21 Greatest French Singers You Have to Hear Now (2024)

French singers have captivated audiences worldwide for many years with their distinctive appeal and magnificence; it’s no secret that France is legendary for its wealthy tradition – and music is not any exception.

Fortunate for us, many French singers have made lovely melodies that folks of all ages and backgrounds love.

The music trade has undoubtedly benefited from unbelievable French expertise, from the legendary Edith Piaf to the trendy Vanessa Paradis and to many extra well-known singers of France.

The distinctive type of French singers displays the nation’s cultural variety and wealthy historical past; amidst this, they’ve a lot to supply. 

This text offers a better have a look at a number of the most well-known French singers, their tales, and their contributions.

21 Greatest French Singers You Have to Hear Now

Listed below are some massive names within the French music scene.

1. Edith Piaf

Edith Piaf, the “Little Sparrow,” soared to fame as one of the crucial celebrated French singers of the twentieth century. 

Regardless of a tumultuous upbringing in a Parisian brothel and a difficult begin on the streets, Edith’s extraordinary voice captured the hearts of followers worldwide.

This French lady‘s music, characterised by the French chanson style, tells tales of affection, loss, and sorrow, resonating with audiences of all ages. 

Iconic French songs like “La Vie en rose,” “Non, je ne regrette rien,” and “Hymne à l’amour” proceed to captivate listeners to this present day. Past her music, Edith additionally graced the silver display screen and mentored different beloved singers corresponding to Yves Montand.

Nonetheless, Edith’s life was not with out hardship. Her passionate however tragic love affair with boxer Marcel Cerdan resulted in heartbreak along with his premature loss of life in a aircraft crash. 

She additionally struggled with well being issues and drug dependancy all through her profession, finally passing away at solely 47 years outdated.

Regardless of her struggles, Edith Piaf is likely one of the most well-known French folks, and her legacy endures as one of many biggest French cultural icons of all time. 

She even received awards in A Star Is Born together with her music “La Vie en rose” in 2018 – her music is a timeless treasure for all who respect the facility of music.

2. Johnny Hallyday

Jean-Philippe Smet, born in Paris in 1943, was the enduring French singer and actor Johnny Hallyday. Hallyday was additionally one other legendary French music artist and actor who introduced rock and roll to France.

His ardour for music started with guitar classes from his American cousin, Lee Halliday. Quickly after, he adopted Lee’s final identify for his stage persona and embraced rock and roll, impressed by the likes of Elvis Presley.

He shortly turned a sensation amongst younger followers within the late Nineteen Fifties with energetic performances and hits’ like “Laisse les Filles” and “Souvenirs, Souvenirs.” 

All through his six-decade profession, Johnny recorded over 1,000 songs and offered over 110 million information worldwide.

He collaborated with well-known singers corresponding to Charles Aznavour, Eddy Mitchell, and Sylvie Vartan, his first spouse, and carried out at iconic venues corresponding to L’Olympia, Parc des Princes, and Stade de France. 

He obtained many awards in his profession, together with the Prix Jean Gabin, was made a Chevalier, and obtained a star on the Mascow Stroll of Fame.

His final live performance was in July 2017 as a part of his “Rocker Tour.” He handed away in December 2017 at 74 after battling lung most cancers, and a whole bunch of 1000’s attended his funeral. 

Johnny stays broadly considered the French Elvis Presley and an emblem of French tradition.

3. Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour was a French music legend who captivated audiences along with his pop and chanson music. 

Born in Paris in 1924 to Armenian mother and father who had escaped the genocide, Charles started his profession as a baby actor and singer, however his expertise as a songwriter made him a worldwide icon.

From like to loss of life, battle to homosexuality, Aznavour’s music touched on varied themes – with over 1,200 compositions. A few of his most well-known French hits embrace “La Bohème,” “She,” “Yesterday Once I Was Younger,” and “What Makes a Man.”

However Aznavour was greater than only a musician; amongst many issues, he was a humanitarian activist and a diplomat for Armenia. 

