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Song

A song is a work consisting of text and a music inseparable from each other. Simple nursery rhyme a few words or different as the traditional music or folk , the classical or ethnic , the rock 'n' roll or jazz.

It can be sung a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment ), a voice ( monophonic ) or more like a choir ( polyphony ), but most often, the song is accompanied by one or several instruments ( guitar , piano , group .. .) or even a big band or a great symphony orchestra.

"Long, long after the poets have disappeared, their songs still run in the streets ..." Charles Trenet, 1951.

The creation of a song usually requires the help of two artists : the author of the lyrics ( lyricist ), the composer of the music. Their work is done at will, sometimes the melody emerging text or the text of the melody, or both simultaneously as some songwriters. Alain Souchon / Laurent Voulzy , Boris Bergman / Alain Bashung , Mylne Farmer / Laurent Boutonnat , Jacques Lanzmann / Jacques Dutronc formed duets songwriter became famous in France.

Then comes the performer ( singer or the singer ) which will give life to creation. Some, like Georges Brassens , Jacques Brel and Charles Aznavour combine the three functions and are named singer-songwriters or singers in the tradition until the early twentieth century.

Sometimes a fourth musician involved: the musical arranger , who harmonizes and gives particular color to the song by his orchestration (organization of accompanying instruments, especially when recording).

Summary

Beginnings of the French song

Present in all human activities and in all civilizations, the song was adapted to the diverse needs of men. The oldest form encountered is the sacred song, which accompanies religious ceremonies in almost all civilizations. In Europe in Middle Ages was born and the Gregorian chant , then, in the sixteenth century, during the Reformation, the hymns sung in the popular vernacular.

Almost as old are the songs of entertainment. In contrast to religious songs, usually serious and solemn, these songs are lively and rhythmic, as they are intended to be danced. Or songs written on music of rock and roll that makes you want to move.

Other songs of distraction, such as the Knight of the Round Table, will sing during meals.

But there are still other uses of the song. The need to punctuate the motions of work and better support the effort gave birth to the songs of trades.

Song incurred

For a long time until the mid-nineteenth century, the song has played the role of the newspaper: the singers were traveling from village to village, spreading through ballads, the sad stories of crime or the deeds of great generals. In times of crisis , the song turned into a weapon against the king and the government: thus, Mazarinades (directed against Cardinal Mazarin), born in Paris by the hundreds in the Fronde, or labor songs, sung in the manifestations of streets, used to spread ideas and to express the common aspirations of a group or a people. It is the same patriotic hymns such as "Marseillaise. Other songs, finally, express emotions, feelings and ideas of a more personal way. Rather than singing heart, they are intended to be heard in the halls or at home.

The French song in the twentieth century

Since the 1950s and before, we can say that there are two major trends in French music: A temptation for easy song and light, rather whimsically played by the wave yy in 1960 ( Sheila , France Gall , Antoine , Salvatore Adamo , Herv Vilard , Pascal Danel , Richard Anthony , Christopher , etc..), high-profile artists of the 1970s ( Claude Francois , Dalida , Mireille Mathieu , Sylvie Vartan , Michelle Torr , Johnny Hallyday , Carlos , etc.). and the current variety ( Garou , Gregory , Helen Segara , Alize , Amel Bent , etc..).

On the other side: the songwriters, the song brought Crowd sentimental , or simply a song more adult and more assertive artistic inclinations seems irremovable ( Charles Trenet , Boris Vian , Juliette Greco , Francis Lemarque , Serge Gainsbourg , Jacques Brel , Georges Brassens , Claude Nougaro , Leo Ferre , Barbara , Charles Aznavour , etc..), which was a new life in the 1970s ( Renaud , Francis Cabrel , Alain Souchon , Jacques Higelin , Lavilliers , Daniel Balavoine ) then in the 1980's confirmation of previous and the assertion of new artists such as Etienne Daho , Mylne Farmer , Telephone , Vanessa Paradis , etc.. to Helene Segara , Zazie , Juliet , Head Stiff , Matthieu Chedid , Jean-Louis Murat , Miossec , Mathieu Boogaerts , Dominique A and the new French scene of the 2000s, Daniel Darc , Vincent Delerm , Bnabar , Cali , Benjamin Biolay , etc.. However, there is greater fluidity and diversity of styles since the 1990s, especially with a mix and a greater opening in the rock music and a constant recycling of past patterns as disco , the funk , the new wave of the 1980s and variety lightweight style Chantal Goya , particularly under the influence of compilations, most elements of profitability for the record.

The same distinction among singers for children or young people: beside artists of great variety ( Chantal Goya , Dorothy , Henry soon , etc..), we find artists who strive to make songs (Alternative Mamemo , Jofroi , Raphy Rafael , etc..).

Increasingly popular artists trying to get some independence from the industry not hesitating to occur exclusively under their own label in order to control the entire production ( Prince in the U.S.) or sue their record label (Johnny Hallyday).

Some artists moved by big machines like Star Academy (media phenomenon of the 2000s or the first television secret itself its own singers and puts itself on the music market) then turn to a course more Classic, trying to work with authors of quality: Olivia Ruiz with Juliet or heads Stiff , Jenifer with Marc Anthony and Calogero , Vanessa Paradis with Serge Gainsbourg and Matthieu Chedid , Nolwenn Leroy with Laurent Voulzy , etc..

Apart from these hypothetical factory emissions and rare "new stars" on television the 2000s provides a less important role in the current song quality, except during the Victoires de la Musique or concerts recorded live Taratata.

The crisis Disk 2000s has resulted in the non-renewal of contract of some major names in music such as Alain Chamfort emerging or lesser known talents such as Franoiz Breut.

Industry disk

Facing the giants of the disk at the time (CBS, Sony, Phonogram, Polygram ...) the 1980s saw the emergence of many independent labels in Europe, some of which are maintained until today ... Companies such as Universal , Virgin , TF1, Fnac but Harmonia Mundi and its network of stores has become increasingly important in the music industry. The independent stores have seen their numbers decrease, substantially in France, supermarkets appropriating many market share.

At the same time radio stations tend to spend a diversity of titles less than it was in the 1990s.

The distribution and sale are now increasingly the Internet. The music market is in crisis because of the advent of digital technology and free download, technical changes that the music industry has been slow to consider.

Some see recent changes (Free download, mp3 , iTunes , podcast , etc.). a profound transformation of the uses of music consumption.

Ballad (Variety) is central to an important market whose key players gather each year at the international market for music publishing (MIDEM).

The best-selling discs give rise to different types of charts (Charts, Hit-Parade) that can be weekly, monthly, by gender, by size (single or album), country, etc.. One of the best known of these rankings is the Top 50 for France.

See: Ranking the best record sales in France

Contemporary Song

Today, the song is not only a form of natural expression, it became a real art , illustrated by authentic creators ( Charles Trenet , Lo Ferr , Georges Brassens , Jacques Brel and many others) authors , composers and performers of their own songs, and great performers like Edith Piaf , Juliette Greco famous worldwide. Finally, it has become a veritable industry. By radio , the television , and the disc, the success of the day penetrate everywhere, while the stars are moving crowds during their tour in the provinces or their galas in major halls in Paris. Behind the whole world revolves celebrities, authors , musicians , managers, directors of rooms, etc.., who lives on the song.

Singers

Some French and francophone artists

Singers langue d'oil

Songs in langue d'oc



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