Happy Bastille Day!
Or Joyeux Quatorze Juillet, to all of our French friends.
For those of you unfamiliar with the celebration, today is French Independence Day. It is the 220th anniversary of the storming of the Bastille by the citizens of France, who had grown disillusioned with the rule of Louis XVI (though technically, it’s the celebration of the celebration of the year after). It’s the equivalent of our July 4th celebrations, and much like our holiday, the French often celebrate with parades & fireworks. And actually, there are a number of US cities that have notorious Bastille day celebrations, such as San Francisco, New York & New Orleans (obviously).
History aside, I thought it might provide an opportunity to share some of my favorite songs by French artists. I’m something of a Francophile, especially when it comes to music from the 60s/70s.
Franoise Hardy – Va pas prendre un tambour
France Gall – Avant la bagarre
Serge Gainsbourg – Le talkie-walkie
Petula Clark – French Pop, Un Jeune Homme Bien (A Well Respected Man)
Bigitte Bardot – Harley Davidson
Tags: brigitte bardot, carla bruni, charlotte gainsbourg, edith piaf, france gall, francoise hardy, petula clark, serge gainsbourg, stereolab, sylvie vartan
