Trenet, Charles

▪ 2002

Louis Charles Augustin Claude Trenet 

      French singer and songwriter (b. May 18, 1913, Narbonne, France—d. Feb. 19, 2001, Créteil, France), was for more than 60 years one of the most celebrated practitioners of the French chanson, a form of cabaret ballad distinguished by catchy tunes and sophisticated, witty lyrics. Trenet's exuberant stage presence and signature rumpled fedora helped earn him the nickname “la Fou chantant” (“the Singing Fool”). He composed more than 1,000 songs, most notably “Douce France” (“Sweet France”), “Que reste-t-il de nos amour?” (“I Wish You Love”), and “La Mer.” The latter reportedly had some 4,000 recordings, the best known of which was Bobby Darin's “Beyond the Sea.” Trenet, who also painted and wrote several novels, was made a member of the Legion of Honour in 1998.

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