come to ignore them most of the time as inconsequential, as long as what they have to “say” is limited to things like “this list sucks” and such. Of course if they get into actually forming sentences and making salient points, them sometimes it’s worth a response.
But you’ll notice too that the little attacks on lists like this one are a small version of a larger and very old phenomenon…. namely, when a small group–usually to some extent an educated elite, with perceptions and tastes that are more highbrow, we’ll say, than the crowd–has its “artistic choices” placed “out there” for all to see–there’s oftentimes a hostile reaction by those outside the group… the psychological basis of which is resentment. People don’t like feeling like there’s something they “don’t get” when other people do “get it”–and that the implication in this is that they who “don’t get it” are dumber or less cultured or less civilized than those that do. It breeds anger and resentment and then out comes the hostility. It’s particularly acute when there seems to be something elitist about it–hence the resentment of peasants for the artistic tastes of aristocrats, and why during peasants’ revolts and political revolutions, it’s often true that the mob will attack and destroy artifices and objects that seem to symbolize the taste and perceptions of the higher-ups. It’s not only that these structures and artistic objects are connected to the despised elite by association and ownership–it’s also that they symbolize, to the peasant, his or her own inferiority and lower status. Only of course they don’t think it through like that–they simply hate the beautiful objects or buildings.
This explains the destruction of so many works of art at the hands of the mob over the centuries, going all the way back (and probably much further) to the ruin of the Alexandrian Library.
Of course it’s trivial to compare the destruction of beautiful objects and great buildings to the hostility of a few kids on the internet to a list of Edith Piaf songs… particularly when in real terms there’s nothing greatly “elitist” about Edith Piaf–she was essentially a pop singer–but I think it’s a very similar principle at work. Lots of people are uncomfortable with what they don’t know and don’t have the inclination to understand or appreciate.
It’s the kind of thing you just shrug off. But what I do find sad in it is… well, two things really: 1) that attitude of hostility costs the rest of us in access to good things. In an economic/business system where the lowest common denominator rules, the mass gets its way and those few who want a little bit more often have to miss out. It’s an argument for why the arts need to be subsidized better in this country. 2) That so many people make the knee-jerk choice to reject what in fact they may like or come to appreciate, if they only gave it a chance. The one thing you learn about art and music as you get older is that there’s very little of it that you can’t get some kind of a handle on. Much of it–no, not all probably, but much of it–has beauty or qualities all its own, and they can be heard and found if given the chance. It’s too bad more people don’t want to make the effort, and freeze themselves in a position of taste and perception that remains largely unchanged all their lives.
I,ve heard #8 before thats about it.A very beautiful voice.I,ve heard her name before but didnt know who she was. Guess i learned something new today
I was making derogatory comments towards certain veiwpoints and people on the other list, not the list itself. It actually finally turns into a music debate around comment 440ish. However, I did love this list. I knew most of these songs, as a matter of fact, and have two or three of them on my ipod. So I’m an enigma I guess. I just think it’s stupid to pigeonhole people- a lot of them can shock you if you do that.
thanks so much for posting this! she was such a talented human being. too bad she led a very tragic life, i wish we could’ve held on to her a little longer.
Randall I admire every single word in your argument although I would have to disagree with your statement about kids being the rowdy ones. I myself being a 13 year old have many friends who adore Edith Piaf in her music although I understand what you’re saying. If a video of Edith Piaf was ever shown at an assembly the large majority of students would either start talking out of “boredom” or boo the projectionist for putting on such “boring music”. But this is simple because of what you said about fear of the unknown. If perhaps they waited a couple of minutes for the catchy chorus of “Milord” to come around they would be astounded by the beauty of this old diamond.
