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Your favourite Non-English song?
Is it…
Nina - 99 luftballons
youtube.com/watch?v=Fpu5a0Bl8eY&
or
Plastic Bertrand - Ca Plane Pour Moi
youtube.com/watch?v=wc5vncyWQnY&
or
Amadou and Mariam - la realite
youtube.com/watch?v=7O4lGQsf8Tw&
or
Grace Jones - La vie en rose
youtube.com/watch?v=YEM8TspcCBY&
or
Willeke Alberti - Vlinder van een zomer
youtube.com/watch?v=OkbH8otFKMg&
or
Trio - Da Da Da
youtube.com/watch?v=lNYcviXK4rg&
or
Serge Gainsbourg - Je t'aime... Moi, Non Plus
youtube.com/watch?v=ahHWxwajQL0&
Surely there are no other foreign language tracks that are any good?
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1
In reply to JLS:
Suivant. Jacques Brel
Absolutely anything by Georges Brassens.
Evil Hearted You (cover): Pixies
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In reply to JLS:
Anything by Francoise Hardy. 😍
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6
In reply to JLS:
I used to enjoy Mano Chao when I was backpacking e.g.
youtube.com/watch?v=rs6Y4kZ8qtw&
Recently I've been enjoying some African guitar music (various)
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In reply to Myfyr Tomos:
I was going to day Tous Les garçons et Les filles.
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In reply to JLS:
E Lucevan Le Stelle/Nessun Dorma/Un Bel Di/Vissi d'Arte - Puccini, for starters, but in the spirit of popular music - La Mer, by Charles Trenet.
But 99 Luftballons comes very close...
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In reply to JLS:
Something by Runrig.
4
1
In reply to JLS:
You're trying to get my security details aren't you?
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In reply to Hooo:
Close. I'd probably go for Comment te dire adieu.
1
In reply to petemeads:
Don't you like La Boheme?
1
In reply to JLS:
Since this is a climbing site, here's a song - title is "The Rock Climber"* by the Soviet bard Vladimir Vysotsky from a a climbing drama called "Vertical":
youtube.com/watch?v=ZVJsndq5sZY&
*specifically the feminine form of the noun
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In reply to JLS:
Sous le ciel de Paris, the version by Juliette Greco, who according to Sartre had "a million poems" in her voice - a song worthy of the city of light, literature and lovers.
2
1
In reply to JLS:
Bowie's German language version of Heroes?
In reply to JLS:
Something by Rammstein, probably.
5
In reply to JLS:
An Spealadoir by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh (Irish)
In reply to JLS:
My wife introduced me to "Major Tom"
youtube.com/watch?v=Q_iW4AgFxsI&
Also this which takes me back to the beginning of time as we know it, early 1982 with Ian McNaught-Davis
youtube.com/watch?v=zWSkwvvfmco&
Post edited at 10:09
In reply to JLS:
La Marseillaise
Because its the only one I know the words to and can sign along to with when it's played!
2
In reply to petemeads:
I had La Mer in mind too
4
In reply to Trangia:
I've always had a soft spot for this after hearing coming in on short wave as a kid
youtube.com/watch?v=0yDrtNEr_5M&
as well as the time signature tunes/sounds of all of those other European Capitals from Berne to Tirana that used to there
4
In reply to wercat:
Another moving National Anthem is this because it's multi racial
1
In reply to JLS:
катюша
In reply to JLS:
Je ne regrette rien is pretty good.
Or there's a ton of amazing african music out there - I'm no expert but anything by Baaba Maal, Ali Farka Toure, Bhundu Boys... Thokozile by Malathini and the Mahotella Queens
4
In reply to ripper:
The doc about the bhundu boys with John peel was great, didn't he burst into tears when they came on stage in the UK?
2
1
In reply to Enty:
> Mory Kanté - Yeke Yeke
> End of thread, thanks,
> Enty
I see you the original version and raise you the Hardfloor and Afro Acid remixes
In reply to Trangia:
> Another moving National Anthem is this because it's multi racial
I've always lover the SA national anthem, here's one of my fav versions youtube.com/watch?v=gh-uFTlgd1A&
1
In reply to JLS:
Most of the Cocteau Twins back catalogue??
