Françoise Hardy: chercher et detruire

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I only have 'Ma Jeunesse Fout La Camp' which I love, but only play when I want to feel young & sad, because the melancholy can be quite overwhelming. So where do I go from here? And is there anything to avoid at any cost?

Omar, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Ahhh. the ravishing mademoiselle hardy. everything up until about 1973 is heart-achingly flawless. All the vogue disques stuff ( & boy was she prolific) make a peerlessly loverlorn summer score ( which may benefit from woeful ignorance of the french tongue if the translations on the engilsh language lps are any indication). all eminently affordable due to ubiquity in charity shops, all beautifuly designed. what i've heard of her 70s material is more erratic but by no means irredeemible. i have a soft spot for her contribution to the b-side of sexy boy also. lovely lady. wrote almost all her own songs too.

cw, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

All the sixties stuff is all safely woth owning in my experience - the odd cornball number greatly outweighed by the good ones...gets a little adult-oriented bland by the mid seventies, I find.

I haven't heard the english translations nor is my french worth anything, could a french speaker tell me if her lyrics are as beautiful as they seem?

fritz, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

The only thing I remember from her is a duet of I'll Be Seeing You with Iggy Pop! It's great of course.

Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

could a french speaker tell me if her lyrics are as beautiful as they seem?

I'd love to help, but I know like 2 of her songs and I don't remember how the words go.

Patrick, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Whoa, "Tous les garçons et les filles" is on the radio this very minute.

Patrick, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

to hit even an even younger and more melancholic vibe its always good to hear her sing in english... its the grand paradox... the magdelena curse as she sounds even more frail and unsure of what shes doing yet retaining the britney spears notion of enjoying a filthy adult education... check out the english versions of 'Ce Petit Coeur'; 'this Little Heart' or her biggest french hit 'Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles'; 'Find me a boy'... completely necessary... one great thing about any song translation in a language foreign or even just secondary to an artist like francois hardy is the uncertainty and hesitancy of the voice, something which is often missed in the pomp and familiarity of a song performed just one more time in native tounge and with all the confidence of a local chart-topping nymphet... and please remember; the thing with any dirty french chanteuse is to not listen to the lyrics or even imagine that any other accent then french could pull off such inane schoolyard script, as its not about the lyrics, its always about the dirt of the innocent...

Dan, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

I think this ties in with cashmoneygun hiphop somehow. (no other accent could pull it off; the lyrics are juvenile...) No? Okay then.

Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

tons of good stuff - but my favorite is, shit i forgot the title, the one with "reve" & "le martien" etc, black & white cover photo, circa 1970? on the back she wears a hat , smokes a cig.

duane, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Just got some of said artistes' stuff. Very handsome voice, taseful backgrounds, melodies..classic

Mike Hanley, Tuesday, 26 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

is that "la question" that dz is describing?

jon, Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

yes it is, thanks fer the prompt! & from what i know, that might've been her last real good record .

d.zarakov, Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

question - she covered a Nirvana song, true or false? A: true but (trick question!) it was by the '60s band Nirvana (the song - "Tiny Goddess" off I think it's called "Francoise Sings in English", it's real good.)

D.Z., Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Okay I've seen 'La question' in the shops for little money, so I'll get that one tomorrow, and her English-sung albums are not be avoided (I'll remember that). Last week I had one of those "lucky buys" when at a discount bookshop I found 'Notes Secrètes' a French biography with lyrics a tons of pictures. She was a bit of une belle star, oui? i love it when books like that just seem to materialize in order to fulfill some private wish.

Omar, Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Being new to Francoise Hardy, where would one start?

JC, Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

if you're after vinyl: loads of the vogue 60s stuff is readily attainable from charity shops & 2nd hand emporiums. all of it is great & so heavily re-issued with different sleeves & titles that its difficult to pin down one specificly. CDs: i saw a bunch of nicely packaged compilations of her early phase in hmv the other day which were good value. don't remember any titles.sorry.

cw, Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

As I said in another thread, Francoise is exactly what I'd want to look like, were I a French girl. Just look at her wearing black leotards in the packing crate on one of her first albums--didn't that Beatles photographer steal this idea? Oh, and the 'sixties singles are good, too.

