You’ve probably heard the expression “the way to a human’s heart is through food”. Well, the way to a beginner French learner’s heart is through French music! Here are 10 super catchy French songs for beginners approved by my very own students!
And no, Papaoutai is NOT one of them.
Don’t forget to grab your music freebie!
What kinds of French songs do beginners like, especially teens?
First off, I can’t speak for all students, but I know that my teenage students LOVE upbeat, catchy French songs that make them want to dance.
Secondly, the French music you bring into your classroom should not only be current, but so should the French musicians. Students do NOT want to watch grainy music videos from 2002. It definitely should not feel like their teacher has not updated their French music playlist in a few decades.
Also, your music playlist should be diverse. I have been in French teacher Facebook groups for years and I have noticed that French music playlists tend to feature mainly white singers from the early 2000s! This is SUCH a shame and a missed opportunity.
Include singers of different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religions! Remember that representation matters!
Here’s a set of posters I made of francophone singers. French music and francophone singers are so, so important to me. Representation in this particular area was essential, so I decided to take matters into my own hands!
Click here to grab a set of these posters for your own French classroom.
How and when to play catchy French music for beginners
I always play French music during the first-ever French class as students walk in. I believe strongly in first impressions and set the tone for my course. It’s also funny how many of my students remember exactly which song I had playing the first day of class!
Moreover, I play French music at the start of class sometimes and when students are working. As a matter of fact, French music is actually a crucial part of my classroom management strategy. It is how I keep my students calm and simultaneously create a culture of love for French and for French music.
Additionally, with my beginners French students, I do manie musicale which they LOVE!
We also make music videos in Grade 9 and do a music unit in grade 10.
What is the value of French songs for beginner learners?
First of all, there is a reason why music is so popular in the first place – we love it! French music is also a great way to introduce your beginner students to a variety of francophone cultures and perspectives. This can be a meaningful introduction to topics like racism, injustices, and other social issues.
1. Dernier métro by Kendji Girac and Maître Gims
First up is the song I had on repeat the entire school year of 2020-2021. Seriously, that is how much my students loved this French song. Not only did they love this song, but they were completely obsessed and even entranced by the music video.
In fact, we watched it over and over to figure out how the ending (not going to spoil) could have happened!
Themes connected to French class : passé composé & imparfait, moving on
2. Parle à ta tête by Indila
I am sure you have heard of Indila and her very popular French songs! This one is her latest release to date. It’s a super catchy French song and the music video is very entertaining.
Themes connected to French class : present tense, ER verbs, common French irregular verbs in present tense (aller, vouloir)
3. La pluie by Orelsan and Stromae
This next one is an absolute masterpiece by Orelsan and Stromae. It also happens to be a perfect French song for beginner students as the theme is weather! The chorus repeats “chez moi il fait beau” and there are many other weather expressions and vocabulary mentioned in the lyrics.
I also just love Stromae’s dance moves and my students loved the saxophone.
Themes connected to French class : weather, present tense
4. Ça va ça vient by Vitaa and Slimane
This is one of the most popular songs from the duo Vitaa and Slimane!
Themes connected to French class : moving on/forward, the verbs venir & dire in present tense
5. T’épauler by Barack Adama and Gims
Here is another really catchy French song for beginners that your students will LOVE! This one begins with a flight to Senegal and takes place at a party for the most part. The main storyline shows the ups and downs of the main characters’ relationship. My students found the storyline to be really fascinating and it spurred a lot of discussions.
Themes connected to French class : Senegal, relationships, breakups/heartbreak
6. Magic in the air by MAGIC SYSTEM ft. Chawki
If you are about to teach your students the verb ‘aller’ or even ‘impératif’, you have to got to play this song for them! This was one was recommended to me by my sister and many of my students said it was their absolute favourite of the school year!
Themes connected to French class : soccer, Africa, aller in present tense, impératif
7. Coton ouaté by bleu jeans bleu
This next French song and music video is the PERFECT embodiment of Quebec. The dance moves and plot are so entertaining (and bizarre) that my students LOVED it.
Themes connected to French class : Québec, clothing, joual
8. Hola señorita (Maria) by Gims & Maluma
Next up, this French and Spanish song was such a hit with my students. My FSL students loved the scenery, the dancing, the fire-eating lady, and of course, they really enjoyed the beat. I even had one student say to me “Madame, I would totally listen to this song on my own time” — WIN!
Themes connected to French class : present tense, irregular verbs, regular verbs
9. Jusqu’au bout by Amel Bent x Imen Es
Up next, this is a recent release from Amal Bent and Imen Es. This beautiful French song is all about positivity, hope and perseverance. The lyrics are all about listening to oneself and going after ones’ dreams. The lyrics are mainly in passé composé and they are rich in French vocabulary.
This French song is perfect for intermediate French students to analyze and explore. It is also filled with idiomatic expressions.
Extension activities :
- create a poster showing the meaning of one of the idiomatic expressions used
Themes connected to French class : passé composé, French idiomatic expressions
10. Lionne by Dadju
Finally, this last French song for beginners is all about female empowerment! What I absolutely love about this song is all of the diversity that is present!
This song is also filled with tons of really rich French vocabulary. The lyrics consist of French verbs in the present tense and tons of nouns. It would be a really great song for students to analyze and dig into the meaning of all of the French vocabulary.
Extenstion activity ideas
- have students draw a ‘lionne’ in their life
- get students to draw a figure based off of the song lyrics
Themes connected to French class : female empowerment, diversity, present tense
Looking for a French music unit to to complement your lessons on French music?
Click here to check out my French music unit on TPT
Do you have a French song for beginners you’d like to recommend?
Share with us a French song your French students are loving!
