For several generations, these few timpani notes and this modulating wave are the memory of the programs of Free France broadcast by the BBC from London. And when Gilbert Bécaud makes them hear to speak of the voice of General de Gaulle, many French people are instinctively at attention.
And it is with de Gaulle that we begin today a series of chronicles on the presidents of the Fifth Republic – since he is the first of our presidents elected by direct universal suffrage, as France will do on the 10th and 24th April.
From week to week, we will talk about all the presidents, but Charles de Gaulle is more than that. Yes, he founded the Fifth Republic in 1958, of which he was the first president.
We often forget that he was not elected by the people on December 21, 1958, but by 80,000 electors – themselves parliamentarians or local elected officials.
It was not until 1965 that the first presidential election as we know it today took place. And that’s when Gilbert Bécaud speaks.
In the first episode of These songs that make the news this weekend, you hear excerpts from:
Gilbert Becaud, You will regret it1965
Leo Ferre, My general1962
Serge Lama, Of France1980
Mireille Mathieu, DeGaulle1989
Benash, Ghetto2017
Alkapot, Nautilus2019
Gilbert Becaud, You will regret it1965
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Remember: during the summer of 2019, La Playlist de Françoise Hardy was a crossing of the musical baggage of an author, composer and performer considered as the arbiter of the elegance of pop in France.
In July and August 2017, we spent A Summer in Souchon, during which Alain Souchon guided us on a tasty walk through a lifetime of love for song.
All summer 2016, in the company of Vincent Delerm, we wandered around in La Playlist Amoureuse de la Chanson, truant exploration of popular heritage. You can also extend the delicacies of this summer chronicle with the French song lovers dictionary, co-published by Plon and franceinfo.