X. Y. Zedd, Wednesday, 27 June 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

What thread was that Zedd? I'd like to second that wish you see ;). Were I French girl I would love to look F.H. on the back of La Question (photo with hat + cigaret). Weird record btw.

Omar, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Omar, you've probably found this already--but it was the "Search And Destoy" thread on "French Ye-Ye Pop." Much useful information, including some useless disinformation from myself... Even in recent photos, Francoise looks pretty darn fetching for someone, like me, in the shady side of life.

X. Y. Zedd, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Oh, my gosh! How could I forget--Francoise's star turn on Malcolm McLaren's 1994 "Paris" album. She sings a song about death by roses whose title I somehow can't think of at the moment, but let me assure you it's one of the most stunningly transcendent pieces of pop music ever recorded, the essence of fluffy French pop. Even if you hate McLaren (and I wouldn't blame you), this song would be enough to convert you for life. I'm humming it even now in my head but blast me if I can think of the words just now! Anyway, rush right out and buy this--you will not regret the expense!

X. Y. Zedd, Monday, 2 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

Francoise Hardy:

Can't think of the name of the english album, but that was my first introduction to her. Aawww....a sun kissed parisian goddess. Francoise Hardy and Jane Birkin, surely the beatles and the stones.

But she does beautiful covers of Tim Hardin, Buddy Holly, Ray Davies....

The new Francoise Hardy has to be Dot Allison.................there is a superstar talent....

doompatrol23@hotmail.com, Tuesday, 3 July 2001 00:00 (twenty-three years ago) link

four years pass...
REVIVE

I bought La Question in France...it's gorgeous....reminds me a little of chelsea girls nico...kinda but better....just an amazing singer!


M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 01:17 (nineteen years ago) link

this music makes me feel pretty.

M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 01:40 (nineteen years ago) link

like if i had hair I would totally sit on my balcony on brushing me hair like princess amidala in episode iii.

M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 01:41 (nineteen years ago) link

listening to francois hardy

M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Tuesday, 15 November 2005 01:44 (nineteen years ago) link

one year passes...

classique
http://www.jean-marie-perier.net/files/60_frHar_01_grd.jpg

gershy, Sunday, 27 May 2007 06:56 (seventeen years ago) link

two years pass...

<3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPcBeh9L9rM

velko, Wednesday, 20 January 2010 09:17 (fourteen years ago) link

one year passes...

Happy Birthday, Françoise

Do you know what the secret of comity is? (Michael White), Tuesday, 17 January 2012 16:18 (twelve years ago) link

five months pass...

Despite the generic rock backing tracks i really like her singing and songwriting on the recent stuff I've heard.

ratso piazzolla (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 30 June 2012 23:40 (twelve years ago) link

five months pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INe9po1uzxo

buzza, Sunday, 23 December 2012 06:04 (eleven years ago) link

two years pass...

Light in the Attic is reissuing her first five LPs

http://lightintheattic.net/artists/1184-francoise-hardy

nomar, Wednesday, 21 October 2015 20:51 (nine years ago) link

six months pass...

i just picked up the Rhino/Parlophone vinyl reissue of La Question, and it sounds amazing. pretty bare bones, at least compared to the five pack Light in the Attic just did, but quality vinyl, deep sound, not too expensive.

nomar, Tuesday, 3 May 2016 16:43 (eight years ago) link

four years pass...

Sad interview in today's Le Parisien newspaper. She has a new collection of her lyrics out in France, with her annotations and recollections for each song. She reveals she's in bad health now after lymphoma had been in remission a few years ago and that her singing days are over. I wish this wonderful lady nothing but the best. Her music means a lot.

SQUIRREL MEAT!! (Capitaine Jay Vee), Tuesday, 6 April 2021 14:29 (three years ago) link

Love her cover of Neil Young's "Till the Morning Comes."

clemenza, Tuesday, 6 April 2021 14:35 (three years ago) link

This revive scared me!

I know during her last illness, her family was called to say you should come, this might be it.

Notes on Scampo (tokyo rosemary), Tuesday, 6 April 2021 14:48 (three years ago) link

I heart Hardy, wish her all the best. I never go more than a few months without putting her on, there are moods and times where her music is exactly what I want.