He based a charity group to assist earthquake aid efforts in Armenia in 1988 and later turned Armenia’s ambassador to Switzerland and its everlasting delegate to the United Nations.

Passing away at 94 in 2018, he had amassed quite a few awards, together with the Legion of Honour, the Raoul Wallenberg Award, and a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame. 

Aznavour’s music and compassion touched hundreds of thousands worldwide, cementing his legacy among the many most excellent French music artists recorded.

4. Françoise Hardy

If you happen to love French pop music, you most likely know Françoise Hardy, one of many style’s most iconic and influential French singers. 

Born in Paris in 1944, she taught herself guitar as a youngster and shortly rose to fame together with her hit single “Tous les garçons et les filles” in 1962.

Her success led her to develop into a outstanding determine within the yé-yé motion, recording songs in a number of languages, together with English, German, and Italian – gaining worldwide fame.

However Hardy was greater than a fairly face and a proficient singer; she was additionally a gifted songwriter who explored themes corresponding to love, loneliness, and loss of life with a poetic contact. 

Collaborating with a number of the finest composers and producers of her time, she left her mark on the music trade and impressed style designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne together with her distinctive type.

Although she confronted well being issues that pressured her to retire from singing in 2018, Hardy’s legacy lived on with over thirty studio albums, a number of movies, and books on astrology and music memoirs, and he or she married a fellow singer and French actor Jacques Dutronc. 

Her contributions to French tradition and music are timeless, making her a beloved determine throughout generations. 

5. Lomepal

Meet Lomepal, the French artist who can do all of it! From skating to singing, poetry to storytelling, Lomepal is a real inventive power. 

Born Antoine Valentinelli in Paris in 1991, he found his love for phrases and music by way of his ardour for skateboarding. On the younger age of 20, he began rapping, and the remainder is historical past!

Lomepal’s music shortly turned a staple on the French music charts, along with his first album, Flip, reaching double platinum standing in 2017. 

He continued to captivate audiences along with his second album, Jeannine, launched in 2018. The album, devoted to his grandmother, who had schizophrenia, included hits like “Trop beau” and “1000°C” and was additionally licensed double platinum.

In 2019, Lomepal gave followers much more with the discharge of Amina, a deluxe model of Jeannine that includes new tracks and remixes. 

Whereas he introduced his retirement from music in 2020, Lomepal couldn’t keep away from the studio for lengthy.

He delighted followers with a shock single, Auburn, in June 2021 and adopted it up along with his third album, Mauvais Ordre, launched in September 2021. 

The album is a deeper dive into Lomepal’s psyche, exploring themes corresponding to dependancy, melancholy, love, and loss of life. Don’t miss out on this multi-talented artist’s unbelievable musical journey! 

6. Soprano

Soprano is a well-known French singer and rapper, born Saïd M’Roumbaba in Marseille in 1979. He began rapping at 16 with the group Psy 4 de la Rime and launched his first solo album, “Puisqu’il faut vivre,” in 2007. 

Soprano is understood for his optimistic messages and collaborations with artists like Akon, Black M, and Indila.

He additionally owns his personal label and mentors younger skills. His largest successes have include the diamond-certified albums “Cosmopolitanie,” “L’Everest,” and “Phoenix,” which have produced hits corresponding to “Clown,” “Cosmo,” and “À la vie à l’amour.”

He’s a multifaceted artist who additionally acts, produces, and helps varied causes. 

However above all, Soprano is a household man who dedicates his songs to his spouse, Alexia, and their three youngsters. His music is a testomony to his values, making him a real inspiration to many individuals worldwide. 

7. France Gall

France Gall, born Isabelle Gall in Paris in 1947, falls among the many well-known singers of France in addition to a star of the yé-yé pop motion. 

She received the 1965 Eurovision Tune Contest with “Poupée de cire, poupée de son,” written by Serge Gainsbourg.

Gall had a profitable profession with a string of hits, together with some with suggestive lyrics, that she later regretted. 

She additionally sang songs by different composers, corresponding to Michel Berger, whom she married in 1976. The couple collaborated on profitable albums and songs, together with “Ella, elle l’a,” her tribute to Ella Fitzgerald.

She confronted private tragedies with the deaths of Berger and her daughter, Pauline. She took a break from music however returned in 2004 with a brand new album, France, and created a musical based mostly on Berger’s songs, Résiste, which premiered in 2015. 

She handed away from most cancers in 2018 on the age of 70, however her music nonetheless lives on within the hearts of many followers worldwide.

8. Isabelle Geffroy

Isabelle Geffroy, generally known as Zaz, is a French songwriter and singer who mixes a French selection of jazzy kinds, acoustic and soul. 

Born in 1980 in Excursions, France, Isabella began her musical profession in blues and jazz bands.

Isabelle rose to fame together with her first album Zaz, launched in 2010, which featured her debut single “Je veux.” 

The album offered over 5 million copies worldwide, together with 2 million exterior France. Zaz has been in comparison with Edith Piaf for her highly effective voice and emotional expression.

She has additionally been impressed by different singers corresponding to Ella Fitzgerald, Enrico Macias, and Bobby McFerrin. 

A few of her most well-known songs embrace “Éblouie par la nuit,” “Port Coton,” and “La fée,” written by Raphaël Haroche. 

Zaz received a number of awards for her music, such because the European Border Breakers Award in 2011 and the Victoires de la Musique Award for Unique Tune of the 12 months in 2014.

9. Serge Gainsbourg

Meet Serge Gainsbourg, a French musician, singer-songwriter, actor, writer, and filmmaker born Lucien Ginsburg in Paris in 1928. 

Starting his musical profession as a pianist, Gainsbourg turned a composer and producer for different well-known artists corresponding to Petula Clark, Juliette Greco, and Dionne Warwick.

Nonetheless, Gainsbourg didn’t win many’s hearts however was nonetheless thought-about a formidable artist who additionally carried out his personal songs, dubbed provocative and scandalous, mixing genres corresponding to pop, rock, jazz, reggae, and electronica. 

He’s most well-known for his duets with French actresses Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin (Lou Doillon’s mom from her marriage to movie director Jacques Doillon), particularly for “Je t’aime… moi non plus”, a music that prompted fairly a stir for its erotic lyrics and sounds.

Regardless of being banned in lots of nations, the music topped the charts in a number of European nations. 

Gainsbourg additionally wrote songs celebrating popular culture icons corresponding to “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Harley Davidson,” and “Comedian Strip.” 

He received a number of awards for his music, together with the Charles Cros – Grand Prix du Disque de l’Académie and the Victoires de la Musique award for finest male artist of the 12 months.

Total, Serge stays a formidable artist who left a mark on the music trade along with his distinctive type and provocative lyrics.

10. Jacques Brel

Jacques Brel was an distinctive Belgian singer-songwriter born in Brussels in 1929 and started enjoying and mastering the piano at a younger age. 

After beginning out as a cabaret singer in Brussels and Paris, he rose to prominence as a composer and producer for himself and different performers. 

Brel’s songs are recognized for his or her poetic, emotional, and theatrical type, mixing chanson, pop, and folks genres.

He’s well-known for his hits corresponding to “Ne me quitte pas,” “Quand on n’a que l’amour,” “Amsterdam,” and “La chanson des vieux amants,” which have been lined by many artists worldwide. 

Brel was additionally a profitable actor and filmmaker, showing in ten movies and directing two of them.

He obtained many prestigious awards for his music and movies, together with the Grand Prix du Disque de l’Académie Charles Cros in 1962 and the Prix Louis Delluc in 1973 for his movie “Le Far West.”

11. Vanessa Paradis

Vanessa Paradis is a proficient French singer, actress, and mannequin born in 1972. 

She first rose to fame on the age of 14 together with her hit single “Joe le taxi” (1987), which topped the charts in over ten nations! 

She then launched her debut album, which offered over two million copies worldwide, establishing a strong presence within the French music trade.

