English-language music is listened to internationally and is often found in the top most listened to music. Unmissable names have marked the history of music such as Michael Jackson, Madonna or Eminem. Learn more about these timeless music from England or the United States that punctuate our days and evenings.
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English song #1: The Beatles – Hey Jude (1968)
Hey Jude
Author / Composer:
John Lennon et Paul McCartney
Iconic lyrics:
“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad ; Take a sad song and make it better ; Remember to let her into your heart ; Then you can start to make it better ; Hey Jude, don’t be afraid ; You were made to go out and get her ; The minute you let her under your skin ; Then you begin to make it better ; Oh-oh-oh, and anytime you feel the pain ; Hey Jude, ; Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders ; For well you know that it’s a fool ; Who plays it cool ; By making his world a little colder”
How can we talk about English-speaking musical culture without mentioning the Beatles, the iconic group of the 60s? It was in 1968 that the quartet recorded the song “Hey Jude”, composed by Paul McCartney.
This song, filled with kindness, was written for Julian Lennon, John Lennon’s son, to support him during his parents’ divorce. The seven-minute track was the longest song of the era to reach number one in the UK charts. “Hey Jude” remains the band’s biggest hit, selling over eight million copies.
The hit continues to be part of our musical repertoire and has been covered by many artists, such as Elvis Presley, The Temptations, Petula Clark and many others.
Chanson n°2 : Oasis – Wonderwall (1995)
Wonder wall
Genre :
Britpop / Pop Folk
Author / Composer:
Noel Gallagher
Iconic lyrics:
“And all the roads we have to walk are winding ; And all the lights that lead us there are blinding ; There are many things that I ; Would like to say to you but I don’t know how ; Because maybe ; You’re gonna be the one that saves me ; And after all ; You’re my wonderwall ; Today was gonna be the day ; But they’ll never throw it back to you ; By now you should’ve somehow ; Realized what you’re not to do ; I don’t believe that anybody ; Feels the way I do about you now”
We’ve all heard the song “Wonderwall” somewhere.
Whether it’s on the radio, listening to a record from our father, stealing our brother’s old iPod or simply in our playlist because it’s an essential piece. The title is inspired by George Harrison’s album Wonderwall Music.
The media had announced that the song had been written by Meg Mathews, Noel Gallagher’s ex-girlfriend, but the singer denied this hypothesis by explaining that the hit is not about his girlfriend but about an imaginary friend who comes to help you. Sold over twenty-two million copies, the title has been performed by many artists, including Indochine, Mike Flowers Pops, Ryan Adams and Jay-Z.
N°3 : Eminem et Dido – Stan (2000)
Stan
Author / Composer:
Eminem / Dido
Iconic lyrics:
“Dear Slim, I wrote you but still ain’t callin’ ; I left my cell, my pager, and my home phone at the bottom ; I sent two letters back in autumn, you must not-a got ’em ; There probably was a problem at the post office or somethin’ ; Sometimes I scribble addresses too sloppy when I jot ’em ; But anyways, fuck it, what’s been up? Man how’s your daughter? ; My girlfriend’s pregnant too, I’m ’bout to be a father ; If I have a daughter, guess what I’m a call her? ; I’ma name her Bonnie ; I read about your Uncle Ronnie too I’m sorry ; I had a friend kill himself over some bitch who didn’t want him ; I know you probably hear this everyday, but I’m your biggest fan”
It’s the music you listen to in the car, your head resting on the window sill. Stan is a song from Eminem’s third album, The Marshall Mathers LP, released in 2000. Although the rapper is known for many songs, Stan remains his most famous song.
The lyrics tell of a fan Stanley Mitchell who develops a real obsession with Eminem and constantly sends him letters to tell him of his admiration. When the letters go unanswered, Stan is overcome by disappointment and anger. His obsession and depression are the cause of the death of his girlfriend, played in the song by the singer Dido.
Having sold millions of copies, this poignant song has spanned generations and continues to strike us with its strong emotion.
Chanson anglophone n°4 : Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (1982)
Billie Jean
Genre :
Post disco / funk
Author / Composer:
Michael Jackson
Iconic lyrics:
“Billie Jean is not my lover; She’s just a girl who claims that I am the one; But the kid is not my son; She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son; She says I am the one; You know what you did, (she says he is my son) breaking my heart babe ; She says I am the one”
Michael Jackson, nicknamed the King of Pop, has left his mark on everyone on the planet. Some fans even prefer to think that the singer is hiding somewhere rather than believing in his death. Indeed, the artist died in 2009 but his songs continue to make us dance on Saturday nights!
