WHY BASHUNG IN ENGLISH?

On March 14, 2009, the world lost a great artist, Alain Bashung, a musician and singer many in France call "the last of the greats". Unfortunately, his name was known only to the French, Swiss, and Belgians and a few other French speakers and music lovers.

Bashung revolutionized the world of French rock 'n' roll and chanson with his experimental compositions and poetic texts. He was 61 when he died after a struggle with cancer; yet, in a story as heroic as they come, he toured until several weeks before his death, touching and thrilling his fans night after night and doing what he loved best: making great music with his friends.

In January, 2009, Bashung became a "chevalier" of the "légion d'honneur" (the French version of knighthood). Then, on February 28, 2009, in his last public appearance, he won three Victoires de la musique. (French Grammies) for "Best Male Singer", "Best Concert" and "Best Album" of the year (Blue Pétrole). He performed his hit "Residents de la République" and then, in an emotional tour de force, accepted the awards to several standing ovations. Bashung received the most "Victoires" over the course of his career than any other musician in the history of the award.

The hour may be late but not too late to introduce Bashung and his wonderful collaborators--lyricists Jean Fauque, Boris Bergman, Pascal Jaqueman. Serge Gainsbourg; musicians Rodolph Burger, Gaëtan Roussel, Gerard Manset, Les Valentins, Mobile in Motion (and many, many others)--to the English-speaking world. When I have shared Bashung's music with my English-speaking friends and family, they love his voice, they love the music, but they want to know what the words mean.

It is my sincere hope that, with the help of these translations, you will come to love Alain Bashung as so many of us do and always will. I invite your comments and suggestions after the translations, especially suggestions of native French speakers, which I am not. Although I have been studying French since 1981, Bashung's texts are not easy. I will start with Bashung's last recorded song and work my way to the very first.

Vive Alain Bashung! As for fans of this very special "musique française", both the proficient and the neophyte, I echo Alain: "Laissent venir, laissent venir. "

Laura Tattoo, Poet/Translator
Moineau En France

THE MUSIC LINKS

For the music, your best bet is to purchase the compilation of 27 cds "A perte de vue" which contains all the music of Alain Bashung and many bonuses, such as the instrumentals. It is available for the very low price of 60€; I paid 99€ when it first came out. Go on, pay the shipping cost; you will never regret it! It has a book of all the French lyrics, designer labels on the cds, and many, many 8x10 deluxe pictures of our Star. You can decorate your entire room like a teenager! La classe! Buy the coffret as soon as you can.

ps. If you find any removed videos, would you please leave a comment so I'll receive an email? Thanks!

THE ALBUMS OF BASHUNG

in order of appearance:

Roman Photos (1977)

Roulette russe (1979/80)

Pizza (1981)

Play Blessures (1982/1993)

Figure Imposée (1983/1993)

Passé le Rio Grande (1986)

Novice (1989)

Osez Josephine (1991)

Chatterton (1994)

Fantaisie Militaire (1998)

L'Imprudence (2002)

Cantique des cantiques (2002)

Bleu Pétrole (2008)

DISCOVERIES

NEW! L'homme à tête de chou (2011)

BASHUNG FAN SITES

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