Gilbert Bécaud

Biography

François Gilbert Léopold Silly (24 October 1927 – 18 December 2001), known professionally as Gilbert Bécaud (French pronunciation: [ʒilbɛʁ beko]), was a French singer, composer, pianist and actor, known as "Monsieur 100,000 Volts" for his energetic performances. His best-known hits are "Nathalie×Nathalie3 February 2003 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1L’important c’est la rose3:412Quand il est mort le poète2:583Je t’appartiens2:494Le Jour où la pluie viendra2:385L’Orange2:526Mes mains2:127Et maintenant3:418À remettre à mon fils quand il aura seize ans3:299Le Bain de minuit3:1310La solitude, ça n’existe pas3:2911Seul sur son étoile3:3412Dimanche à Orly3:2413Nathalie4:0614Le Pianiste de Varsovie3:5215Le Petit Oiseau de toutes les couleurs2:5016Je t’aime2:58" and "Et maintenant×Et maintenantDecember 1961 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Et maintenant3:40A2Le Condamné2:00B1Dans ces moments-là2:40B2Toi, le musicien3:15", a 1961 release that became an English language hit as "What Now My Love". He remained a popular artist for nearly fifty years, identifiable in his dark blue suits, with a white shirt and "lucky tie"; blue with white polka dots. When asked to explain his gift he said, "A flower doesn't understand botany." His favourite venue was the Paris Olympia under the management of Bruno Coquatrix. He debuted there in 1954 and headlined in 1955, attracting 6,000 on his first night, three times the capacity. On 13 November 1997, Bécaud was present for the re-opening of the venue after its reconstruction.

Biography

Born in Toulon, France, Bécaud learned to play the piano at a young age, and then went to the Conservatoire de Nice. In 1942, he left school to join the French Resistance during World War II. He began songwriting in 1948, after meeting Maurice Vidalin, who inspired him to write his early compositions. He began writing for Marie Bizet; Bizet, Bécaud and Vidalin became a successful trio, and their partnership lasted until 1950.
In 1952, he married Monique Nicholas. They had three children.
While touring with Jacques Pills as a pianist, Bécaud met Édith Piaf, Pills' wife at the time. He began singing at her suggestion in 1953, with "Mes Mains×Mes mains19 November 1964 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Mes mains2:40A2Quand tu danses2:05A3Les Croix4:50A4Alors, raconte...3:55A5C'était mon copain3:10A6Et maintenant (version 1961)3:41B1La Corrida4:10B2Le Jour où la pluie viendra2:20B3Le Pianiste de Varsovie4:10B4Les Marchés de Provence3:55B5Je veux te dire adieu2:40B6La Ballade des baladins3:40" and "Les Croix". His first performance came the year after. His hits in the later part of the decade included "La Corrida×La Corrida1956 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1La Corrida4:13A2Ça claque2:21B1Le Pianiste de Varsovie3:50B2Je t’ai ouvert les yeux2:36" (1956), "Le Jour où la Pluie Viendra" (1957), and "C'est Merveilleux L'amour×C'est merveilleux l'amour1958 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Viens danser2:25A2Alleluia3:20B1Ran-tan-plan2:39B2C'est merveilleux l'amour2:07" (1958).
His first hit in the English-speaking world was Jane Morgan's cover version of "Le jour où la pluie viendra" (as "The Day the Rains Came", with English lyrics by Carl Sigman) in 1958. He began acting in the same period, starting with "Le Pays D'où Je Viens" (1956). In 1960, he won a Grand Prix du Disque and composed "L'enfant à L'étoile×L'Enfant à l'étoile1961 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksA1L'Enfant à l'étoileB1L'Enfant à l'étoile," a Christmas cantata. That same year, "Let It Be Me", an English version of his "Je t'appartiens", became a hit for the Everly Brothers, followed, over the years, by Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, Elvis Presley, The 5th Dimension, Willie Nelson, Jerry Butler, Sam & Dave and James Brown.
In 1973 he married Kitty Saint-John, with whom he had two children. He died of cancer at the age of 74.

