Learn French With Music
Learning French with music and song lessons is fun, engaging, and includes a cultural aspect that is often missing from other language learning methods. So music and song lessons are a great way to supplement your learning and stay motivated to keep learning French!
Below are many song recommendations to get you started learning! We have full lyric translations and lessons for each of the songs recommended below, so check out all of our resources. We hope you enjoy learning French with music!
Contents Summary
Electronic
Hip Hop
1. Tous Les Mêmes (All The Same)
Stromae
Vous les hommes êtes tous les mêmes
Macho mais cheap
Bande de mauviettes infidèles
Si prévisibles
You men are all the same
Macho but cheap
Bunch of unfaithful wimps
So predictable
In the song "Tous Les Mêmes" by Stromae, the artist critiques the behavior of men, calling them "macho but cheap" and "infidel mauviettes". He questions whether they deserve the love they receive, and suggests that they are not aware of what they are losing. He also criticizes the idea that beauty is the only thing that matters, and that men are only present when it is convenient for them. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Tous Les Mêmes" to emphasize the idea that men are all the same.
2. Formidable (Wonderful)
Stromae
Formidable
Tu étais formidable, j'étais fort minable
Nous étions formidables
Formidable
Wonderful
You were wonderful, I was so pathetic
We were wonderful
Wonderful
In the song "Formidable," the speaker recalls his relationship where she was "formidable" and he was pathetic, after being recently broken up with. The singer also comments on the superficiality of marriage and infidelity in relationships. He also addresses a child and talks about the flaws and struggles in parenting and relationships. The overall theme of the song seems to be reflecting on past experiences and questioning societal norms and expectations in relationships.
Folk
1. Quelqu'un m'a dit (Someone told me)
Carla Bruni
On me dit que nos vies ne valent pas grand-chose
Elles passent en un instant comme fanent les roses
On me dit que le temps qui glisse est un salaud
Que de nos chagrins il s'en fait des manteaux
Someone told me that our lives aren't worth much
They pass in an instant like roses fade
Someone told me that the time that slips away is a bastard
That from our sorrows he makes coats
Quelqu'un m'a dit by Carla Bruni is a song about the fragility of life and the power of love. The lyrics explore the idea that life is fleeting and unpredictable, yet someone has told the singer that the person they love still loves them. The singer questions if this is possible, and wonders who told them this secret. Despite the uncertainty of life, the singer holds onto the hope that love will remain.
Pop
1. Love Story
Indila
L'âme en peine
Il vit mais parle à peine
Il l'attend
Devant cette photo d'antan
The soul in pain
He lives but barely speaks
He waits for her
In front of this photo of yesteryear
Indila's song "Love Story" is a romantic ballad about a man who is deeply in love with a woman. Despite the fact that she is not present, he still believes in their love and waits for her with a rose in his hand. He is willing to give her his last breath of life if she ignores him, and he is determined to fight for their love no matter what. The song speaks of the power of love and how it can turn a fool into a king.
Electronic
1. Alors On Danse (So We Dance)
Stromae
Qui dit étude dit travail
Qui dit taf te dit les thunes
Qui dit argent dit dépenses
Qui dit crédit dit créance
Who says study says work
Who says work says money
Who says money says expenses
Who says credit says debt
In Stromae's song Alors On Danse, he reflects on the struggles of life and how they can be overwhelming. He acknowledges the difficulties of studying, working, and dealing with money, debt, love, loss, and global crises. He suggests that the only way to cope with these issues is to dance and sing, and to keep going even when it feels like there is no end in sight.
Chanson
1. J'aime pas travailler (I don't like to work)
Zoufris Maracas
Travaillez plus, gagnez plus
Vous aurez moins de temps
Le temps c'est de l'argent
Vous aurez moins d'argent
Work more, earn more
You'll have less time
Time is money
You'll have less money
In Zoufris Maracas' song "J'aime pas travailler" (I don't like to work), the artist expresses his disdain for work and his preference for leisure. He argues that working more to earn more will leave you with less time and money, and that he would rather "glander" (hang out) than be forced to work. He also expresses his desire to create a utopian society where work is forbidden and everyone is guaranteed a maximum salary. Ultimately, he concludes that he would rather live a life of leisure than work.
Dance
1. Papaoutai (Where Are You Dad)
Stromae
Dites-moi d'où il vient
Enfin je saurai où je vais
Maman dit que lorsqu'on cherche bien
On finit toujours par trouver
Tell me where he comes from
Finally, I'll know where I'm going
Mom says that when you search well
You always end up finding
"Papaoutai" by Stromae is a poignant song that explores the absence of a father figure in a person's life. The lyrics express the longing and confusion of a child searching for their father, questioning where he is and why he is not present. The song delves into the complexities of fatherhood and the impact it has on individuals, highlighting the universal desire for a strong paternal presence. The whole song is about the speaker grappling with his father’s absence from his life, but the sad subject matter is contrasted by the upbeat dance beat.
We have more songs with translations on our website and mobile app. You can find the links to the website and our mobile app below. We hope you enjoy learning French with music!