Vanessa additionally began a modeling and appearing profession, later profitable the Most Promising Actress – César Award for her function in Noce Blanche in 1990. 

Since then, Vanessa has continued to launch music and star in movies alongside a few of France’s largest names. She’s been a Chanel mannequin (maybe essentially the most well-known French style model) for over 30 years and has represented their perfumes and equipment.

Vanessa’s private life has additionally made headlines, as she was in a long-term relationship with actor Johnny Depp, and so they have two youngsters collectively. 

She later married director Samuel Benchetrit in 2018. Nonetheless, to this present day, Vanessa stays a real French icon of tradition and leisure!

12. Julien Doré

Julien Doré is a French singer-songwriter, musician, producer, and actor who rose to fame after profitable the fifth season of Nouvelle Star, a well-liked TV expertise present, in 2007. 

He’s additionally the great-great-grandson of Émile Waldteufel, a well-known composer.

Doré’s distinctive type blends pop, folks, and rock influences with quirky lyrics and a charismatic stage presence. 

He performs varied devices, together with the ukulele, which he used to impress the jury and the viewers throughout his audition for Nouvelle Star.

Since his debut album Ersatz, in 2008, Doré has launched 5 extra studio albums: Bichon (2011), Løve (2013), & (2016), Aimée (2020), and Tendre (2021). 

A few of his most profitable songs embrace Les Limites, Paris-Seychelles, Le Lac, Coco Câline, and Nous. He has additionally collaborated with varied artists, together with Coeur de Pirate, Mika, Brigitte, and Clara Luciani.

Doré has obtained a number of awards and nominations for his music profession. In 2015, he received the Victoire de l’artiste interprète masculin (Greatest Male Artist) on the Victoires de la musique , the French equal of the Grammys. 

He was additionally nominated for Greatest French Act on the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2008 and 2014.

Doré shouldn’t be solely a proficient musician but in addition an actor. He has appeared in a number of movies and TV exhibits, corresponding to Pop Redemption (2013), Les Francis (2014), and La Confession (2017).

13. Carla Bruni

Meet Carla Bruni, the Italian-born French singer and former mannequin who stole the world’s coronary heart together with her music. 

After shifting to France at seven years outdated, Carla turned a style icon earlier than shifting her focus to music. 

Her debut album, Quelqu’un m’a dit, was a shock hit and offered over two million copies worldwide.

By mixing chanson, folks, and pop genres, Bruni’s music type is kind of versatile, and he or she sings in French, English, Italian, and Spanish.

Since then, Carla has launched 5 extra albums, together with Little French Songs and French Contact. Alongside her singing profession, she’s appeared in movies like Midnight in Paris (one of many many motion pictures set in Paris) and has been concerned in varied humanitarian causes. 

She even created the Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Basis in 2009 to assist initiatives like schooling for ladies and animal welfare.

Bruni’s most notable hits embrace “Quelqu’un m’a dit,” “L’amoureuse,” and “The Winner Takes It All.” 

She’s collaborated with legendary artists like Harry Connick Jr., Willie Nelson, and Ennio Morricone. 

Bruni by no means received any important awards, however she’s actually made an excellent identify for herself on the earth of music and past! 

14. Joyce Jonathan

Joyce Jonathan is a French singer-songwriter born in Levallois-Perret in November 1989. 

She started enjoying the piano on the younger age of seven and composing her personal songs at age 11. 

Joyce additionally taught herself to play the guitar and was influenced by artists like Tracy Chapman and Jean-Jacques Goldman.

At age 16, she posted a few of her songs on MySpace and contacted Michael Goldman, co-founder of the label My Main Firm, turning into one of many first artists to be funded by web customers. 

In 2010, her debut album Sur mes gardes went gold in Might and platinum in October. It included hit singles Je ne sais pas, Pas besoin de toi, and a duet with Tété.

The feminine singer received the NRJ Music Award for Francophone Breakthrough of the 12 months in 2011. 

And Jonathan has launched 4 extra albums since then: Caractère (2013), Une place pour moi (2016), On (2018), and Joie de vivre (2020). 

