57 Famous French Songs
Contents
45. “La Mer” by Charles Trenet
Song Year: 1946
The song reflects on the volatile nature of life. The singer uses water waves to symbolize how briefly we enjoy perfect moments. Then, those good moments vanish as if they were never there in the first place, just like water waves do. He explains how a single incident can alter one’s life direction forever.
46. “Sympathique” by Pink Martini
Song Year: 1997
The song is about a woman who has been hurt and negatively perceives romantic relationships. She can’t enjoy true intimacy and doesn’t consider herself refined, nice, or sweet. Life’s persistent attempts to kill her morality have taken her aback.
47. “Pour Un Infidèle” by Julien Doré & Coeur De Pirate
Song year: 2010
The song is about a man promising to be by his partner forever and plays that their relationship lasts forever. Listening to the opening part might make you think the track is a purely romantic duet. However, the song begins with the couple making affectionate compliments about one another and escalates into an argument when the other women join.
48. “Je Suis Un Homme” by Zazie
Song Year: 2006
The song is about human blunders throughout evolution. The singer critically and pessimistically assesses environmental concerns and the capitalistic system. She describes modern society as full of materialistic people who don’t have any meaningful achievements besides harming the environment in which they live.
49. “Et Alors” by SHY’M
Song Year: 2012
The song is about standing out and refusing to conform to societal norms. The singer prefers genuine experiences rather than artificial ones. She celebrates individuals who are courageous enough to pursue their ambitions without worrying whether society will judge them or not.
50. Banalité” by Jena Lee
Song Year: 2009
The song is about the fake world we live in. The singer says she’s difficult to predict because she follows her thoughts to get what she wants. Thus, she advises whoever she addresses to avoid using cliches and inconsiderate phrases when describing her.
51. “Complètement Fou” by Yelle
Song Year: 2014
The song’s protagonist loses her mind over her lover. Her heart fills with hopes that they’re going to reunite soon. She longs to be in her man’s arms and feel the warmth of their love. She can’t imagine replacing him with another man. The song has a catchy, captivating beat and exudes a happy mood.
52. “Quelque Part” by Sheryfa Luna
Song Year: 2007
The song is about a woman who longs to reunite with her lost lover. The lyrics express a yearning for companionship and the desire to find someone to fill a vacuum in her life. The singer admits to only having eyes for that one man and wants to devote all her love to him. She says he’s the only man who understands her and makes her feel special.
53. “Nouveaux Horizons” by Melissa NKonda
Song Year: 2011
The song is about welcoming change and willingness to pursue new opportunities. The protagonist appeals to become optimistic and have confidence in their abilities if they wish to overcome hurdles in life. It’s an inspiring and encouraging tune that reflects the universal need for growth and self-actualization.
54. “Juste Une Photo de Toi” by M. Pokora
Song Year: 2010
The track is about a man in pain because his partner ends their relationship abruptly. He can’t take her off his mind and regrets crossing paths with her. The song is full of emotions, with each word perfectly expressing the protagonist’s suffering as he deals with heartbreak.
55. “Sur Ma Route” by Black M
Song Year: 2014
The song describes the singer’s ambitions to accomplish his goals. His desire to succeed can’t allow him to accommodate any negative energy. The singer reflects on how friends tend to leave when someone is struggling.
He asserts that the only people you can count on are your parents. He doesn’t believe in sharing the fruits of his hard work with anybody who’s not his family.
56. “C’est La Vie” by Khaled
Song Year: 2012
The song’s message is that you can’t control what life throws at you, so you should embrace whatever comes your way. However, focusing on more pleasant activities can distract you from stress. The singer encourages listeners to find love in someone or something and just let things flow.
57. “Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore” by Céline Dion
Song Year: 1995
Written by Jean-Jacques Goldman and performed by Celine Dion, the track expresses the singer’s wish to rekindle a lost love. She sings of her pain, her desire to make things right, and her willingness to do anything to prove her love.
The song did introduce the singer to the British audience by winning extensive airplay on British radio. It remains among the few non-English tracks to top the UK Singles Chart.
Best French Songs, Final Thoughts
Music is among the best ways to familiarize oneself with a nation’s history and culture. French songs frequently feature dramatic and emotional moments, whereas the most popular ones pay tribute to specific people, places, or notable things. We hope you’ll get one or two favorites from our list of the most famous French songs.