Top 10 French pop stars

I am currently trying to torment a replacement for the page below out of my teenage daughters. But first take a look at the big trend in France at the moment - techtonik dancing.

The current heart of this techtonik music / dance / youth movement is 'Yelle' and a song called 'a cause des garcons' (because of the lads). And it must be the first French music to cross the Channel and the Atlantic since Air, a popular popgroup of the 1990's.

See the videos below for more music and if you want to join in with the techtonik dancing...

You may think that the top 'French pop stars' is a contradiction in terms. You may be right. Who cares. In any event I'm too old to judge pop music properly, but I'll give it a shot...

Those of you in the UK can leap straight to Amazon UK to get hold of the best of their offerings - it's a great way to learn French as well, listening to French pop music in the car...

Kyo - France's answer to Radiohead, Kyo have loads of good short catchy songs. they Try and look sullen and tough as well but never quite carry it off. Recommended: Le Chemin

 

M - Funny guy, with his hair greased into a letter M but looks more like the grandad from the Addams Family. Sings nothing like he looks, and manages to get the audience to sing half his songs for him anyway, but there is an appealing rough edge to the songs (or is it shocking amateurishness?)

 

Pascal Obispo - too old and too much of a softy to play the role he tries to play, Obispo manages anyway to sing lots of good, catchy songs (and quite a few drossy sentimental ones as well). Funny habit of shaving lines out of his eyebrows but I expect they'll grow back. Recommended: Superflu

Lara Fabian - smooooth sentimental songs, but I like them, as does half of France. Too old to be a popstar anywhere but Europe, but very attractive with it (which is half the reason she's on this list) Recommended: 9

 

Raphael - kind of a Leonard Cohen of the 21st century, Raphael has an unassuming way of singing - actually not much like Leonard Cohen really, but has the same kind of laidback way. Listen to 'Et Dans Cent Cinquante Ans' for a good sample (chirpy song about how in 150 years time no one will remember you, me or very much else) Recommended: Une Nuit Au Chatelet

 

Laura Pausini - hey, what's she doing here, she's Italian isn't she? Ok yes but very popular in France. The only name for comparison that springs to mind is Kim Wilde, but that isn't a very good one to choose. Laura Pausini is a bit of a rocker, which works great with her strongly sung Italian lyrics - would they sound as good in English or French? Hmmm, not sure really. Recommended: The Best of

 

Nolwenn Leroy - Nolwenn was a subsequent winner of Star Academy. for a couple of years after it looked like she had vanished into the ether, with only a couple of rubbishy songs. But then she reappeared with a new image, new voice and new confidence and burst into superstardom. For good reason - she has discovered her niche and does it very well. What niche? Think Kate Bush (if you are old enough) who Nolwenn seems to owe a great debt. Recommended: Histoires Naturelles

 

Lorie - Winner of one of the first 'Fame Academy' / 'Star Academy' type programmes in France, Lorie went on to be a bit of a megastar (unlike most of the subsequent winners). Lots of nice catchy pop songs. Always seems a bit too grown up. Recommended: Pres De Toi

 

Calogero - Slightly aging rocker, not quite radical, but not too polite sounding either. Good rock/pop songs that you can enjoy and so can your children. And probably grandma. Recommended: Calogero

 

Yannick Noah - lovely guy, lovely songs, slight reggae hint, lots of backing singers...Yannick Noah is the person everybody loves. He started as a very successful French tennis player and is now a very successful French pop star. meanwhile he does all kinds of good and charitable deeds and raises money for good causes. Recommended: Live

 

Johnny Hallyday - Only kidding. No recommendations.