N’importe nawak

This post is really just an ad for La chanson du dimanche—two guys in Paris who write a song every week and post a video on the Web of their performance of it every Sunday. They started doing this back in 2007 and began to get attention in the (French) press last fall, when they were in the middle of a series of particularly great tunes. Most of their songs are topical: worries about “le pouvoir d’achat” (buying power), Miss France, Nicolas et Rachida, etc.

Every video begins with an enthusiastic “La pêche !”, which might be translated as something like “Let’s go!” (avoir la pêche = to be in form, feeling good, full of energy). Here’s one of my favorite numbers, “Petit cheminot,” about a public transportation strike. The song is sung from the point of view of a British tourist (note the accent!) who wonders what’s going on.

All or most of their videos are available on YouTube. Their Web site is http://lachansondudimanche.com/. And here’s a recent article about them published in the Nouvel Obs.

Camille Paglia, writing in Salon, contrasts the “empty, mechanical attitudinizing” of Sports Illustrated swimsuit models with Charlotte Gainsbourg singing in a “deliciously relaxed duet” with Etienne Daho:

“Here’s natural, invigorating French womanliness on display again in the supply expressive Gainsbourg. And despite the intermittent corniness of French pop, what an affectingly simple and evocative performance — a mature man and a sophisticated young woman exchanging meaningful glances and exploring a palette of authentic emotions.”  

And here’s the video–you can judge for yourself. (This post is partly just an excuse to try posting a video.)