French Pop Compilations

French Pop Compilation Vinyl: Chanson, Yé-Yé and Best-Of Records

What French pop compilations offer

A French pop compilation on vinyl gathers songs by one artist or several performers on a single record: greatest hits, complete collections, decade selections or radio-branded sets. French listeners call this music "variété", and it covers everything from 1960s yé-yé pop to chanson, the lyric-driven French songwriting tradition. In the 1960s, much of it was released on four-track 7-inch EPs with picture sleeves, so LP compilations are the easiest way to hear those songs together.

This page gathers the French pop compilations tracked on Vinyles.com, from singer best-ofs to various-artists sets. You can compare offers from several partner stores for each record, new or used, see which editions are still in print, and check whether a recent reissue costs less than a vintage copy.

From yé-yé to chanson: artists to look for

The 1960s yé-yé era, when French singers adapted the pop and rock of the time, is among the most compiled, with Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, France Gall and Françoise Hardy. Chanson has its own essential best-ofs: Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour and Serge Gainsbourg. The 1970s and 1980s are represented by hugely popular performers such as Claude François, Joe Dassin, Dalida and Michel Sardou.

• Yé-yé: Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Vartan, France Gall, Françoise Hardy
• Chanson: Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour
• 1970s and 1980s pop: Claude François, Joe Dassin, Dalida
• Various-artists sets by decade

What to check before buying

Historic French labels such as Barclay, Philips, Pathé-Marconi and Vogue released many compilations over the decades. Favor official editions that name the record company and the original year of each recording. Some budget compilations include later re-recordings instead of the familiar versions, so look for "re-recorded" or "nouvel enregistrement" on the jacket.

Used French pop compilations are often inexpensive, since they were pressed in large numbers, but condition varies: check for scratches, jacket wear, and whether any lyric insert is still included. A heavily played copy may show surface noise, crackle or distortion, which is often most audible on the last tracks of each side.

How to choose

To discover an artist, an official single or double LP best-of gives a solid overview of a career. For a party or a first record collection, a decade-based various-artists set is practical. Collectors tend to look for vintage compilations in their original jackets, or box sets covering a full catalog. Then compare offers, since the price of the same compilation can vary noticeably from one partner store to another.