It was only recently, while putting a smaller object in front of the typography on this LP cover, that I realised she must be the source of 'Frances Ha'

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FFrancoise-Hardy%2Fdp%2FB01M1CGOOY&psig=AOvVaw3aqi_ZOT-MzjK3-tIpe3EH&ust=1617807570317000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCOD7qv7w6e8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

Ward Fowler, Tuesday, 6 April 2021 15:01 (three years ago) link

That was my first Mme Hardy lp, 25p speculative early 90s oxfam purchase, loved it completely. This has always been a particular favourite : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRymyMYYq9A . Did not know about the lymphoma, bad business, fingers crossed for francoise.

cw, Tuesday, 6 April 2021 21:40 (three years ago) link

I've been seeing her in trailer for Grand Prix on TCM, looking a bit like, "LOL what am I doing here?!"

dow, Tuesday, 6 April 2021 22:12 (three years ago) link

That is very much her attitude from the autobio. She hated acting.

Daniel_Rf, Wednesday, 7 April 2021 10:13 (three years ago) link

two months pass...

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jun/17/francoise-hardy-argues-for-assisted-suicide?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1

“My physical suffering has already been so terrible that I am afraid that death will force me to go through even more physical suffering.”

She told the magazine that she was in favour of assisted suicide. In May, she told Paris Match that “France is inhumane” for not legalising the procedure.

Johnny Fever, Sunday, 20 June 2021 22:46 (three years ago) link

two months pass...

Despite the generic rock backing tracks i really like her singing and songwriting on the recent stuff I've heard.

This is what I was referring to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpn5hABfP3Y

Gwar ina Babyon (James Redd and the Blecchs), Monday, 30 August 2021 01:46 (three years ago) link

one year passes...

is there anything similar to her music? La Question in particular? I like the melancholic and dark mood of it, the second Catherine Lara album works

ClimbingThieves, Thursday, 22 June 2023 08:28 (one year ago) link

eleven months pass...

Farewell Françoise. :(

stirmonster, Tuesday, 11 June 2024 22:32 (five months ago) link

heartbreaking.

budo jeru, Wednesday, 12 June 2024 00:33 (five months ago) link

When I was a kid I bought this song on a 7" from a car boot sale and it was just a totally otherworldly artefact - beautiful and strange

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o6SPS6R-zQ

in the early CD days I found the La Question LP as a second-hand import and it was one of the rare occasions when a parent album totally lives up to the promise of the single (the other one I can think of is Bowie's Low)

much love for FH

Cognosc in Tyrol (emsworth), Wednesday, 12 June 2024 01:33 (five months ago) link

Her version of Ricky Nelson's "Lonesome Town." <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgs-rzbBPH8

RIP ;_;

ILX: a violent left-wing mob who hate our country (Tom D.), Wednesday, 12 June 2024 07:14 (five months ago) link

Adieu

completely suited to the horny decadence (Capitaine Jay Vee), Wednesday, 12 June 2024 10:19 (five months ago) link

I love this track so much, the vocals, the strings, total swoon:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guj3iMkfZKo

Chuck_Tatum, Wednesday, 12 June 2024 16:17 (five months ago) link

Found out about this late yesterday. One of those people who was so beautiful it physically hurts to look at her. Mentioned this upthread but didn't post a link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vls0xGjorbQ

clemenza, Wednesday, 12 June 2024 18:50 (five months ago) link

wow

budo jeru, Wednesday, 12 June 2024 18:58 (five months ago) link

one of my favorites

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_evKxWHx3Q

budo jeru, Wednesday, 12 June 2024 18:59 (five months ago) link

xposts: love that whole third (& i think final) english language album the young cover is from

<3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sYTOyB1KQ0

no lime tangier, Thursday, 13 June 2024 08:40 (five months ago) link

five months pass...

i had never heard the original version of "Dis-lui non"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGspX9LXqDY
Bobby Skel - Say It Now 1965

in truth it owes a lot to the Moonglows - Sincerely

budo jeru, Saturday, 23 November 2024 03:12 (two weeks ago) link


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