Serge, Francois and France - the top ten 60s French pop videos

1 Francoise Hardy - Je Changerais D’avis

Francoise Hardy made so many wonderful records during the 60s and early 70s that it is a real struggle choosing just one. But for me Je Changerais nicks it for its dramatic vocal, sweeping strings and slightly bonkers video. The Divine Comedy apparently had a stab at it. The Vogue Years compilation is a good place to start and her English language recordings are well worth tracking down too.

2 Serge Gainsbourg - Initials BB

Gainsbourg’s love(?) song for his mid 60s squeeze Brigitte Bardot with whom he was to record the original version of his most infamous track - Je t’aime. Many critics cite 1971’s Melody Nelson as his masterpiece, but for a sheer run of brilliant pop tunes his 66-68 period takes some beating. Shame these days he’s as remembered for being a drunken old lech who wanted to ‘foirk’ Whitney Houston as he is his unique music. Then again if you haven’t seen the Whit video…

3 France Gall - Poupee de Cire

Gainsbourg again this time as the composer of France Gall’s monster break through hit Poupee de Cire. Easily the best song to win Eurovision - ok, this might be a rival had it won - France Gall went on from being the Gallic version of Lulu, through a wonderful period as a Psychedelic songstress to more mature stuff in the 70s and 80s. She also recorded some tracks in German, the best of which is this. You have to watch it to see the bemused faces of the audience.

4 Jacquleine Taieb - 7:00 AM

This is one of the best mid 60s French beat pounders. Great riff, brilliant drums and a very sexy vocal. She was Moroccan and had several big-ish hits during the decade. Very cool kids in the vid.

5 Brigitte Bardot- Harley Davidson

More Gainsbourg in his prime, this one features the lust-object of Initials BB pushing her rather limited vocal skills to the limit. You will have probably heard this before. It has been covered by several English language speaking bands and that riff has been widely sampled.

6 Eric Charden - Le Monde Est Gris, le Monde Est Bleu

Seriously huge ballad from one of the unsung heroes of 60s French pop. This tune, the world is grey, the world is blue apparently was a huge hit in France in 1967 and was recorded in several other languages too though not English. In fact it is quite surprising really that Engelbert, Vince or even Cliff didn’t have a crack at it. I love the wonderfully inappropriate drumming - genius.

7 Delphine - La Fermeture Éclair

Fabulous French cover of killer psych garage tune In the past, which was made famous by We The People and The Chocolate Watchband. The female French language vocals work brilliantly when layered over those spiralling sitary sounds. Ok, so no vid, but don’t let that put you off.

8 Jacques Dutronc - Et moi, et moi, et moi

Dutronc had plenty going for him in the 60s. A Dylan-esque whine, Stonesy beats, some great tunes and Francois Hardy for a girlfriend he was the epitomy of Gallic cool. In the 90s there was a band who basically played cover versions of his songs. They were impossibly cool too.

9 Annie Philippe - C’est la mode

Quite possibly my favourite French 60s tune ever, C’est la mode is a Stonesy romp complete with wicked fuzz guitar and a dash of folk rock. Would love it if someone could explain the bonkers video though. She is still making music and she still looks great.

10 Les Parapluies de Cherbourg

From one of the most amazing films of all time - imagine a French Singing in the rain, but one that is way cooler and heartbreakingly beautiful - comes this Michel Legrand penned big ballad. Scott Walker was smitten with it and recorded this and several other Legrand tunes. Any movie that manages to make Cherbourg look sexy has to be a work of genius. Don’t get too upset about the sentiment though. While he’s off getting shot at in the Algerian war she takes up with a decent, but slightly slimy jewel dealer. So true love is dashed once again…