7 Modern Meaningful Songs to Help You Learn French

If you enjoy listening to music as much as you enjoy learning French, you've come to the right place.

We've compiled a list of hits so you can learn French while listening to songs you'll enjoy.

And we won't just recommend new French songs for your playlist.

Every song on this list includes a helpful description of what to look for in the lyrics and essential vocabulary and phrases to remember.

7 Soulful French Songs for the Modern Learner

1. "Ta fête" ("Your celebration") Stromae's

Intermediate level

What you will discover: A popular colloquial expression associated with the word "party" (fête).

Stromae is a Belgian musician you've most likely heard of. He took the world by storm with his danceable, intense French songs that frequently criticize societal norms and expectations—all of which he wrote himself. The song "Ta Fête" is a significant wordplay on the concept of partying.

In French, adding a reflexive pronoun—in this case, "te"—to an expression can completely alter its meaning. Join the best French language classes for the best results if you want to become fluent in the language.

While "Tu fais la fête" ("you do the party") means "to bash you, to give you what's coming to you, to give you a good scolding," "Je te fais la fête" ("I do the party to you") means "to bash you, to give you what's coming to you, to give you a good scolding."

As a result, the song is an ironic take on nightlife, partying, selfish living, and a group of people who disapprove of the lifestyle and want to punish them. The song's slow rhythm and short sentences make it easier to understand for intermediate learners!

In this song, there are some useful French expressions:

It is l'heure (it is time).

Tu vas danser (You will dance).

Tu veux faire ta fête / Ta mère veux te faire aussi (You want to have your party / Your mother wants to do it to you as well — to scold you)

2. Bleu Toucan's "Hano Café"

Beginner's level

What you will learn: A short song that you will quickly memorize.

French music can become overwhelming when the lyrics are overcrowded, fast, and filled with slang. This is where "Hano Café" comes in: an upbeat, summery tune with a mix of indie and electronic music that is easy to dance and sing along to.

The song is composed of two paragraphs that repeat themselves, so keeping up with the lyrics isn't too tricky. This is a great option when you need something accessible that isn't children's content!

In this song, there are some useful French expressions:

Hano café, where the sun rises

Hano café, where the path ends (Hano café, where the way ends)

The kids are drawing your face (The children draw your face)

3. Maître Gims' "Sapés comme jamais" ("Dressed like never before").

Advanced level

You'll discover Numerous references to partying, clothing brands, and African cultures.

Maître Gims, a French musician of Congolese origin, has established a completely new style in his own right. He inspired many other Congolese descendants to try their luck in music and be seen by fusing hip hop with traditional African dance rhythms.

This song is about getting dressed up as you've never done before to rule the dance floor! It's best suited for advanced French learners who aren't put off by a fast rhythm and a slew of references to brands and public figures that aren't always obvious on first listen.

Finally, Gims concludes the song by mentioning some French-speaking African cities! Can you recognize them?

In this song, there are some useful French expressions:

Higher hands, higher hands (Raise your hands, raise your hands)

Continue on the path (Move to the dance floor)

Paris is truly magical. (Paris is genuinely enchanting.)

4. "Je te promets" means "I promise you." by Zaho

Intermediate level

What you'll learn: How to say "would like" in French.

Some things cannot be guaranteed. That's what Algerian-Canadian musician Zaho sings about in this heartfelt song about reuniting, fighting again, and not being able to see a stable future.

However, she continues to mention everything she and her partner would like to see happen, although nothing is certain. Because "Je te promets" has a slow rhythm, clear pronunciation, and vocabulary focused on emotions, dreams, and relationships, it's appropriate for intermediate learners—and an excellent opportunity to practice the phrase "I would like" ("j'aimerais").

In this song, there are some useful French expressions:

I'd like to tell you that I'd like to be with you for the rest of my life (You would like me to say to you I would love you my entire life)

I'd like to hide under your paupières (I would like to hide under your eyelids)

I'd like for time to stand still when we speak (I would like time to stop when we talk)

5. "Demain c'est toi" (It's you tomorrow) by Zaz

Intermediate level

What you'll discover: The simple present tense

With her distinct voice and unconventional tunes, Zaz has become an unavoidable influence in French music. Although "On ira" ("We Will Go") is her most famous song, "Demain c'est toi" is an equally touching song about empathy, compassion, standing up, and being vulnerable to others, even if they are strangers to us.

The lyrics may appear complex because some verbs aren't used in everyday conversation. Still, the rhythm is conducive to language learning. Furthermore, most of the verbs used are in the simple present tense, making it simple for you to become acquainted with more verbs in this general sense.

In this song, there are some useful French expressions:

I open my heart wide to you as one opens one's hands (I open my heart wide to you as one opens one's hands).

I'm learning the alphabets for each of your gestures (I learn the alphabets of each one of your gestures)

I'll give you the keys to all the safes (I give you the keys that open all chests)

6. "On était beau" ("We were lovely") Louane's

Beginner to lower-intermediate level

What you will learn: Emotional, city, and routine vocabulary.

Louane, a young French singer and actress, rose to prominence after receiving a César Award for her performance as Paula in the French film "La Famille Bélier" ("The Bélier Family"). In "On était beau," she reveals how she obsesses over her former lover, with whom she shared many meaningful moments.

She almost can't believe her relationship is over as she walks through the city, saying, "On était beau, pourtant on accélérait sans freins / On s'aimait top pour s'aimer bien." ("We were beautiful, but we were moving at breakneck speed / We loved each other too much to love each other well").

The song's structure is repetitive and straightforward, making it ideal for beginners and lower-intermediate French learners.

It also mentions several words we use in everyday life, from city locations to standard vocabularies, such as un soir (an evening), le Brouillard (the fog), or Je me réveille (I wake up).

In this song, there are some useful French expressions:

On the trottoirs, I'm thinking of you (On the pavements, I think of you)

I'm thinking of you as I walk down the street (On the boulevards, I think of you)

I'm thinking of you as I listen to the echoes (Under the street lamps, I think of you)

7. Arcadian's "Folie arcadian" ("Arcadian madness")

Intermediate level

What you will learn: Music vocabulary.

When you're having one of those days where you all want positivity, good vibes, great music, and a relaxing sunset, the French and Swiss band Arcadian has something special for you. "Folie arcadian" is a happy summer song that invites you to walk the hipster corners of Paris with the band members, getting to know its colorful spots and enjoying the Seine River.

Music, beats, instruments, and dance are all mentioned in the lyrics. A fun way to add some rhythm and life to your French vocabulary!

In this song, there are some useful French expressions:

Are you aware of the pulsations? (Do you notice any vibrations?)

In the aftermath of the Seine's banks (At an after-party on the Seine's banks)

Everything blends when we speak (To the sound of our voices, everything blends)

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