4
In reply to JLS:
Complainte pour Ste-Cathérine - Kate and Anna McGarrigle
youtube.com/watch?v=8mc8DTJ1DUg&
Also: youtube.com/watch?v=s5wQNywy3GY&
Post edited at 11:47
2
In reply to JLS:
Quite a bit of this lot; they do songs in French, English and Spanish.
youtube.com/watch?v=d45Sue04tfw&
also
In reply to JLS:
One of Strauss’ Four Last Song or Foux Da Fa Fa, Flight of the Conchords.
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In reply to wercat:
> I had La Mer in mind too
And me. Or Ne Me Quitte Pas by Jacques Brel.
My favourite track in English by a French band is Porno by the Lanskies (careful how you google it!)
Post edited at 14:21
2
In reply to JLS:
This always amuses me
youtube.com/watch?v=twJ8R-6MANs&
Je veux danser la polka
J'la veux danser tes bras
J'la veux danser tout d'suite
J'la veux danser toute cuite
etc
But I've no idea what my favourite 'non-English' song is, I suspect maybe a third of the songs at home are in French (live in France, French wife)
Post edited at 15:13
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1
1
In reply to JLS:
Not necessarily my favourite but to introduce some Russian: Otava Yo
1
In reply to JLS:
Tom Waits - Kommienezuspadt
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In reply to steveriley:
> Four Last Song s
Beim Schlafengehen for me, yet another example of great classical music introduced to me via the medium of cinema.
2
In reply to TechnoJim:
It was actually the Afro Acid Remix I meant - real banger back in 87-88 when acid house was taking off.
E
1
In reply to JLS: loads, and some from after 1995!!!
Try the delicieuse musique mix on Spotify, YouTube etc
1
In reply to JLS:
No specific song or artist, but the lyrics are often better in languages you don't understand.
Occasionally when the same artist you really like sings in English you realise the lyrics are inane pap. Sometimes it's better not to understand and think it is something deeper.
3
In reply to Enty:
It's a belter. Richie Hawtin was using it a lot in his sets a few years back, I only knew the Hardfloor version from when I was originally out chin-swinging. I like 'em both but if I had to keep only one it would be the Afro Acid mix.
2
In reply to elsewhere:
I spent some time in a male voice choir and my favourite song was "Gwahoddiad" but we sang the English words. It's much better to hear it in its native tongue and probably by Welsh speakers. Cerys Matthews does a nice version but names it after the first line of the chorus."Arglwydd Dyma Fi"
In reply to Mark Kemball:
Timely but I thing I prefer The Kingston Trio's version.
In reply to Tom Valentine:
I listened to Cerys' version and didn't enjoy it, the Morriston Orpheus choir was much better and I can see the attraction of singing it, thanks for the heads up. Re: La Boheme, it's fine but not my favourite.
Another classic non-english song is O Magnum Mysterium by Morton Lauridson which I missed off my original selection, thanks to Radio 3 for reminding me.
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In reply to JLS:
I hadn’t even thought of what day it is! But yes, very timely. I find Marlena Dietrich’s version so powerful - the hairs on the back of my head stand up. I also think the German lyrics are stronger - “Uber Graben weint der Wind” (not sure of spelling) feels much more evocative than “gone to graveyards”.
In reply to petemeads:
I've never been bothered enough about the story in La Boheme to go and see it live even though I love most of the arias. Tosca is a different matter altogether.
Post edited at 15:46
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In reply to JLS:
Con te Partiro
1
In reply to JLS:
Fauxfile Charlotte Cardin and any of Christine and the Queens.
In reply to JLS:
How can we have got this far down, and particularly on this very day, without anyone suggesting Lili Marlene - either by Marlene Dietrich or (my personal favourite by far) the great June Tabor? If you haven't heard June Tabor's live version, it's on YouTube, and I would urge you to give it a listen.
In reply to John Ww:
And of course for our Geman contributors, the immortal Schlager classic - Atemlos durch die Nacht. You have my apologies.
In reply to Tom Valentine:
Klasse 😂
In reply to John Ww:
Having said that about Atemlos - Helene Fischer 🤪😍
In reply to mrphilipoldham:
Was going to say Rammstein but you beat me to it! I would also add the Hu are pretty good....cant be many Mongolian options!
