Francis Cabrel

Summary

Francis Christian Cabrel (French pronunciation: [fʁɑ̃sis kʁistjɑ̃ kabʁɛl]; born 23 November 1953) is a French singer-songwriter, composer and guitarist.[1] Considered one of the most influential French musical artists of all time, he has released a number of albums falling mostly within the realm of folk, with occasional forays into blues or country. Several of his songs, such as "L'encre de tes yeux", "Je l'aime à mourir", "Petite Marie", "La Dame de Haute-Savoie", "Encore et encore", "Il faudra leur dire", "Sarbacane", "C'est écrit", "Je t'aimais, je t'aime, je t'aimerai" and "La corrida", have become enduring favourites in French music. Since the start of his career, Cabrel has sold over 25 million albums.

Francis Cabrel
Cabrel in 2007
Cabrel in 2007
Background information
Birth nameFrancis Christian Cabrel
Born (1953-11-23) 23 November 1953 (age 70)
Agen, Lot-et-Garonne, France
GenresFolk, country, blues
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Years active1974–present
LabelsCBS, Columbia

His first hit song was "Petite Marie" in 1974, which was about the woman who soon became his wife, Mariette.[2] His song "Je l'aime à mourir" was covered by Shakira; this version, both sung in French and Spanish, became a major hit single.[3] Although Francis Cabrel is best known as a French-speaking singer, he also sings in Spanish ("La quiero a morir", "Vengo a ofrecer mi corazón"), and even a little in Occitan ("Giors", "Rockstars du Moyen Âge") and Italian.

An unauthorised biography was published in 2015. Cabrel, who is one of the most private French singers, attempted to have the book suppressed.[4]

Biography edit

Francis Cabrel was born in Agen, Lot-et-Garonne into a modest family of Venetian Veneto descent. His father was a labourer in a biscuit factory and his mother a cashier in a cafeteria. He has a sister, Martine, and a brother, Philippe. He spent his childhood in Astaffort, in Lot-et-Garonne.[5]

Albums edit

Studio albums edit

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications Sales
FRA BEL
(Fl)

[6]
BEL
(Wa)

[7]
CAN QUE ROD SWI
Les Murs de poussière[a]
Les Chemins de traverse
  • Released: 1979
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette
2
  • FRA: 2× Platinum[9]
Fragile
  • Released: 20 May 1980
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette
2
  • FRA: Diamond[9]
Carte postale
  • Released: 14 September 1981
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette
15
  • FRA: 2× Platinum[9]
Quelqu'un de l'intérieur
  • Released: 25 August 1983
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
1
  • FRA: 2× Platinum[8]
  • CAN: Gold
Photos de voyages
  • Released: 9 October 1985
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
6 1
Sarbacane
  • Released: 21 February 1989
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
1 1
Samedi soir sur la Terre
  • Released: 3 April 1994
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD • MiniDisc
1 1 1
Hors-saison
  • Released: 29 March 1999
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD • digital download
1 1 1
Les Beaux Dégâts
  • Released: 17 May 2004
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • CD • SACD • digital download
1 75 1 9 2 3
Des roses et des orties
  • Released: 31 March 2008
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • CD • digital download
1 81 1 5 3 3
  • FRA: Diamond[9]
  • BEL: 2× Platinum[16]
  • SWI: Platinum[11]
Vise le ciel ou Bob Dylan revisité
  • Released: 22 October 2012
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • CD • digital download
1 63 1 14 3 10
In extremis
  • Released: 27 April 2015
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • CD • digital download
1 81 1 5 3 3
  • FRA: 3× Platinum[9]
  • BEL: Platinum[19]
À l'Aube revenant
  • Released: 16 October 2020
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • CD • digital download
1
[21]
49 1 1
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Live albums edit

List of live albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications Sales
FRA BEL
(Fl)

[6]
BEL
(Wa)

[7]
CAN QUE ROD SWI
Cabrel Public
  • Released: 16 November 1984
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
1
  • FRA: 2× Platinum[8]
  • CAN: Platinum[10]
D'une ombre à l'Autre
  • Released: 30 September 1991
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
33
  • FRA: 2× Platinum[8]
Double Tour (Électrique & Acoustique)
  • Released: 16 October 2000
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • CD • digital download
2 15 43
  • FRA: 2× Gold[8]
La tournée des Bodegas
  • Released: 21 November 2005
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: LP • CD • CD/DVD • digital download
15 21 63
L'In Extremis Tour
  • Released: 14 October 2016
  • Label: Sony
  • Format: LP • CD • CD/DVD • digital download
4 110 3 4 16
Trobador Tour
  • Released: 3 December 2021
  • Label: Sony
  • Format: LP • CD • CD/DVD • digital download
16
[22]
7
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums edit