Her music type is a mixture of folks and pop; she sings in French, Mandarin, Spanish, and English songs. She has collaborated with artists like Vianney, Ycare, Patrick Bruel, and Calogero.

Apart from music, Jonathan has acted in some movies and TV exhibits, corresponding to L’École pour tous (2006) and Sous le même toit (2017). 

She additionally helps varied humanitarian causes, like preventing breast most cancers, selling cultural variety, supporting women’ schooling, and defending animal rights. 

And at last, In 2014, she participated within the fifth season of Danse avec les stars on TF1.

15. Christophe Mae

Christophe Maé is a proficient French musician born in 1975 in Carpentras. At age six, he started enjoying the violin and later realized guitar, harmonica, and drums.

 Well-known musicians, together with Bob Marley, Stevie Marvel, Tracy Chapman, and Ben Harper, impressed him.

In 2005, Maé performed the function of Monsieur within the musical Le Roi Soleil, a efficiency that received him the NRJ Music Award for Revelation of the 12 months in ‘06. 

He showcased his first solo album, Mon Paradis, in 2007, which offered over 1.6 million copies and included common songs like Parce qu’on sait jamais, On s’attache, and Ça fait mal.

Maé has launched 5 extra profitable albums since then, together with On hint la route and Je veux du bonheur, showcasing his numerous mix of pop, folks, reggae, soul, and blues genres. 

He has additionally collaborated with famend artists corresponding to Youssou N’Dour, Patrick Bruel, Calogero, and Ceuzany.

Not solely his singing expertise runs by way of his veins – he has additionally acted in a number of movies and has been concerned with quite a few humanitarian causes, together with preventing malaria, supporting schooling for youngsters, and selling environmental consciousness. 

Lastly, in 2012, he turned a UNICEF ambassador, cementing his dedication to creating the world a greater place. 

16. Indila

Indila is a French songwriter and completed singer born in June 1984 in Paris with Algerian, Egyptian, Cambodian, and Indian roots. 

She’s a “little one of the world” who realized Hindi and Mandarin as a baby and was influenced by Indian music and tradition.

Her music profession started early in 2009 when she collaborated with varied French rappers and singers on vocals and songwriting. 

She launched her first solo single, Dernière danse (Final Dance), in 2013. It was a large hit in France and overseas, adopted by three extra singles: Tourner dans le vide (Spinning Round), SOS, and Run Run.

She launched her first album, titled “Mini World,” in 2014, an authorized diamond in France, and offered over one million copies worldwide. 

Her music type is a mixture of world, pop, folks, and orchestral genres, and he or she’s received a number of awards, together with two NRJ Music Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, and one Victoires de la Musique Award.

17. Joséphine Baker

Joséphine Baker was an American-born French singer, dancer, and actress who dazzled audiences together with her distinctive and energetic performances within the Nineteen Twenties and Nineteen Thirties. 

Baker was additionally a civil rights activist who fought in opposition to racism and adopted 12 youngsters of various nationalities to create her “rainbow tribe.”

Born Freda Josephine McDonald in Missouri, she grew up in poverty and began dancing at a younger age to assist her household.

She moved to New York Metropolis and joined the Harlem Renaissance earlier than shifting to Paris in 1925, the place she turned an in a single day sensation together with her “danse sauvage” and her iconic banana skirt.

Baker’s singing profession stretched far and large with common hits corresponding to “J’ai deux amours” (I Have Two Loves) – in 1931 and “La vie en rose” (Life in Pink) – in 1950.

She starred in a number of movies, corresponding to Siren of the Tropics (1927) and Zouzou (1934), and have become a French citizen in 1937. 

Throughout World Struggle II, she labored as a spy for the French Resistance and entertained troops in Africa and the Center East.

By means of all her efforts, she was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour for her bravery. 

She continued to carry out till her loss of life in 1975 at age 68. But, her music will without end stay a decent traditional to this present day as she continues to be an inspiration for a lot of aspiring artists.

