I know a lot of people suggest watching tv series or films with the subtitles turned on to improve your french listening and comprehension skills, but have you ever considered checking out some French songs?
I know it's a little outside the box but just think about it. Listening to French musicians will train your ears to the French language sounds. Listening to French songs will introduce you to how French words are pronounced as well as the general tempo of spoken French.
Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
- Plato
By listening and singing along to French songs, you'll be able to pick up new words in context! French is a rich language. What you learn at school or use when writing is often very different from daily spoken French, that's why people, including professionals, seek out French tutors.
Let us have a look at some artists who perform in French who were recommended by my Editor (thanks Adam) to help you guys not only improve your french language skills but also expand your music library.
Listening to music performed by native French speakers is one of the best ways to absorb French pronunciation. - Image by Ashraf Chemban from Pixabay
Julien Doré
Julien Doré is a 40-year-old, French singer-songwriter, musician and actor. Doré won the fifth season of the television show Nouvelle Star, which is kind of like the French version of the Xfactor or You're a Star.
When you google Julien Doré his genres come up as Pop/folk however after listening to his greatest hits album on Youtube I can tell you right now that Coco Câline has a very electro-pop vibe and don't let it put you off the rest of the album.
There's a very pop indie vibe to this artist at times the music is similar to Luis Fonsi then other times there is more of a Hozier/Rag'n'Bone Man sound to Julien Doré's music. I give him 3.5/5.
Whether you're a beginner starting with the basics or looking to practice your reading and speaking, Apps like Babbel and Duolingo are proven to get you started on your French language journey.
Stromae
Stromae is a Belgian singer, rapper, songwriter and producer who soared to fame in the early 2010s before withdrawing from public life with depression – now he's returned with a new album. He performs all of his tracks in french and released Multitude his third album in March 2022, which is being followed by a tour through France, Belgium and the Netherlands in 2023.
You guys are literally getting these reviews as I listen to and research them. I can honestly say I was not expecting Stromae!
This guy has got all of your moods covered! I mean... it's weird but if I was to try to describe the vibes I'd say Avicii meets Eminem. I know you're laughing at me right now but honestly, we go from party and holiday vibes to some straight-up heartfelt pop/rap.
This is where he really shocked me he just wrote a French song which he sings with Camila Cabello who usually sings in Spanish. A Belgian artist of half Rwandese descent writing a French pop song in the musical style of a very traditional Congolese rumba, featuring a Cuban-American superstar singing in English I mean, my hat is off to Stromae and Mon amour is a pure bop! Stromae is a solid 4/5.
La Femme
La Femme is a French band established by guitarist Sacha Got and keyboard player Marlon Magnée in 2010. The band have a lot of influences from different musical genres including Punk, Electro, Indie and Rock.
One of the things that makes La Femme quite unique is the fact that on any track you could be listening to either female or male vocals or on occasion both. For example, songs like 'Je Plane' and 'El Tio del Padul' have male lead vocals whereas 'Sacatela' and 'Y tu te vas' have female vocals, yet 'Tu T'en Lasses' is sung with both a male and female lead.
I'm hoping I'm not the only person old enough to remember these bands but, La Femme really reminded me of No Doubt and the Scissor Sisters. It's another 3.5/5 from me.
Angèle
Angèle Van Laeken is a Belgian singer, songwriter. Angèle was one of 2018's biggest breakout acts in French and Belgian pop music, breaking Stromae's record for weeks at the top of the Belgian singles charts with her 2018 single "Tout oublier".
Angèle also has a famous musical brother, Roméo Elvis is a Belgian rapper and hip hop artist, but for right now we'll stay with his sister.
If you follow your favourite musician on a tour around France just think of all the beautiful places you could visit from Nice to Lyon.
The Belgian-born singer is currently making a splash in the French pop music scene, not only is she admired widely for her dance-pop music but also for being an outspoken feminist. In particular, her song “Balance Ton Quoi” became an anthem of France's version of the #MeToo movement, #BalanceTonPorc.
If I was to try and give you guys a reference to an English singing artist who sounds similar I would probably say Anne-Marie and Carly Rae Jepsen, they all have those softer voices and a dancing vibe musical track, yet powerful lyrics. I think I have to give Angèle a 5/5, purely because out of the artists I've listened to so far she was the first to get a song stuck in my head.
Roméo Elvis
We've already checked out the talented sister, now it's time for the older brother. Roméo Elvis hit the music scene about 5 years before his sister, but it wasn't until 2016 that his first album Morale was released. By 2022 he had released 5 albums which is pretty impressive and even featured on his sister's first single.
When I was listening to 'Drôle de question' I couldn't help but notice the similarities between this artist and the American Rock Band Cage the Elephant but also in other songs I got Cypress Spring vibes (A country-rap band from America. Honestly, Roméo might be my favourite French singing artist it's another 5/5.
I really hope that you have found some of these artists to your taste and that they help you improve your French conversational skills.
To help people better understand the lyrics, why not consider becoming a French Tutor yourself? There are so many benefits I bet you haven't even thought of yet!
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