Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Yannick Noah vs. the "f" word...

It's hard to turn on the radio at the moment without hearing the newest song by France's most popular celebrity, Yannick Noah. "Hello", his duet with Asa, is the newest release from his album, Frontières. As I find myself singing along to the catchy, sentimenally PoPpy chorus, I'm once again struck by what it means to be a mother.

Is is just me or are there alot of songs on the radio at the moment that have the 'f' word somewhere in the title or lyrics? In France, nothing is censored, so instead of the more child-friendly version of Enrique Iglesias' "Tonight I'm lovin' you", we get the "Tonight I'm f@#$in' you" version. Pink weighs in with her "F"ing Perfect", and Cee-Lo Green says "F you" here in France, not "Forget You". I'm pretty sure these songs are censored or bleeped in the States, aren't they?

Anyway, the little ladies sing happily along whenever these songs come on the radio, blissfully unaware (hopefully) of what they are actually singing. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to use the "f" word in all of its glorious permutations on occasion(s). However, I come from an era where songs like George Michael's "I Want Your Sex" and Madonna's "Like a Virgin" were banned or censored by most radio stations and where the only way you could hear Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax" was to go out and by the album. God, am I old or what?

So although Yannick's new song may seem a little cheesy and not something I would normally have on my personal playlist, the mother in me finds it refreshing. In a world where, thanks to Rhianna, my kids think the saying goes 'sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me', a little light pop can't really do too much damage, can it?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very good. I am so immune to the French slinging about the F-word even on prime time TV, that I haven't been paying attention.

Love Doc said...

love the video. and love the post

The Duchess said...

Dedene, I'm quite used to hearing kids say 'putain' in front of the parents, too. Particularly down here in the south!
Love Doc, thanks!

Sarah said...

My eldest groans and switches over when he hears it as it's too ringard! He's not a fan of Noah, too nga nga.

The Duchess said...

Hi Sarah,
I'm sure if my two little ones were older, they'd say the same thing!

Anonymous said...

Oh I am so thankful for the radio censoring here! I try to refrain from language if at all possible, and I only wonder how much longer censoring radio will continue. Honestly, although they take out the language here I find it ironic that they leave the more explicit, sexual lyrics in. Kind of a double standard in a way, ya think? Anyway, thanks for this post!

The Duchess said...

Hi Grace,
Thanks for your comment. I'm glad the little ladies don't yet understand half of what they hear on the radio, though I know it's only a matter of time!

Unknown said...

Yannick's song doesn't necessarily do it for me, but I am definitely more than a little sick and tired of the F word in otherwise 'light' pop music, especially when I'm pushing a shopping cart around a store and stuf comes on (ie with kids and least expecting it).

The Duchess said...

Hi Tammy,
I do find myself singing along sometimes at the supermarket.... I guess most of the French people in the shop don't understand what the songs are saying anyway!

Monty said...

It is really not necessary to have such explicit language and sexual content in modern pop music. I don't have kids myself by I do worry about what will happen to the next generation.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the light humor in post. I cannot say the "F" bomb is always bad (hip hop fan here). However, I can see your point from the parent perspective. Wonderful piece.

Unknown said...

I totally agree on your opinion! What happend to good pop music that doesn't have Sex written all over it? Thank god for songs like this :)

XO Paula

Sidonie B. said...

Super ton blog Rachelle! Bel esprit et beaucoup d'humour, j'adore!! Sidonie B.