Billie Jean, released in 1982, was composed by the artist himself and is part of the album “Thriller” known for being the best-selling album in the world. The lyrics talk about a woman who says that Michael Jackson would be the father of her son.
The international hit has been covered by many artists including The Bates, King of House and Chris Cornell.
The anecdote to know!
It was to this music that the artist performed his famous moonwalk in front of the public for the first time.
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Chanson n°5 : Madonna – Like a Virgin (1984)
Like a Virgin
Author / Composer:
Tom Kelly & Billy Steinberg
Iconic lyrics:
“I made it through the wilderness ; Somehow I made it through ; Didn’t know how lost I was ; Until I found you ; I was beat ; Incomplete ; I’d been had, I was sad and blue ; But you made me feel ; Yeah, you made me feel ; Shiny and new (Hoo) ; Like a virgin ; Touched for the very first time ; Like a virgin ; When your heart beats ; Next to mine”
Just like Michael Jackson, Madonna is considered the queen of pop. The internationally known artist also makes all generations dance with her songs that sometimes reflect her provocative character. “Like a Virgin”, released in 1984, is the first song that made her famous.
In this danceable song, she talks about virginity and the discovery of sexuality. This 80s hit, whose chorus is known to everyone, has sold over twenty million copies worldwide. The hit is featured in the soundtrack of many films such as Reservoir Dogs, Moulin Rouge or even Bridget Jones.
N°6 : U2 – With or Without You (1987)
With or Without You
Author / Composer:
Bono / U2
Iconic lyrics:
“Through the storm we reach the shore ; You give it all but I want more ; And I’m waiting for you ; With or without you ; With or without you ; I can’t live ; With or without you ; And you give yourself away”
The band’s iconic song, you’ve definitely heard the notes of With or Without You. The lyrics were written by the band’s frontman and singer Bono and he was inspired by the conflicting feelings between his life as a musician that takes him all over the world and his personal life as a married man and father.
The song is featured in many films and series including Friends as THE song by Ross and Rachel but also in The Office and Sex Education.
Titre n°7 : Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Genre :
Grunge / Alternative Rock
Author / Composer:
Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl et Chris Novoselic
Iconic lyrics:
“With the lights out, it’s less dangerous ; Here we are now, entertain us ; I feel stupid and contagious ; Here we are now, entertain us ; A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido ; Yeah, hey, yay”
The song is named after a brand of Teen Spirit deodorant, a reference made by a friend of Nirvana’s lead singer Kurt Cobain, who thought it was an anarchist allusion. It propelled the band to international prominence and is still considered a classic of the rock genre today.
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place in Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest songs of all time.
The lyrics, however, seem to make no sense, although many have attempted an interpretation.
English Song #8: Pharell Williams – Happy
Happy
Author / Composer:
Pharell Williams
Iconic lyrics:
“Because I’m happy ; Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof ; Because I’m happy ; Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth ; Because I’m happy ; Clap along if you know what happiness is to you ; Because I’m happy ; Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do”
Originally created for the film Despicable Me 2, the song Happy quickly became a song sung all over the planet, at a time when TikTok did not yet exist!
In France, Happy remained at number one for 22 weeks, making it the longest-staying title since the creation of the Top 50. It is also the one that has remained in the top 10 the longest (37 weeks).
N°9 : Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (1979)
Don’t Stop Me Now
Author / Composer:
Freddie Mercury et Queen
Iconic lyrics:
“I’m burnin’ through the sky, yeah ; Two hundred degrees ; That’s why they call me Mister Fahrenheit ; I’m traveling at the speed of light ; I wanna make a supersonic man out of you ; Don’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time ; I’m having a ball ; Don’t stop me now ; If you wanna have a good time, just give me a call”
The song released in 1979 remains a reference for the group Queen. It includes choruses like on Bohemian Rhapsody and Somebody To Love.
The lyrics refer to Lady Godiva, an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who is said to have paraded the streets of Coventry, completely naked on her horse in an attempt to reduce the taxes levied on the townspeople by her husband.
English song #10: Adele – Someone Like You (2011)
Someone Like You
Genre :
Soul / Blues / Pop
Author / Composer:
Adele Adkins & Dan Wilson
Iconic lyrics:
“I hate to turn up out of the blue, uninvited ; But I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it ; I had hoped you’d see my face ; And that you’d be reminded that for me, it isn’t over ; Never mind, I’ll find someone like you ; I wish nothing but the best for you, too ; “Don’t forget me,” I beg ; I remember you said ; Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead”
This beautiful love song written by Adele tells the story of the end of her relationship with her boyfriend at the time. Simply accompanied by a piano, the title received a very positive reception from the public upon its release. It was elected number 1 in the United Kingdom and a few months after its release, it became the first single to sell a million copies.
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