Édith Piaf

Édith Piaf

Source: Classical Source

Born Édith Giovanna Gassion in Paris on 19 December 1915, Édith Piaf was a cabaret, torch and chanson singer first professionally performed at age 14 as a singing acrobat with her father and half-sister Simone "Mômone" Berteaut. She obtained her first nightclub gig in 1933 at Juan-les-Pins. In 1935 she began singing at Le Gerny where owner, Louis Leplée, changed her name to La Môme Piaf (Little Sparrow) and she began to perform exclusively in black. The next year she changed her name to Edith Piaf to disassociate herself from bad company acquired thus far in her career. Louis Leplée had been murdered by mobsters she knew, and she herself had been suspect. Her first recordings appeared in January 1936: 'Les Momes de la Cloche' and 'L'Étranger' (Polydor 524.157). Piaf had recorded both songs on 5 November 1935 but they were rejected. She then recorded both songs twice again, all four matrices released as Polydor 524.157. Caveat this page: I've used alphabetical order where I've not been able to determine exact dates during the same year. Such may or may not be in correct chronological sequence.

'Les Mômes de la cloche' ('Kids of the Bell')   Édith Piaf

Piaf's 1st recording to issue

18 Dec 1935 at Polydor Studio 2 in Paris   Matrix HPP 2202   Polydor 524.157

24 March 1936 at Polydor Studio 2 in Paris   Matrix WPP 2376   Polydor 524.157

Music: Vincent Scotto   Lyrics: André Decaye

Encyclopédisque

'L'Étranger' ('The Stranger')   Édith Piaf

Piaf's 2nd recording to issue

18 Dec 1935 at Polydor Studio 2 in Paris   Matrix HPP 2204   Polydor 524.157

13 Jan 1936 at Polydor Studio 2 in Paris   Matrix WPP 2234   Polydor 524.157

Music: Juel (Chiara Panzieri) / Marguerite Monnot   Lyrics: Robert Malleron

Encyclopédisque

'Dans la Garçonne' ('In the Tomboy')   Édith Piaf

From the film 'La Garçonne' ('The Tomboy') released 21 Feb 1936

Music: Jean Wiener   Lyrics: Louis Poterat

IMDb   Wikipedia

'Quand Même' ('Anyway')   Édith Piaf   1936

Music: Jean Wiener   Lyrics: J. Mario / Louis Poterat

'Y'Avait du Soleil' ('There Was Sunshine')   Édith Piaf   1936

Composition: Jean Lenoir

Piaf met composer, Marguerite Monnot [Wikipedia], in 1936 with whom she would begin collaborating in the early forties. Piaf saw her rise to stardom in France during World War II. Performing for German occupation forces, notably with members of the future Compagnons de la Chanson beginning in 1944. Le Compagnons de la Chanson consisted of eight or nine members and were founded in 1946 out the choir of the Compagnons de France formed in 1941, the latter performing for forty years until disbanding in 1985. Edith and others alike who performed for the German military were considered traitors by many, albeit she was a part of the French Resistance by her own claim and helped a number of people, including at least one Jew, escape Nazi persecution. After that conflict Piaf toured Europe, the United States and South America.

'Escales' ('Stop Over')   Édith Piaf

1940   Polydor 524.669

Music: Marguerite Monnot   Lyrics: Jean Marèse

'On danse sur ma chanson' ('We Dance to My Song')   Édith Piaf   1940

Composition: Leo Poll / Raymond Asso

'Les Trois Cloches' ('The Three Bells')   Édith Piaf

25 June 1946 in Paris   Matrix: CLX2465   Columbia BFX-20 / DFX-242

Composition: Jean Villard

In English

Piaf's career notably bloomed in post-war Paris in 1947, the year she wrote the lyrics to Yves Montand's 'Mais qu’est-ce que j’ai?' with music by Henri Betti. Piaf made contributions to a number of compositions. She is thought to have written the music and lyrics to 'Les yeux de ma mère' in 1947, the year she recorded 'La Vie en rose' which brought her to much attention in the United States upon its issue in English in latter 1950 with lyrics by herself translated by Mack David to music by Louiguy and Marguerite Monnot. The latter fifties brought association with lyricist, Georges Moustaki [Wikipedia].

'La Vie en Rose' ('Life In Pink')   Édith Piaf

4 Jan 1947 in Paris   Columbia DF-3152 / BF-136

Conducting: Guy Luypaerts

Music: Louiguy (Louis Guglielmi)   Lyrics: Piaf

'La Vie en Rose' ('Life In Pink')   Édith Piaf

English lyrics by Mack David

8 July 1950 in Paris   Columbia  4053-F / 38948 / 3-38948 (45 rpm)

Conducting: Robert Chauvigny

Music: Louiguy (Louis Guglielmi)   Lyrics: Piaf

'L'Hymne à l'Amour' ('Hymn to Love')   Édith Piaf

From the film 'Paris chante toujours' ('Paris Still Sings') released 29 Nov 1951

Music: Marguerite Monnot   Lyrics: Piaf

IMDb   Wikipedia

'L'Accordeoniste'   Édith Piaf   Television

3 April 1954   'La joie de vivre' ('The Joy of Living')

Composition: Michel Emer

1st title to sell a million copies upon it's release in 1940

'The Poor People of Paris' ('Les pauvres de Paris')   Édith Piaf   Television

23 Sep 1956   'Ed Sullivan Show'

Music: Marguerite Monnot   Lyrics: René Rouzaud

'Les Amants d'un Jour' ('Lovers for a Day')   Édith Piaf

Filmed live in concert sometime 1960   Venue unknown

Music: Marguerite Monnot   Lyrics: Claude Delécluse / Michelle Senlis

'La Foule' ('The Crowd')   Édith Piaf

Filmed live in concert sometime 1960   Venue unknown

Music: Ángel Cabral   Lyrics: Enrique Dizeo / Michel Rivegauche

'Non Je ne Regrette Rien' ('No, I Regret Nothing')   Édith Piaf   1960

Music: Charles Dumont   Lyrics: Michel Vaucaire

'Milord' ('My Lord')   Édith Piaf

Filmed live in concert sometime 1962   Venue unknown

Music: Marguerite Monnot   Lyrics: George Moustaki

'L'Homme de Berlin' ('The Man From Berlin')   Édith Piaf

Piaf's last-known recording made in April 1963

Music: Francis Lai   Lyrics: Michèle Vendome

In English

Piaf had lived in various locations in Paris until her death of liver cancer in France on 10 October 1963. Her last words were reportedly "Every damn thing you do in this life you have to pay for." Her funeral in Paris was attended by more than 100,000 people.