Edith Piaf

[operathephantom]

Another musical love of mine is Edith Piaf.

I went to see her film life story yesterday 'La Vie En Rose' -it's French with English subtitles...I found it heartbreaking but it was fantastic. Still not as good as 'The Jolson Story' though, but 'The Piaf Story' IS brilliant, and I urge you to see it if you like that kind of music.

What do we all think of Piaf? My favourite recordings of hers are 'Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (No Regrets), Milord (A fantastic cover exists by Bobby Darin), and Mon Dieu....Anyone else like 'The Little Sparrow'??

Seb

[mariana44]

Sorry--not me !! I have never liked her voice at all, nor the songs she sings !!

[paul jh]

I love Edith Piaf's songs and her voice. My list of favourites (in order) are:

1. Padam Padam
2. A Quoi Ca Sert L'Amour (duet with her last husband Theo Sarapo)
3. La Foule
4. Milord
5. La Goualante Du Pavre Jean (The Poor People Of Paris)
6. La Vie En Rose
7. Hymne De L'Amour
8. Comme Moi
9. Mon Manege A Moi
10. L'Hymne A La Moto
11. Non Je Ne Regrette Rien
12. L'Accordeoniste

[operathephantom]

Very interesting list, and very glad to know someone else likes Piaf!

Track 4 however is 'The Ballad of Poor Old John' rather than the 'Poor People of Paris.'

Another favourite of mine is 'L'Accordioniste' Oh! and 'Les Amants Du Un Jour' -both quite sad...

Elaine Paige recorded an album of Piaf songs, primarily in English -worth a listen if you can get a copy!

Seb

[paul jh]

Seb - Yes, the translation of track 4 is The Ballad of Poor Old John. But the song in English became The Poor People Of Paris, a huge instrumental hit for Les Baxter in the mid-1950s. Others have recorded it and there are even English words about the poor people of Paris. I seem to recall Edith Piaf singing these English words in a video on her life, but I may be wrong.

Is Les Amants Du Un Jour the sad song about the couple in the hotel room in 3/4 time?

[operathephantom]

I've not heard Piaf's english version, but have heard quite a few songs in English by her. -Going to look for the Les Baxter version now, as I do love the song and the English line of 'But remember please: A woman hugs you tightly, but a rope can hug you too!'

Les Amants Du Un Jour IS the song about the two lovers who hire a hotel room and kill themselves as told by the hotel owner. Very sad....Paige and Piaf recorded this in English but with different translations.

Seb

[paul jh]

Seb - I think you are referring to the English translation that is The Ballad of Poor Old John. Your lyrics aren't included in the lyrics of The Poor People Of Paris:

Just got back from Paris, France
All they do is sing and dance
All they've got there is romance
What a tragedy
Every boulevard has lovers
Every lover's in a trance
The poor people of Paree

I feel sorry for the French
Every guy has got a wench
Every couple's got a bench
Kissing shamelessly
Night and day they're making music
While they're making love in French
The poor people of Paree

Milk or water from the sink
Make a true Parisian shrink
Wine is all he'll ever drink
And it worries me
For with wine as cheap as water
Oh, it makes one stop and think
The poor people of Paree

Sister met a boy named Pierre
Had the craziest affair
And the day they parted there
He cried bitterly
Pierre was there to bid her farewell
But he brought his new girl, Claire
The poor people of Paree

So don't go to Paris, France
Not unless you like to dance
Not unless you want romance
Like those poor inhabitants of Paree

You won't find these lyrics in the Les Baxter hit version; it was an instrumental with a few singers just singing la la la. I can't recall who has recorded these lyrics.

I didn't care too much for Elaine Paige's versions of the Edith Piaf songs. I prefer the Piaf songs interpreted by Mireille Mathieu (from France) and especially by Milva (from Italy).

[michduncg]

I think the 1st time I came across Edith Piadf was when Holsten Pils used footage of her edited in with clips of Steven Fry, in their 1990s 'smooth talking bar-stweard' campaign. After drinking a glass of the Holsten Pils served up by Mr Fry, she sang ''Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (No Regrets)' in a smooth and breathless style. I love the passion that she sings with, event though I am not a French speaker. 'La vie en rose' is the only other song of hers that I know to be honest

[paul jh]

Mike -- I suggest you download all the Edith Piaf songs that Seb and I have mentioned above. Or go to HMV or Virgin and purchase any of the many greatest hits compilations on sale. I'm pretty sure you'll love the songs. This is music that I play every year or every few months---especially at the time of Bastille Day, which is coming up very soon!

[Mark Fox]

Listen to hear perform'IF THE SUN SHOULD TUMBLE FROM THE SKY,IF THE SEA SHOULD SUDDENLY RUN DRY.......'Incredible!