The Literary Tradition: Poets Who Sang

Jacques Prévert and the Poetic Revolution

The 1930s-1940s saw unprecedented collaboration between poets and musicians. Jacques Prévert (1900-1977), though not a singer, revolutionized chanson through his lyrics. His simple vocabulary and surrealist imagery created a new lyrical style: - "Les Feuilles mortes" (Autumn Leaves): Set by Joseph Kosma, became a standard - "Barbara": Anti-war poem that various artists interpreted - Collaboration with Kosma created numerous classics

Boris Vian: The Polymath Provocateur

Boris Vian (1920-1959) embodied post-war intellectual engagement with popular culture. Engineer, novelist, jazz trumpeter, and songwriter, he brought surrealist humor and political edge to chanson: - "Le Déserteur": Anti-war anthem banned from radio - "La Complainte du progrès": Satirizing consumer culture - "J'suis snob": Self-mocking portrait of intellectual pretension

His songs, often performed in Saint-Germain jazz caves, bridged chanson and jazz, intellectualism and entertainment.