Having pursued a career in modelling in her early 20s, she soon enough quit to turn her hand to songwriting.īorn in Italy, Bruni moved to France at the age of seven. Of all the French language musicians included in this guide to easy listening French music, Carla Bruni certainly has one of the most unusual career paths. His musical career includes many French favourite songs including ‘Boum!’, ‘La Mer’, and ‘Douce France’ (a personal favourite of mine!) It was during his subsequent recovery at home that he developed his many artistic talents, including that of singing. However, he was soon back at home due to contracting typhoid. Born in the little French city of Narbonne is South West France in 1913, Trenet was sent to boarding school in the nearby city of Béziers when his parents divorced. Some of Brel’s most famous songs include ‘Ne me quitte pas’ and ‘Vesoul’.Įven if you’ve never heard of Charles Trenet before, you’ll undoubtedly have heard sound bites of his most famous song ‘La Mer’. However, acting talents aside, Brel is best-known for his easy to listen to theatrical songs.Īfter performing at the cabaret La Noire Rose in January of 1953, Brel was soon enough spied and signed a contract to produce his first record, thus sparking an enduring musical career that is still celebrated to this day. Enjoyed reading about some of the best easy-listening French music (largely chanson songs)? Pin this article now, read it again later:īorn in Belgium in 1929, Jacques Brel was a singer, songwriter, poet, actor and director who appeared as an actor in 10 films, and directed a further 2.The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at for further information. SIEGEL: Of course, back here on Earth, Muzak is most well known for playing in elevators, which for some people is like being cramped in a space capsule on your way to the moon.ĬORNISH: Now, over the years, Muzak could never quite shake its reputation for cheesy elevator music, but today, we remember the name Muzak and the music that perhaps we didn't realize was there in the first place.Ĭopyright © 2013 NPR. LANZA: And I guess also, you know, the being cramped in a space capsule on your way to the moon, it would be a little tense. SIEGEL: Muzak even reportedly played during the Apollo 11 space mission to keep the astronauts calm. So the music really - it didn't put people to sleep so much as it just relaxed them, yet kept them alert. LANZA: It also was used in the distant early warning places up in the north where they would watch for Soviet mischief on radar and they needed to be alert.
LBJ even owned a franchise.ĬORNISH: Yes, Muzak kept you moderately entertained in both Oval and non-Oval offices, shopping malls and waiting rooms. LANZA: It was in the White House at one point.
That's Joseph Lanza, author of the book "Elevator Music: A Surreal History Of Muzak, Easy Listening and Other Moodsong." Muzak first appeared as a brand in 1934, but Lanza said the company had its biggest impact in the 1960s and '70s. JOSEPH LANZA: Muzak was all over the place. It's chairman and CEO said in a statement that this marked the end of an iconic American brand, or as fast company put it, the musical equivalent of white bread. The company announced today that it will now be known as Mood, after Muzak's owner, Mood Media. SIEGEL: Muzak, best known for its inoffensive, unobtrusive, ultra-bland music is changing its brand name. From a death in the music world, now to something of a rebirth.
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