18. Jean-Jacques Goldman

Jean-Jacques Goldman is a French singer-songwriter and music producer who has been one among France’s hottest and influential artists because the Nineteen Eighties. 

He began his profession as a vocalist member of the progressive rock band Taï Phong earlier than launching his solo profession in 1981 with the hit music “Il suffira d’un signe.”

He has launched 9 solo albums and 6 dwell albums, all licensed platinum or diamond, and has written and composed songs for a lot of different artists, corresponding to Johnny Hallyday (talked about above), Céline Dion, Patrick Fiori, and Garou.

He was additionally a part of the trio Fredericks Goldman Jones with Carole Fredericks and Michael Jones from 1990 to 1995. 

A few of his most well-known songs embrace Quand la musique est bonne (1982), Je te donne (1985), Là-bas (1987), Puisque tu pars (1988) and Envole-moi (1993). He retired from the music scene in 2004 however stays extremely revered and influential in France.

19. Claude François

Claude François was a French pop singer, dancer, and producer who rose to fame within the Nineteen Sixties and Seventies along with his catchy songs and energetic stage exhibits. He was additionally recognized by his nickname Cloclo. 

Born in Egypt to a French father and an Italian mom, he moved to France along with his household after the Suez Disaster in 1956.

He began his musical profession as a drummer earlier than turning into a singer and forming his personal label Flèche Productions. 

He had many hits, corresponding to Belles! Belles! Belles! (1962), Comme d’habitude (1967), Le lundi au soleil (1972), Le téléphone pleure (1974) and Alexandrie Alexandra (1978).

He additionally tailored many English-language songs into French, corresponding to My Approach (Comme d’habitude), December 1963 (Oh What A Night time) (Cette année-là), and I Go To Rio (Je vais à Rio). 

Sadly, he died tragically at age 39 when he was electrocuted by a defective mild fixture in his lavatory. 

20. Melanie Ache

Melanie Ache is a French indie pop singer from Caen with a flexible and fascinating voice. 

She first gained consideration as a vocalist for the band Nouvelle Imprecise, the place she gave a contemporary twist to traditional songs from the ’80s, corresponding to This Is Not A Love Tune, Teenage Kicks, and Grasp And Servant. 

She additionally labored with different artists, corresponding to M83 and Villeneuve, showcasing her vary and expertise.

In 2009, she launched her first solo album, My Identify, which featured unique songs in each French and English that mirrored her influences of folks, pop, and rock artists corresponding to Sonic Youth, The Smiths, Pixies, PJ Harvey, and Nick Drake. 

She adopted it with Bye Bye Manchester in 2012 and Parachute in 2016.

Her music has been praised by followers and critics alike for its honesty, emotion, and appeal. 

Melanie has additionally received a number of awards for her work, such because the Prix Constantin in 2009 for My Identify and the Prix Skills W9 in 2013 for Bye Bye Manchester. 

21. Eddy Mitchell

Eddy Mitchell is a French actor and singer who has been a legend of rock and roll and nation music for over six a long time. 

He began his profession in 1960 because the chief of Les Chaussettes Noires (The Black Socks), one of many first rock bands in France.

He took his stage identify from Eddie Constantine, an American actor who starred in French movies. 

He went solo in 1963 and launched dozens of albums that blended rock, rhythm, blues, nation, and pop. 

He additionally tailored many American songs into French, corresponding to Be Bop A Lula (Daniela), C’est La Vie (Pauvre Diable), and Sur La Route De Memphis (On The Highway To Memphis).

He collaborated with many well-known artists, corresponding to Johnny Hallyday, Charles Aznavour, Serge Gainsbourg, and Chuck Berry. He additionally had a profitable appearing profession, showing in over 30 movies and TV exhibits.

Lastly, Mitchell received a number of awards for his music and his movies, such because the Victoire de la Musique for Greatest Male Artist in 1994 and 2004, the Grand Prix du Disque de l’Académie Charles Cros in 2010 and 2013, and the César Award for Greatest Supporting Actor in 1991.

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