Introduction
Francis Cabrel
Many people who have seen director James Brooks’ (1987) movie “Broadcast News” recall the scene where actor Albert Brooks (as Aaron) plays a recorded French song in his living room. Aaron settles into his couch and drops ice, white spirits and a mixer into a wine goblet. Displaying his aesthetic and linguistic chops, he sings the words loudly in French over the soundtrack, drains his drink, and collapses backward with a howl.
Aaron was playing Francis Cabrel’s song called Edition Spéciale from his fifth album released in 1983, Quelqu’un de l’intérieur (“Someone from the Inside”). Although Cabrel is unseen in the video, his music drives the action and the lyrics furnish the “key” to a brilliant “insider” joke accessible to viewers who understand French. The narrative in Cabrel’s quick-step song concerns a guy who is addicted to night-time TV and has a crush on a female newscaster. The nexus with the movie is that this theme echoes Aaron’s very own relationship in his personal and work life at the local news station with the film character (Jane) played by Holly Hunter. The frustrations implicit in this coincidence lead to his antics.
For those who don’t recall this scene or never saw the movie, the clip is below, followed by the translated lyrics to the song. It is fast-paced, full of slang and represents about half the entire song.
Aaron was playing Francis Cabrel’s song called Edition Spéciale from his fifth album released in 1983, Quelqu’un de l’intérieur (“Someone from the Inside”). Although Cabrel is unseen in the video, his music drives the action and the lyrics furnish the “key” to a brilliant “insider” joke accessible to viewers who understand French. The narrative in Cabrel’s quick-step song concerns a guy who is addicted to night-time TV and has a crush on a female newscaster. The nexus with the movie is that this theme echoes Aaron’s very own relationship in his personal and work life at the local news station with the film character (Jane) played by Holly Hunter. The frustrations implicit in this coincidence lead to his antics.
For those who don’t recall this scene or never saw the movie, the clip is below, followed by the translated lyrics to the song. It is fast-paced, full of slang and represents about half the entire song.
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{Cabrel Singing} D’abord y’a cette fille Dans la boîte de verre Qui dit “Bonne nuit, à demain” {Aaron Joins In} Sur un bout de musique Des bonshommes à l’envers Et puis après plus rien J’étais là à huit heures Pour les mauvaises nouvelles Elle m’a laissé tout seul Avec mes envies d’elle Derrière son visage Un paysage de neige Et puis après plus rien {Cabrel Singing, Aaron Drinking} Après je prends mon pote Sur la radio locale Au milieu d’un discours C’est le temps qu’il espère Au-dessus de son bocal S’il arrive à faire jour…. |
{Cabrel Singing} To begin, there’s this girl In a glass box Who says “Good night, until tomorrow” {Aaron Joins In} Over a clip of music A scrolling list of names (credits) Then afterwards nothing more I was there at 8 o’clock For the bad news She left me all alone With my desires of her Behind her face A landscape of snow (static) And then afterwards nothing more {Cabrel Singing, Aaron Drinking} Afterwards, I caught my pal (buddy) On the local radio station In the middle of a speech It’s the time that he hopes for Above his mouthpiece If daylight appears…. |
NB:
1)la boîte de verre refers to a TV set.
2)Des bonshommes à l’envers literally means upside-down pleasant people, but apparently refers to post-show credits.
3)Pote is a slang word for buddy, or pal but less intimate than friend (ami).
4)Bocal means bowl, jar, or bottle; in this instance, it refers to the mouthpiece of a microphone.
5)S’il arrive à faire jour: if day/light, appears.
1)la boîte de verre refers to a TV set.
2)Des bonshommes à l’envers literally means upside-down pleasant people, but apparently refers to post-show credits.
3)Pote is a slang word for buddy, or pal but less intimate than friend (ami).
4)Bocal means bowl, jar, or bottle; in this instance, it refers to the mouthpiece of a microphone.
5)S’il arrive à faire jour: if day/light, appears.
The song Edition Spéciale is not part of the “chanson” presentation on this website, but the above episode provides a backdoor introduction to Francis Cabrel (b. 1953), a talented and prolific French singer/songwriter, composer and guitarist who presents a refreshing blend of folk, blues, and country. His extensive oeuvre from 1977 to the present includes songs that rank as favorites among many listeners of French music. In both style and content, he is the foremost contemporary representative of the “chanson” tradition.
Cabrel was born in the Southwestern town of Agen to parents from northeast Italy who raised him in the nearby town of Astaffort. The "Bard of Astaffort" continues to live in the town, which became a musical magnet after 1994 when Cabrel helped found the semi-annual Les Rencontres d’Astaffort, a retreat for young musicians. The historic Occitane region where it lies remains key to his development, language, and attachments, as it does for many other natives of the area.
