My recent article on French -Italian singer Carla Bruni - prompted me to look further back and look at her influences.
Of course the late great Françoise Hardy (1944-2024) comes to mind.
A singer and songwriter of great sentimental ballads - she came to prominence in the 1960’s and became a cultural icon - at a time when French cinema exploded and there was French super coolness everywhere in the arts -including fashion, music and literature.
She sang in English,French and German , released over 30 albums and had a career lasting more than 50 years.
She also represented Monaco at the 1963 Eurovision Song Contest.
She occupies that great European popular song aesthetic that so often is overlooked with the dominance of American music culture based on soul , blues , jazz and country.
Check out her wonderful ballads including this 1965 hit co-written by herself : “All Over The World”
Check out more of the great Françoise Hardy here: