When Music is Poetry: 3 French-Speaking Artists to Listen To
3 Singers, 3 Poets in Disguise
Poetry isn’t just written, it’s sung. Some artists craft lyrics so powerful they feel like poetry set to music. Here are three of my favorites French-speaking artists whose lyrics have gone straight to my heart and whose words resonate like verses from a poem. For each of them, I’ll share one of their songs, including the music track, a live performance, and a carefully selected passage.
Jacques Brel – The timeless storyteller
Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer and songwriter who became one of the most influential figures in la Chanson Française. With his powerful voice and poetic lyrics, Brel’s songs are overflowing with emotion, theatricality, and striking imagery and have become timeless classics with lyrics that cut deep and stay with you. Here I chose one of my favorite song of all time: Ne me quitte pas.
If you enjoyed this song, there is plenty more for you to discover! Get lost in the restless energy of Amsterdam another favorite of mine, or the classic Quand on n'a que l'amour.
Stromae – The modern-day wordsmith
Stromae (Paul Van Haver) is a Belgian-Rwandan singer, songwriter, and music producer known for blending electronic beats with deep, reflective lyrics. His songs, such as Alors on danse, Papaoutai, and Formidable, often explore themes of love, identity, and societal pressures, earning him international acclaim. With a unique mix of spoken-word rhythms and poetic phrasing, Stromae turns everyday struggles into profound, beautifully crafted songs. Here I chose the haunting and mesmerizing song, L'enfer.
Zaho de Sagazan – The voice of raw emotion
Zaho de Sagazan is a rising French singer-songwriter who blends pop, folk, and electronic sounds with evocative and poetic lyrics. Her haunting voice and introspective lyrics feel like reading pages of a personal diary. She explores themes of love, melancholy, and personal growth, often conveying raw emotion through her music. I discovered Zaho last year, and I was completely blown away. At the 39th Victoires de la Musique ceremony, she was rightfully acclaimed, winning awards for Best Original Song, Best Album, Best Stage Revelation, and Best Female Revelation.
Here is the eponymous single, La symphonie des éclairs, the title track which perfectly captures the essence of the album.
Who are the artists that feel like poets to you? Let me know in the comment, I’d love to discover more poetry in music.