In reply to JLS:
Anything by Shonen Knife, punky Japanese girls who are still bouncing around and yelling after more than 30 years 😀
Most of their songs mix Japanese and English lyrics; as far as I can tell, this one is Japanese only.
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In reply to JLS:
Dead Can Dance – Summoning of the Muse
Sheila Chandra – ABoneCroneDrone 5
Soojin Suh – Summer (Feat. Baum Sae) youtube.com/watch?v=XSDw-T1xRDo&
György Kurtág – In a space of (Messages of the Late Miss R.V. Troussova: 1)
Kaija Saariaho – Looking at you (Leino Songs: 1)
In reply to JLS:
Gotta be either Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares - Ergen Deda (next level embroidery too)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4iFF79zBJQ&
or something by Astor Piazzolla like Adios Nonino
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTPec8z5vdY&
or Libertango (can't find a YouTube version I like)
1
In reply to felt:
Oh yes to both.
I saw Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares at The Fringe 20-odd years ago. Enchanting, and the voices go right through you. The embroidery was pretty hardcore too.
1
In reply to Carless:
> Not necessarily my favourite but to introduce some Russian: Otava Yo
Really enjoyed that. Looks like an idyllic lifestyle.
In reply to JLS: Not German... nor from the 80's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IDinBbiIUY&list=RDsFP7jVIxE2c&inde...
and something else...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IDinBbiIUY&list=RDsFP7jVIxE2c&inde... 'Lette Mbulu Mahalela'.
In reply to 65:
> The embroidery was pretty hardcore too.
I was brought up in Bulgaria during the 70s, where two of my sisters caught the embroidery bug, so much so that every Christmas I was given yet another Bulgarian-style embroidered table setting (all I wanted was a nice white shirt with the delicate red and green patterning). I still have a deep yearning for that distinctive Balkan smell of roasted peppers, petrol, dark tobacco, and deep-fried cheese, spinach and filo pastry, but I guess that if I ever return I'll simply be grasping at shadows.
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In reply to JLS:
The Bulgarian national anthem is catchy. It includes mountains and the sparkling Danube:
youtube.com/watch?v=9RBmnMsO_B8&
It's my nightly listening
1
In reply to JLS:
youtube.com/watch?v=94QB7xfOkqM&
I will not forget the joy I got from hearing this live at a WOMAD the recordings just don't cut it
Post edited at 21:23
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In reply to JLS:
Surely Amhrán na bhFiann has got to be up there or
The Boys of the Old Brigade
Down by the Glenside
In reply to TechnoJim:
I just love the dancer: youtube.com/watch?v=hdeoNf62A6s&
If I had just half that energy when I'm climbing I'd shoot up two grades!
In reply to Nigel Coe:
I was expecting that link to be this: youtube.com/watch?v=YDZ9HYCAknc&
Good energy both
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In reply to JLS:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m....3MDG
You can end the thread here....
In reply to JLS:
youtube.com/watch?v=F6hGc7S8d88&
Or anything by Sigur Rós, especially the album () which isn't even in Icelandic.
I'd typed The Return of Ruebezahl by Amon Duul II youtube.com/watch?v=Sg67exWYxYw& but then realised it has no words, so it has to be Deutsch Nepal by the same team youtube.com/watch?v=MkA74QZ5tjo&
1
In reply to JLS:
The only one I know the words to is A Las Barricadas so its got to be that:
In reply to profitofdoom:
> The Bulgarian national anthem is catchy. It includes mountains and the sparkling Danube:
> It's my nightly listening
Oh my god, that is dreadful by any standards!!
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In reply to Gordon Stainforth:
> by any standards!!
'God Save the Queen', cough cough
It's absolutely tremendous, and, as Macca said, if you stood arm in arm with your brothers and sisters in the sun-kissed Rozova dolina you'd feel it too.
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In reply to JLS:
I always forget how dark the German ending of 99 red balloons was...
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In reply to hokkyokusei:
I was just about to suggest Sigur Ros. Instead, nostalgia for my youth (rather than musical excellence) has me reaching for something from Gorky's Zygotic Mynchi's back catalogue, maybe Merched Yn Neud Gwallt Eu Gilydd (Girls doing each others' hair), although the chorus is in English:
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