Career from 1960

In 1961, Bécaud wrote and recorded "Et Maintenant×Et maintenantDecember 1961 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Et maintenant3:40A2Le Condamné2:00B1Dans ces moments-là2:40B2Toi, le musicien3:15", one of the biggest selling singles in French history. Translated as "What Now My Love", the song became a hit by Shirley Bassey, Sonny & Cher, Elvis Presley, Judy Garland, Andy Williams, Herb Alpert and Frank Sinatra.
In 1962, he completed his largest composition, the 2-act opera L'Opéra d'Aran, which was premiered at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées on 25 October 1962 (Georges Prêtre conductor). The plot of the opera takes place on the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, although Bécaud had never been to Ireland before.
After the opera's performances, he toured Europe and continued recording a string of pop music hits, including "Crois-moi ça durera" and "Tu le regretteras×Tu le regretterasSeptember 1965 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Tu le regretteras2:52A2Quand il est mort le poète2:54B1Je t’aime2:59B2Les Jours meilleurs2:20". He also co-wrote "Love on the Rocks" with Neil Diamond, which was featured on the soundtrack of The Jazz Singer and was an international hit. In addition, he co-wrote "September Morn" with Diamond. Other songs he co-wrote with Diamond on the album "The Jazz Singer" were "Summerlove", "On the Robert E. Lee","Hey Louise" and "Songs of Life".
Marlene Dietrich recorded his "Marie, Marie" and performed it in her stage shows.
He wrote the song "Nathalie×Nathalie3 February 2003 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1L’important c’est la rose3:412Quand il est mort le poète2:583Je t’appartiens2:494Le Jour où la pluie viendra2:385L’Orange2:526Mes mains2:127Et maintenant3:418À remettre à mon fils quand il aura seize ans3:299Le Bain de minuit3:1310La solitude, ça n’existe pas3:2911Seul sur son étoile3:3412Dimanche à Orly3:2413Nathalie4:0614Le Pianiste de Varsovie3:5215Le Petit Oiseau de toutes les couleurs2:5016Je t’aime2:58" to the text by Pierre Delanoë about a female Moscow guide in 1964. Bécaud visited Moscow in 1965 allegedly invited by students. The Czech writer Bohumil Doležal commented that the song described the guide as a KGB officer. A Russian blogger claimed that guides reported to KGB officers. The song was used to soften the image of the Soviet Union, despite Pierre Delanoë's anti-Soviet views.
His song "Seul sur son étoile×Seul sur son étoileMarch 1966 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Seul sur son étoile3:32A2Le Petit Oiseau de toutes les couleurs2:47B1Viens dans la lumière3:01B2Le Petit Prince est revenu" became "It Must Be Him" (with English lyrics by Mack David), a hit in 1967 for the American singer Vikki Carr, and the following year another Bécaud song, "L'important c'est la rose×L'important c'est la rose1967 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1L'important c'est la rose3:40A2Bienvenue parmi nous2:15B1Merci beaucoup2:55B2Dans le lit d'un homme d'affaires2:45" was given an English lyric (by Norman Newell) and became a hit for the British singer Vince Hill under the title "Importance of Your Love".
On 19 June 1968, the American Broadcasting Company aired a half-hour colour special starring Bécaud that had been taped in Saarbrücken. Bécaud performed "Nathalie", "Mademoiselle Lise" and "The Day the Rains Came" and sang a duet with Inge Brück, "Sand and Sea". The programme also featured performances by João Gilberto, Lill Lindfors and Hans Koller.
Bécaud turned his focus more toward touring than recording in the 1970s. An example was his live performance at the festival The Golden Orpheus in June 1971 in Communist Bulgaria. He followed this with some acting work and at last finally took time off in 1973, citing exhaustion. In 1974, he was named Chevalier in the Légion d'honneur. The following year, he scored his one and only entry on the UK Singles Chart with "A Little Love and Understanding×A Little Love and Understanding1975 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1A Little Love and UnderstandingA2The MasqueradeA3Something MissingA4If Only I Could Live My Life AgainA5It's Wonderful to Be AliveA6What Now My LoveB1The Importance of Your LoveB2The Mexican Singing BirdB3Sand and SeaB4The Day the Rains CameB5My Pretty Summer PrincessB6Living", which reached number 10 in the spring. The song also became his first and only chart hit in Australia, reaching number 19 in the winter. Later in the century, he began writing with Pierre Grosz and then Neil Diamond, also penning the Broadway musical Roza with Julian More.
In 1982, he recorded the duet "L'Amour est mort" with Québécoise singer Martine St. Clair at the start of her career.
The 1980s and 1990s, saw a slowdown of Bécaud's activity. He released various compilations and toured occasionally.
On 18 December 2001, he died from lung cancer, aged 74, on his houseboat on the Seine, and was interred in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Bécaud's song catalogue, running to around 450 songs, is published by BMG Music Publishing.
Bécaud's song "L'Orange" was the featured track in one of the trailers of the movie Léon (aka The Professional) by Luc Besson.

