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Rina Ketty – “J’attendrai” (1938)


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Music is a great way to learn vocabulary in a new language. Lyrics can be poetic , forlorn , romantic , inspirational or funny. Listening to songs dating back across different time periods helps you understand the origins of some of the new music on the market. Why practise a language through music? Music makes things more memorable ; you probably remember learning the alphabet by singing the ABC song!
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If your fantasies involve riding through the streets of Paris on a bicycle, fuel your dreams with this soundtrack of gorgeous vintage French pop songs. Start with these ten songs, beloved classics of the genre. This little gem, written by Jean Lenoir and performed by Lucienne Boyer among dozens of others, both in French and in translation has a lilting, dreamlike melody that is often heard in French music boxes. The title translates to "Speak to Me of Love" and the lyrics tell of the sweet nothings that lovers whisper in each others' ears, and how these words can melt the troubles of the world away, even if they're not entirely genuine. The lyrics speak of awaiting the return of a lover who has gone far away to an unnamed place, and it became something of an anthem for young couples during WWII. No one has made such a singular impact on the history of French popular music as the golden-voiced Edith Piaf. Of all the wonderful songs in her repertoire , though, "La Vie en Rose" "Life Through Rose-Colored Glasses" is surely the most beloved and best-remembered, all around the world. Piaf wrote the lyrics herself, and the melody was written by Louis Guglielmi.
Culture Trip stands with Black Lives Matter. With lyrics detailing the troubles of war time and the loss of love, La Vie en Rose became a favorite with not only French audiences, but listeners worldwide. In , Ketty embarked on the resurrection of her career in France, but was unable to reach her pre-war success. However, in French minister of culture Jack Lang awarded her the medal Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, which aims to decorate achievements in the Arts and Cultural sphere.