In the song, what memory of the violence overseas?

As deadly riots broke out in New Caledonia, let’s look back at the traces left in popular music by state violence

We don’t ask singers for analyzes of academic finesse. But they often speak words that simplify reality so much that it borders on myth. Thus, in 1988, Renaud published Trivial pursuita cookie-cutter song evoking Eloi Machoro, Kanak independence leader killed by a gendarmerie sniper – and this song, openly advocating the independence of New Caledonia, was released a few weeks before the signing of the Matignon agreements which put an end to several years of deadly unrest.

In the context of the outbreak of violence which gripped New Caledonia after the vote in Paris on the law on the unfreezing of the electorate, listening to this song again does not lack irony – another simple vision stated at 23 hours of flight from reality. Of course, a little finesse wouldn’t hurt when we talk about New Caledonia.

In the first episode of These songs that make the news this weekend you hear excerpts from:

Renaud, Trivial Pursuit, 1988

Raft, Yaka danced, 1987

Raphaël Zachille, Nice dog minus, 1967

Tino Saint Val, Reconciliation, 1967

Kassav’, Pa ni pwoblem, 1995

Kolo Barst, February 74, 2008

Ti Malo, Man blows, 2014

Jean-Philippe Marthély, If its riveted, 1964 (1996 recording)

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And you can also find the podcast on this link Behind our voices, with the writing and composition secrets of eight major artists of the French scene, Laurent Voulzy, Julien Clerc, Bénabar, Dominique A, Carla Bruni, Emily Loizeau, Juliette and Gaëtan Roussel.