Alison Garwood Jones

Je chante

January 13, 2011

I’ve made lots of mistakes in my time, but I narrowly missed this one: background music on my website.

When I launched my site last January, I imagined my home page, seen here,

Home Page 2

… uploading to the sound of Charles Trenet‘s plucky 1940s song, Je Chante (♪I Sing♪). It reminds me of snooty French curators, Jean-Paul Sartre’s wandering eye and primary schoolers in boater hats lining up for a field trip. Of course, none of these things have anything to do with my life, but I find all of it strange and interesting and totally charmants.

Still, the song works better as a post, not a permanent feature.

Sit back, then, close your eyes and listen all the way through as Trenet’s Frenchiness intensifies. “Qui, Qui, Qui, Qui!” he growls at the one minute: fifty mark. 

If you’re anything like me you’ll laugh out loud and settle into a warm, soignée feeling.

(Note: the freeze frame on this video is unfortunate — the outstretched arm and all. Trenet was actually a significant figure in the French resistance.)


 

3 responses to “Je chante”

  1. Alec Scott says:

    You've inspired me: going out to get a morning baguette in the Deux Chevaux wearing the beret David keeps helpfully near the driver's seat! Yes, Frenchness distilled in this nice recording (I like the crackles)! Did you read the Julia Child love-letter to la truly belle pays, My Life in France?

  2. AlisonGJ says:

    Ah, but it's "Frenchiness," Alec, à la Colbert!!! I love the crackles too! Bon Journée.

  3. patricia says:

    j'adore! j'adore! j'adore!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!