La Musique Française
3/25/20
La Musique Française
For the subject of French music I have decided to take a unique approach – but given how distinct French music is, I think that’s exactly what the French would want me to do.
A quick caveat before we begin: though I make assertive statements in this piece, they represent my interpretations at this time. I do not pretend to know everything, nor do I assume that my judgement will never change. I also do not pretend to know everything about France or French culture – that’s why I’m going there to study abroad! This is just what I can make of things based on my current experience.
Now, if we’re going to talk about the most popular artists, especially of recent times, we absolutely cannot leave out Johnny Hallyday. He is one of the most visible faces of the uniquely French genre known as « chanson française. » His music, such as the song « Je te promets » conveys a passion for the joys of life and a dedication to going forth and doing. This particular song is about love and nurturing a relationship, even if it ultimately fails.
I readily admit that my experience with recent French music and chanson française is limited, but know more about France and its values, so I can still look for them in the music. Even from my limited musical experience I can see French values shining through in the lyrics. Hallyday sings about passion. The French and romance are somewhat of a stereotypical pairing, but interpersonal relationships are indeed important to the French. In France, even an “ordinary” friendship is something to be cherished and cultivated rather than a casual association. And love is far more serious. Far from the stereotype, love in France is a very serious matter and not to be trifled with. Hallyday promises so much to his love because he is committed to putting in the effort needed to maintain the relationship. Also contrary to popular belief, the French are hardworking and value the progress gained by their extensive labors – just look at their scientific advances, engineering feats, military success, and artistic endeavors for the proof. However, in France value is also placed on taking time for the self and in balance. Just as the perfect wine strikes an aromatic and gustatory chord, so to must work be balanced with relaxation. But enough of tangents. Our man Johnny draws near the close of his song with remarks about the relationship potentially failing, and ends by seeming to put on a brave face and repeating his promises despite the new sad tones in the accompanying music. This too, is highly French. In the US, we tend to associate France with pride and even a superiority complex, in spite of this pride the French are also prone to fatalism from time to time. In my History of France course I learned about the French concept of the “defeated hero,” exemplified in Vercingetorix, Joan of Arc (though to a lesser extent), and the World Wars (especially the second one). The French, like one of Tolkein’s heroes, do not recognize defeat as a valid excuse to abandon their nation and their values. Fulfilling one’s duty in the face of loss is an integral part of French identity. When Hallyday restates his promises after talking about failure, it is a continuation of this tradition (albeit not in life-and-death circumstances). We can rephrase fulfilling a duty to the nation as keeping promises to what (or to whom) we love most – see it now? He sticks to his word, even if it won’t go his way in the end.
Unfortunately I now need to turn my attention elsewhere and to other tasks, but I hope to return to this topic in the not-too-distant future. I also want to talk about modern French music in comparison to its medieval counterparts. There’s something to be said for looking to a place’s history to learn about its present. But, until then, I will leave you with a link to the late monsieur Hallyday’s song, and a goodbye.
A la prochaine !