9 Classic French Songs Everyone Should Know

French music is full of unforgettable songs that have shaped the country’s culture and touched the hearts of millions. They are timeless ballads or upbeat melodies created mostly in the 60s. These iconic tracks are the ones every French person knows by heart.

1. Ne Me Quitte Pas (Jacques Brel)

Although Jacques Brel was Belgian by birth, his song “Ne Me Quitte Pas” has cemented its place in the hearts of French people. Released in 1959, it’s an emotional plea to a lover on the verge of leaving. The intense delivery and heart-wrenching lyrics make this one of the most moving songs in the French musical space, viewed as the ultimate ballad of lost love.