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Ribald songs

"Chansons paillardes" (bawdy songs) are a festive and offbeat genre, where humor, good spirits, and sometimes a touch of madness are on the agenda. These popular songs, often risqué, liven up evenings and awaken crowds.

On Vinyles.com, you'll find full access to commercially available "Chansons paillardes" vinyls for those who love to party without taking themselves too seriously!

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French bawdy songs on vinyl: when saucy tunes hit the groove

An oral tradition turned collector's item

French bawdy songs, 'chansons paillardes', draw on a centuries-old oral tradition of barracks refrains, banquet couplets, and drinking songs that circulated discreetly long before the phonograph even existed. Mostly anonymous, these cheerfully licentious lyrics passed from generation to generation, picking up regional and regimental variations along the way. The arrival of the LP in the 1950s gave this underground heritage a proper discographic life, championed by artists bold enough to record, sometimes under a pseudonym, this irreverent repertoire.

Essential artists and landmark albums

You cannot dive into paillard vinyl without mentioning Les Quatre Barbus, true archivists of the genre whose Philips LPs remain essential references for collectors. Colette Renard, with her delightfully roguish voice, immortalised classics like 'Les Nuits d'une demoiselle' on sought-after Barclay records. Pierre Perret, the undisputed master of double entendre and cheerful ribaldry, racked up hits on the Adèle label: original pressings of 'Le Zizi', 'La Cage aux oiseaux', and 'Tonton Cristobal' are snapped up at record fairs. Also worth hunting down: Les Charlots, Carlos, the 'Fleurs de Paris' compilations, and scarce self-produced recordings of student or military drinking songs, priceless snapshots of a bygone France.

Labels, pressings, and crate-digging tips

Original Philips and Barclay pressings from the 1950s and 60s are the most coveted, easily identified by their boldly illustrated sleeves, a graphic freedom later reissues often toned down. Steer clear of budget repressings from the 70s and 80s (Impact, Musidisc), whose sound quality can be a far cry from the originals. Pierre Perret's original Adèle-label 45s, obscure student-published records, and bawdy sailor-song LPs each represent a quest of their own. Rather than trawling countless seller websites, Vinyles.com's price comparison tool lets you instantly scan offers from multiple record dealers and pick the one that matches both your budget and your collector's standards.

Frequently asked questions

Does Vinyles.com sell French bawdy song records directly?
No, Vinyles.com does not sell records. We are a price comparison service that aggregates real-time offers from several partner record retailers. You compare prices and condition details, then you are redirected to the seller of your choice to complete your purchase.
Which bawdy song albums are most sought after by collectors?
Les Quatre Barbus LPs on Philips (1960s-70s) and Colette Renard's Barclay albums are among the most prized. Original Adèle-label pressings of Pierre Perret, especially 'Le Zizi' and 'La Cage aux oiseaux', are also in high demand. The 'Fleurs de Paris' compilations and rare military or sailor chant recordings round out any serious collector's wish list.
How can I tell an original pressing from a reissue of French bawdy songs?
Look for a few tell-tale signs: thicker sleeve cardstock on originals, a pressing code etched into the dead wax, the label logo design (a blue Philips logo from the 60s differs markedly from later versions), and the fine print on the back cover. Budget reissues on labels like Musidisc or Impact typically feature simplified artwork and noticeably thinner vinyl.
Timidite Des Arbres - Front Cover

Ribald songs (8)