Studio albums

1953 : Gilbert Bécaud et ses chansons
1954 : Young Man of Paris in Moods of Love (recorded in New York)
1955 : Récital N° 1 – Mes grands succès
1956 : Alors raconte
1958 : Salut les copains
1959 : Pilou... Pilou... hé
1961 : Tête de bois
1962 : Le Bateau blanc
1964 : Le Pianiste de Varsovie
1969 : L'Un d'entre eux inventa la mort
1972 : Gilbert raconte et Bécaud chante
1974 : Hier et aujourd'hui
1975 : Je t'aime mon frère
1976 : L'Amour c'est l'affaire des gens
1978 : C'est en septembre
1980 : Moi, je veux chanter
1981 : Bonjour la vie
1984 : On attend, on attend
1987 : Le Retour
1989 : Fais-moi signe
1993 : Une vie comme un roman
1996 : Ensemble
1999 : Faut faire avec

Live albums

1955–2002: 15 different albums all live at Olympia
Plus rarities:

1957 : À l'Olympia – no 2
1971 : Récital du festival de l'Orphée d'or 71 (Bulgarian release, with 4 more tracks by Jennifer)
1978 : Au Québec – Récital en direct du Grand Théâtre de Québec
2013 : Concerts inédits 1956–1958

Operas, musical comedies, compositions

1960 : L'Enfant à l’Étoile (cantate de Noël) (with Orchestre Philharmonique, and choir of ORTF)
1962 : L'Opéra d'Aran – (2-act opera, music by Bécaud. But he didn't sing on the tracks)
1965 : Concerto pour piano
1972 : La Répétition
1976 : Heureux comme un poisson dans l'eau (publicité)
1986 : Roza (musical)
1992 : Aran Opéra (double CD on RCA/BMG, recorded live in 1966, sung by Bécaud)

Soundtracks

1971 : La Maison sous les arbres (instrumental)
2007 : Roman de gare

Compilations

1959 : Croquemitoufle (compilation 1953–1958)
1988 : Bécaulogie (9 CD collection)
1997 : Bécolympia (2 CDs, 38 tracks live, 1955–1983)
2003: Bécolympia (re-released with different order of track list and 1 more bonus)
2002 : 50 Ans en Chansons (Long box 3 CDs, many unreleased materials)
2004 : 100 Chansons d'or (4 CDs, with 6 unreleased tracks)
2009 : Best of (3 CDs, 49 tracks)
2011 : Best of Eternel (2 CDs, 46 tracks remastered)
2011 : Anthologie Gilbert Becaud 1953–1959 (edited by Frémeaux & Associés – 2 CDs, 36 tracks chosen by André Bernard)
2011 : Essentiel (12 CD box, 9 studio albums remastered, plus best singles + 2 CDs live (Best of Olympia 1955–1983) + 1 CD of bonus tracks + 64-page booklet of text and rare photos)
2012 : Best of 3 CD (live at l'Olympia + the album Une vie comme un roman×Une vie comme un romanFebruary 1993 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Ouverture2:192Quand t’es petit dans le midi3:423Oh ! Que Paris c’est loin2:354Ma première chanson (J’l’ai pas finie)3:375Il est à moi (l’Olympia)5:036La Balade américaine4:107Tu marches à Broadway4:168Aran (l’Opéra)3:439Et salut les copains3:0910La Cabane blue3:3711Mea culpa3:4012La Dame de Saint-Paul3:4913Du sable dans les mains3:3214Mon agenda4:0515Une vie comme un torrent4:0616Chanter c’est ma liberté2:58 + parts from album Ensemble×EnsembleNovember 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Les Enfants aux cheveux blancs2:582De Only You à Maintenant3:313Attention, attention2:434Y’a qu’la musique qui nous aime bien4:175Ensemble3:276Mal sans vous3:047L’Amérique m’a fait cocu3:168Madame Roza2:499La Belle Journée4:1610Parler l’amour3:10 and Fais-moi signe×Fais-moi signe1989 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Avec vingt ans de moins3:532Le Poivre de Cayenne4:533Quand la musique s’arrête3:404Fais-moi signe3:565Après toi c’est la mer3:306Bécaud3:557L’Ombre et l’Enfant3:358Star qui rit, star qui pleure3:129Les cas désespérés seront prioritaires3:2410China Song3:14 + 3 bonus tracks in German, Sony Music release)
2012 : 100 Chansons (4 CDs, with 8 unreleased tracks from a concert at L’Olympia in 1960)

