It’s summer time!

And what would summer be without a list of top songs to play during your holiday in the sun??

That is why I have made a list of 20 French songs I enjoy, from 20 different French-speaking artists. Ten male singers and ten female singers.

I hope you will discover some artists you enjoy listening to, and that this will encourage you to listen to French Music more often.

Read here why listening to music during language learning is essential.

Are you ready?

Here it is! The list is in no particular order.

Male Singers

#1 Stromae – Papaoutai

This song only makes sense when you know the history of the singer. He escaped from the Rwandan genocide with his mother and siblings by going to Belgium. His father intended to join them there later but, tragically, he never made it. The title of this song is “Dad, where are you?” (Papa, où t’es?).

I didn’t choose the original clip to the song because I find it a little creepy.

The name Stromae is a word in Verlan (which is inverted French) and means Maestro (Mae-Stro = Stro-Mae).

#2 Julien Doré – Le Lac

#3 Florent Pagny – Savoir Aimer

Florent Pagny is one of the great figures of French Music. I like how he “translates” his song into sign language here. The song is about giving just for the sake of it, without expecting anything back in return.

#4 Grand Corps Malade – Les Voyages en Train

Fabien Marsaud had a future in basketball ahead of him, when a swimming accident made his legs partially lame. Hence his artist name Grand Corps Malade (Big Ill Body) He then turned to music and is known as one of France’s best slam poets/singers.

#5 Francis Cabrel – Je l’Aime à Mourir

#6 Jean-Jacques Goldman – Les choses

Jean-Jacques Goldman is one of the greatest figures of French Music. He has also written many songs for other artists, including Céline Dion. In this song, he attacks materialism using sarcasm.

#7 Garou – Je n’attendais que vous

#8 Christophe Maé – La Parisienne

#9 Fréro Delavega – Mon Petit Pays

#10 Mika – Elle Me Dit

Female Singers

#11 Natasha St-Pier – Tu Trouveras

#12 Amel Bent – Le Droit à l’Erreur

#13 Hélène Ségara – Rien n’est comme avant 

#14 Louane – Maman

I have a high respect for this 20 year old girl who took part in The Voice France in 2013. She lost her father three months before the show and then lost her mother a year later, in 2014. Yet nothing stopped her from pursuing her dream and her calling. If you think your life is hard, think again.

#15 Coeur de Pirate – Mistral Gagnant

#16 TAL – Je prends le large

#17 Zaz – Sous le ciel de Paris

#18 Shy’m – Tourne

#19 Céline Dion – On s’est aimé à cause

This song is about the journey of love, starting to love because of the other’s qualities, then loving them despite their weaknesses and finally loving them because of their weaknesses. A great message for today’s consumer-oriented love mentality.

#20 Lara Fabian – Je suis malade

So, I hope you enjoyed my little selection – let me know which you like best! Are there any other French songs or singers that you really enjoy?

Now you are all ready to officially go to a Karaoke in Paris (or another French-speaking city!) and sing your first French song in public!

I dare you.

Have a great summer! ;P

Lisiane