Juliette Gréco (1927-2020)

The votes are in.

Last week, with a charming, raffish €25 Golden Discs voucher on offer, I asked you to name your favourite underrated gem from the 1950s

French singer Juliette Gréco died a few days after the competition ended. She had to be the winner. Great song and performance and great entry.

But it was another wonderful selection all round.

Third Place:

Who’s Sorry Now by Connie Francis

SOQ writes:

‘I loved my aunt May- she had a way of shocking the family which as a child I found really funny. She said things which were completely inappropriate for a conservative country family and it was much later on that I figured out why.

She was reared in Goldenbridge in Dublin- for those who don’t know, that was a brutal industrial school ran by The Sisters of Mercy. She never ever spoke about it until one day she started with my mother and that hyper speak continued for another two weeks.

And then, at the age of 56 – she passed in her sleep – not even turning the sheets.

She met my uncle in the London dance halls and they married there – in London I mean. They arrived home on a bike with her in the leather trousers, heels and big dyed hair apparently.

So from the get go the family pearls were being clutched but she became as much part as anyone else. She encouraged me to try on girl’s clothes but I wasn’t that sort of gay – even then – but I am grateful for her being the first to spot the difference and let me know it was fine to be me- whatever that was.

And so with a few gins taken – to May – your favourite singer. (This song is also dedicated to the government on their virus strategy- obviously).’

Runner-up:

Ne Me Quitte Pas by Jacques Brel

Millie Madonna writes:

‘It’s one of my favourite songs ever. The emotion he manages to convey, you don’t need to know the language to understand the heartbreak and desolation in the song. I cried the first time I heard it and cried again once I was able to understand it. Kinda sums up how powerful music is for me.’

Winner:

Bonjour Tristesse by Juliette Greco (RIP)

Kingfisher writes:

‘Juliette Gréco’s deep, husky voice became the soul of Paris. Jean-Paul Sartre wrote, “Gréco has a million poems in her voice, it is like a warm light that revives the embers burning inside of us all. It is thanks to her, and for her, that I have written songs. In her mouth, my words become precious stones.” Here’s Bonjour Triestesse, from 1958 (above)’

Nick says: Thanks all.

Last week: Win Nick’s Voucher

Golden Discs