1950s

"Mes mains×Mes mains19 November 1964 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1Mes mains2:40A2Quand tu danses2:05A3Les Croix4:50A4Alors, raconte...3:55A5C'était mon copain3:10A6Et maintenant (version 1961)3:41B1La Corrida4:10B2Le Jour où la pluie viendra2:20B3Le Pianiste de Varsovie4:10B4Les Marchés de Provence3:55B5Je veux te dire adieu2:40B6La Ballade des baladins3:40"
"Les Croix"
"Mé qué mé qué×Mé qué mé qué2007 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1La Ballade des baladins3:042Viens2:133Marianne de ma jeunesse3:064La Corrida4:165Ding-dong, sonnez1:586Mé qué mé qué2:247Alors raconte4:108Mes mains2:059Ah ! Dites-moi pourquoi je l’aime2:0910Accroche-toi à ton étoile2:3011Le Pianiste de Varsovie3:5312Donne-moi3:3713Toi, l’oiseau2:3714Le Grand Magasin2:4615Je t’appartiens2:4916Les Tambours et l’Amour1:5217Moi, je sais1:5218Le Pays d’où je viens2:43"
"Les enfants oubliés"
"Je t'appartiens"
"Les Marchés de Provence"
"Le jour où la pluie viendra"
"La Ballade des baladins"
"Salut les copains×Salut les copains14 October 1958 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Salut les copainsA2Ça claqueA3Le Jour où la pluie viendraA4Le Pays d’où je viensB1Il fait des bonds… Le Pierrot qui danseB2ÇaB3La VilleB4Les Marchés de Provence"

1960s

"Et maintenant×Et maintenantDecember 1961 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Et maintenant3:40A2Le Condamné2:00B1Dans ces moments-là2:40B2Toi, le musicien3:15"
"(Âge tendre et) Tête de bois"
"Dimanche à Orly×Dimanche à OrlyMay 1963 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Dimanche à Orly3:242Trop beau2:233Au revoir2:534Heureusement y’a les copains2:19"
"Quand Jules est au violon"
"Nathalie×Nathalie3 February 2003 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1L’important c’est la rose3:412Quand il est mort le poète2:583Je t’appartiens2:494Le Jour où la pluie viendra2:385L’Orange2:526Mes mains2:127Et maintenant3:418À remettre à mon fils quand il aura seize ans3:299Le Bain de minuit3:1310La solitude, ça n’existe pas3:2911Seul sur son étoile3:3412Dimanche à Orly3:2413Nathalie4:0614Le Pianiste de Varsovie3:5215Le Petit Oiseau de toutes les couleurs2:5016Je t’aime2:58"
"L'Orange"
"Quand il est mort le poète"
"L'important c'est la rose×L'important c'est la rose1967 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1L'important c'est la rose3:40A2Bienvenue parmi nous2:15B1Merci beaucoup2:55B2Dans le lit d'un homme d'affaires2:45"
"Je reviens te chercher×Je reviens te chercher19 November 2021 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)"

1970s

"C'est en septembre"
"La Solitude ça n'existe pas"
"L'Indifférence×L'Indifférence1977 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksA1L'Indifférence4:10B1On a besoin d'un idéal2:45"
"Un peu d'amour et d'amitié"

1980s

"Désirée"
"L'Amour est mort"
"Faut faire avec"

International / local versions

1955: "Je t'appartiens" / "Let It Be Me" (Pierre Delanoë – Gilbert Bécaud)
1957: "Le Jour où la pluie viendra" / "The Day the Rains Came" (Pierre Delanoë – Gilbert Bécaud)
1961: "Et maintenant×Et maintenantDecember 1961 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Et maintenant3:40A2Le Condamné2:00B1Dans ces moments-là2:40B2Toi, le musicien3:15" / "What Now My Love" (Pierre Delanoë – Gilbert Bécaud – Elvis Presley)
1966: "Seul sur son étoile×Seul sur son étoileMarch 1966 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Seul sur son étoile3:32A2Le Petit Oiseau de toutes les couleurs2:47B1Viens dans la lumière3:01B2Le Petit Prince est revenu" / "It Must Be Him" (Maurice Vidalin – Gilbert Bécaud)
1966: "Plein soleil×Plein SoleilJune 1964 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1Plein Soleil3:01A2T'es venu de loin3:14B1Dis, Mariette…3:04B2Mourir à Capri3:23" / "Sand and Sea" (Maurice Vidalin – Gibert Bécaud)
1967: "L'important c'est la rose×L'important c'est la rose1967 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracksA1L'important c'est la rose3:40A2Bienvenue parmi nous2:15B1Merci beaucoup2:55B2Dans le lit d'un homme d'affaires2:45" / "The Importance of Your Love" (Louis Amade - Gilbert Bécaud)
1972: "Un peu d'amour et d'amitié" / "A Little Love and Understanding×A Little Love and Understanding1975 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracksA1A Little Love and UnderstandingA2The MasqueradeA3Something MissingA4If Only I Could Live My Life AgainA5It's Wonderful to Be AliveA6What Now My LoveB1The Importance of Your LoveB2The Mexican Singing BirdB3Sand and SeaB4The Day the Rains CameB5My Pretty Summer PrincessB6Living" (Louis Amade – Gilbert Bécaud)
1979: "C'est en septembre" / "September Morn" (Neil Diamond – Gilbert Bécaud)