Among his youthful musical influences were an uncle’s Christmas gift of a guitar and the music of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, and James Taylor. He learned both English and guitar by translating their songs and in 2012 he released an album of Dylan songs in translation (“Vise le ciel” or “Aim at the Sky”). His guitar collection has grown to 50+ instruments, and he occasionally sings in the “occitane” language. He wrote his first song at the age of 19. His early successes occurred in song contests in Toulouse (1974) and Spa, Belgium (1978) and brought an entrée to CBS Records. This led to his first hit song in 1979 “Je l’aime à mourir” (“I Love Her to Death”) and to performances the following year at the famed Olympia music hall in Paris.
Among his youthful musical influences were an uncle’s Christmas gift of a guitar and the music of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, and James Taylor. He learned both English and guitar by translating their songs and in 2012 he released an album of Dylan songs in translation (“Vise le ciel” or “Aim at the Sky”). His guitar collection has grown to 50+ instruments, and he occasionally sings in the “occitane” language. He wrote his first song at the age of 19. His early successes occurred in song contests in Toulouse (1974) and Spa, Belgium (1978) and brought an entrée to CBS Records. This led to his first hit song in 1979 “Je l’aime à mourir” (“I Love Her to Death”) and to performances the following year at the famed Olympia music hall in Paris.
Galician Troubadors
Early on, Cabrel was dubbed a “troubadour” in recognition of his occitane roots, his guitar, long hair, bushy mustache, lyrical gifts, captivating melodies and his subtle talent in relating specific events to universal issues and sentiments. Given this legacy, it is fitting that some songs in his most recent album celebrate the “Rockstars du moyen age” (“Medieval Rockstars”).
Cabrel, Then and Now
Over the years, Cabrel lost his long hair and mustache, released 22 studio and live albums with sales totaling at least 25 million records. He earned repute for the meticulous craft with which he sculpts his songs, taking 4-5 years between albums. In 2010 the Académie Française awarded him the Grande médaille de la chanson française. In 2020, he released his most recent album A l’aube revenant (“As Dawn Returns”). He continues touring and his latest excursion in 2024 (the “Trobador Tour”) takes him to North America and Europe. The songs featured on this website span much of his career and exhibit characteristic compelling melodies and poetic lyrics.
NB: On June 6, 2024 Carol and I made an overnight trip to Oakland CA for a Francis Cabrel concert at the Fox Theater. I had the good fortune to collaborate with “France Rocks” in promoting the concert on this website. It was well worth the trip. The 1928 landmark Fox Theater's gem of a building includes a vintage music venue, arts school and restaurant. Physically, its architectural mash-up resembles a Brahmin temple with terra cotta tiles, paintings, and statues. The Meyer Sound system stunned with its power and clarity, accompanied by an arresting lightshow. Who knew there were so many French and francophone people in the Bay Area? The 2800-seat theater, more than double the size of Monterey’s Golden State Theater, was packed with them nearly to capacity. Cabrel threaded his way adeptly through a 24-song setlist of favorites that had the audience singing along and brought them to their feet and into the aisles with a rousing 2-encore finale. These are things that make lifetime memories.
NB: On June 6, 2024 Carol and I made an overnight trip to Oakland CA for a Francis Cabrel concert at the Fox Theater. I had the good fortune to collaborate with “France Rocks” in promoting the concert on this website. It was well worth the trip. The 1928 landmark Fox Theater's gem of a building includes a vintage music venue, arts school and restaurant. Physically, its architectural mash-up resembles a Brahmin temple with terra cotta tiles, paintings, and statues. The Meyer Sound system stunned with its power and clarity, accompanied by an arresting lightshow. Who knew there were so many French and francophone people in the Bay Area? The 2800-seat theater, more than double the size of Monterey’s Golden State Theater, was packed with them nearly to capacity. Cabrel threaded his way adeptly through a 24-song setlist of favorites that had the audience singing along and brought them to their feet and into the aisles with a rousing 2-encore finale. These are things that make lifetime memories.
Cabrel Songs
Je l'aime à mourir, (I Love Her to Death), 1979
L'encre de tes yeux (The Ink of Your Eyes), 1980
Je pense encore à toi (I Still Think of You), 1980
C’est écrit (It is Written), 1989
Je t'aimais, je t'aime, je t'aimerai (I Loved You, I Love You, I Will Love You), 1994
Octobre (October), 1994
Presque rien (Almost Nothing), 1999
Hors saison (Off-Season), 1999
Rockstars du Moyen Age (Medieval Rockstars), 2021
Carte postale (Postcard), 1981
Répondez moi (Answer Me), 1981
Les chevaliers cathares (The Cathar Knights), 1983