Music, which is meant to be a universal language has sadly drifted into regional sects in certain areas of the world, especially America. Sitarists playing at our talent shows are laughed at, Panpipe players on videos about the ancient Maya are often mocked, and even traditional American tunes such as the Erie C***** played in music class are often met with a skeptic chuckle from a few of the students. Hopefully, negative commenters will eventually learn to appreciate beautiful music (from all around the world)like you Randall. That will be the day
and by the way JC123, when i entered the site and saw the name of the list i honestly yelped with joy. lately, i’m sorry to say, the lists haven’t been to my liking- not that they’re not interesting in themselves.
after hearing such rave reviews about her music today, i can’t wait to go home and download some songs! (work blocked the youtube function). i have always been in love with the songs that exhibit true genuine emotion and cut right to the heart of you, not the ones that display a propensity for narcissism and fruitless attempts to become wealthy. i understand a little french (***** is merde
) and should be able to catch the basics of the songs. thanks for the great list, hopefully i’ll find as much beauty in it as everyone else (sans the bird tweeters… random).
dirtyrocker:
interesting fact: Merde does mean *****, however it’s also the equivalent of “break a leg” to dancers. I used to have a teacher that would say merde to us before shows and I thought that was the only meaning for years. I was a little embarassed to find out I had been cussing out french speakers for years….
wonderful songs… and my grand mom’s favs
Is it psbl to download using Realplayer 11?
****
41. Randall
I sympathize. But the fact is as you poke around on the ‘net on various sites (for years as I have done, and maybe you have too) you notice that there are an awful lot of people out there (most of them, I suspect, are kids or at most 20-somethings) who are simply bored…
****
I know, Randall. I’ve been poking about on the net since ’82. I think I just hit some kind of psychic wall this morning.
After I posted I went through all of the arguments you presented above, myself, and yet I came damn near just walking away. Right now, as I type this, I can feel that prickling of tears welling up behind my eyes…and it’s all just so stupid. Just a bunch of bored kids with nothing more interesting to do.
It’s been a bad couple of weeks. I just let myself get overwhelmed. At least the author of the List appreciated my remarks, and that makes me feel better.
How did you and I escape? How did Vera Lynn escape? Spanner’s a Brit, they’re pretty much forced to, but he would have anyway. No question!
My kids escaped that mind-set…well, truth to tell, they never had it.
Your point is valid. One I have believed in, and lived by, my entire life. I’m truly sad for the ones who refuse to open themselves up to the world of new ideas and experiences…to remain trapped inside the mind of an adolescent forever must be horrid.
callie:
that’s hilarious!!! oh i can imagine the shock. i can just see some innocent bilingual bystander suddenly hearing, “*****, break a leg!” from a bunch of 13 year old ballerinas… epic.
freedom of speech segue… freedom of speech.
Sounds like that entire rant was directed at me. Could you be any more condescending? Thanks for proving that you’re above everyone else. Well, at least in your mind anyways. And that’s what counts right?
Anyways… I, being a fan of all types of music, find this music very beautiful, never heard it before.
Wonderful list! I love Edith!
Although, I would have included L’Accordeoniste
somebody: very true indeed! one of the downfalls of writing a list about Edith is the amount of wonderful repertoire she has!
I am really shocked at how many people are opposed to this list – seriously – why? The list about Johnny Cash did very well – is this hatred because of a disliking for the French people? I would hope that people reading this site wouldn’t be so shallow!
Although there are only 7 negative comments, I too am surprised that there are any. What could possibly be wrong with showcasing one of the great voices of the 20th century? What could possibly be wrong with learning something you didn’t know?
Romerozombie; you should quit the knee-jerk reaction whenever something doesn’t agree with your narrow tastes. My mom is the most down to earth, farting, swearing woman you could meet and she loves Edith Piaf. You should shut-up some and listen; you never know when something you might like may come along. To cut-off something just because you believe it to be the purvey of the privileged is *****ing stupid.
education must make them balk with fear. God forgid having to fire up those synapses.
booooooooooooooooooring
segue:
“I’ve been poking about on the net since ‘82.”
1982, wow that was before NFSNet!
You must really be an old fellow. I was sure that I pre-dated most of the people here, working with one of the first search engines (archie) in the early 90′s, after having written a basic ftp system a few years earlier.
For non-geeks: The first ‘public’ web browser was developed in 1993, a university project funded by The Communication Act of 1991 – the bill was introduced and sponsored by Sen. Al Gore. So for the trivia buffs that have read this far – While it was alway obvious that Al Gore did not ‘invent the internet’, it is true that his namesake bill funded some of the critical early stages of its development.