It’s a tough winter for France and French music. It’s hard to lose singers you’ve grown up with. We don’t personally know them of course, but they’re part of our life. They seemed invincible and yet they’re dead. This week was France Gall’s turn. She had such a tough life. Wonderful also as she was able to realize her dreams from the young age of 16 and become a very successful singer, super dynamic always creating and being part of fun projects but in 1992 she lost the love of her life Michel Bergé, another pillar of French music, and then 5 years later she lost the 19 year old daughter she had with him. On Sunday cancer took her away, she was 70.
She became famous in the 1960’s, at the age of 16. France adored her, her energy, enthusiasm, and innocence. Then sadly, a perfectly scandalous song written by… can you guess? Serge Gainsbourg of course, stopped her career for a while. Even though she was 19, she didn’t seem to understand what she was singing, the lyrics he had written for her…
The song called “Les Sucettes” told the story of a girl who loved anise lolly pops. I’m spearing you the details, look it up if you’re curious, you’ll see that the lyrics are fairly shocking for the time! Gainsbourg clearly found it amusing but France (both the singer and the country) did not. Fans judged her harshly and turned away from her for several years. But she was already a fighter kind of woman and did not let this experience defeat her.
As always it’s hard for me to pick one song because she released so many I loved, especially the ones written by her husband Michel Bergé. Look at these 2 happy faces!
So I’m going to choose one that feels close to my heart and the way I live my life. I’m adding the French lyrics and the English translation for you to enjoy. So go on, make it your theme song for the day!
(If this video doesn’t work in your country just go to YouTube and type France Gall Résiste, something will come up!)
And here’s a newer version for the musical that was created to illustrate her life:
Résiste by France Gall & Michel Bergé – 1981
Si on t’organise une vie bien dirigée – If they organize for you a well directed life Où tu t’oublieras vite – Where you’ll forget yourself fast Si on te fait danser sur une musique sans âme – If they get you to dance on a soulless music Comme un amour qu’on quitte – Like a love that you leave Si tu réalises que ta vie n’est pas là – If you realize that your life isn’t there Que le matin tu te lèves sans savoir où tu vas – That each morning you get up without knowing where you’re going
Résiste – Resist Prouve que tu existes – Prove that you exist Cherche ton bonheur partout, va – Look for your happiness everywhere, go, Refuse ce monde égoïste – Refuse this selfish world Résiste – Resist Suis ton cœur qui insiste – Follow your heart that insists Ce monde n’est pas le tien, viens – This world is not yours, come on, Bats-toi, signe et persiste – Fight, sign and persist Résiste – Resist
Tant de libertés pour si peu de bonheur – So much freedom for so little happiness Est-ce que ça vaut la peine? – Is it worth it? Si on veut t’amener à renier tes erreurs – If they want to make you disown your mistakes C’est pas pour ça qu’on t’aime – This is not why we love you Si tu réalises que l’amour n’est pas là – If you realize that love is not there Que le soir tu te couches – That each night you go to bed Sans aucun rêve en toi – Without any dreams in you
Résiste – Resist Prouve que tu existes – Prove that you exist Cherche ton bonheur partout, va – Look for your happiness everywhere, go, Refuse ce monde égoïste – Refuse this selfish world Résiste – Resist Suis ton cœur qui insiste – Follow your heart that insists Ce monde n’est pas le tien, viens – This world is not yours, come on, Bats-toi, signe et persiste – Fight, sign and persist Résiste – Resist
Danse pour le début du monde – Dance for the beginning of the world Danse pour tous ceux qui ont peur – Dance for those who are afraid Danse pour les milliers de cœurs – Dance for the thousands of hearts Qui ont droit au bonheur – Who have a right to happiness Résiste – Resist
Résiste – Resist Prouve que tu existes – Prove that you exist Cherche ton bonheur partout, va – Look for your happiness everywhere, go, Refuse ce monde égoïste – Refuse this selfish world Résiste – Resist Suis ton cœur qui insiste – Follow your heart that insists Ce monde n’est pas le tien, viens – This world is not yours, come on, Bats-toi, signe et persiste – Fight, sign and persist Résiste – Resist
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A song we could all listen to every single morning! Merci France Gall!
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