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications Sales
FRA BEL
(Fl)
BEL
(Wa)
CAN QUE ROD SWI
Canta en Español
  • Released: 1985
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
Cabrel 77-87
  • Released: 17 November 1987
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
28 12 19
Algo más de amor (1990)
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: CBS
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
Algo más de amor (1998)
  • Released: 6 April 1998
  • Label: Colombia
  • Format: LP • cassette • CD
27
L'Essentiel 1977–2007
  • Released: 1 June 2007
  • Label: Colombia
  • Format: LP • CD • CD/DVD • digital download
44 1 3 13 13
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Box sets edit

List of box sets, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications Sales
FRA
Les Murs de poussière / Les Chemins de traverse / Fragile
  • Released: 4 November 1996
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: CD
  • FRA: Platinum[8]
Carte postale / Quelqu'un de l'intérieur / Photos de voyages
  • Released: 4 November 1996
  • Label: Columbia
  • Format: CD
Cabrel Public / Sarbacane / Samedi soir sur la Terre
  • Released: 7 October 2002
  • Label: Sony
  • Format: CD
193
Collection 1977-1989
  • Released: 20 November 2015
  • Label: Sony
  • Format: CD
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles edit

As lead artist edit

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
FRA BEL
(Wa)
QUE
"L'instant d'amour" 1977 Francis Cabrel
"Petite Marie" 137
"Pas trop de peine" 1978
"Les Murs de poussière"
"Je l'aime à mourir" 1979 1 Les Chemins de traverse
"Je rêve" 15
"L'Encre de tes yeux" 1980 5 13 Fragile
"Je pense encore à toi" 18
"La dame de Haute-Savoie" 1981
"Carte postale" Carte postale
"Répondez-moi" 1982
"La fille qui m'accompagne" 1983 Quelqu'un de l'intérieur
"Saïd et Mohammed" 1984
"Question d'équilibre" 2
"Encore et encore" 1985 14 4 Photos de voyages
"Tourner les hélicos" 17
"Je te suivrai" 1986
"Il faudra leur dire"
(Cabrel and the children)
2 1 Cabrel 77-87
"Sarbacane" 1989 30 1 Sarbacane
"C'est écrit" 6 4
"Animal" 31 1
"Tout le monde y pense" 1990 19
"Petite Marie" (live) 5 8 D'une ombre à l'autre
"Je t'aimais, je t'aime, je t'aimerai" 1994 78 1 Samedi soir sur la Terre
"La cabane du pêcheur" 1
"La Corrida" 7 3
"Octobre" 1995 88 1
"Samedi soir sur la Terre" 14
"Vengo a ofrecer mi corazón"
(with Mercedes Sosa)
1997 39 Algo más de amor (1998)
"Presque rien" 1999 8 Hors-saison
"Le reste du temps" 1
"Hors-saison" 133
"Le monde est sourd" 2000 2
"Ma place dans le trafic" (live) Double Tour
"Bonne nouvelle" 2004 7 Les Beaux Dégâts
"Qu'est-ce que t'en dis?" 9
"Tu me corresponds"
"Les gens absents" 2005 15
"Je pense encore à toi" (live) La tournée des Bodegas
"Gardien de nuit" 2006 40 Le Soldat Rose
"Le gorille" 2007 L'Essentiel 1977-2007
"La robe et l'échelle" 2008 2 11 Des roses et des orties
"Le chêne liège" 31 34
"Des hommes pareils" 2009 22 21
"Né dans le Bayou" 23
"Les cardinaux en costume" (live) 17[b]
"Comme une femme" 2012 130 5[b] Vise le ciel ou Bob Dylan revisité
"Je te veux" 26[b]
"Partir pour rester" 2015 42 39 In extremis
"Dur comme fer" 13[b]
"À chaque amour que nous ferons" 141
"Le pays d'à côté" 2016 28[b]
"Te ressembler" 2020 25 À l'Aube revenant
"Peuple des fontaines" 2021 144
"À l'Aube revenant" 88
"Rockstars du Moyen Âge" 98
"Un morceau de Sicre" 2023
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

As featured artist edit

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
FRA BEL
(Wa)
"La complainte de la butte"
(with Patrick Bruel)
2002 48 Entre deux
"Tout reste à faire"
(with Souad Massi)
2010 15[b] Ô houria
"Petite Marie"
(with Umberto Tozzi)
2012 25[b] Yesterday: The Best of 1976-2012
"Sueno"
(Gipsy Kings featuring Francis Cabrel)
2014 Savor Flamenco
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Other charted songs edit

List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
FRA BEL
(Wa)
"Madame n'aime pas" 2009 12[b] Des roses et des orties
"Les filles à quoi ça sert"
(with Bénabar, Jean-Jacques Goldman and Alain Souchon)
2011 3[b] Titeuf
"Lucie"
(with Nolwenn Leroy)
2014 193 Kiss & Love
"Mademoiselle l'aventure" 2015 150 Des roses et des orties
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Videography edit

  • Sarbacane tour (1989)

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ Les Murs de poussière was originally released as Francis Cabrel.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i These songs did not enter the Ultratop 50 (Walloon), but rather the sales chart Ultratip 50.

References edit

  1. ^ Enderlein, Isabelle (2008). La chanson française depuis 1945: intertextualité et intermédialité. ISBN 978-3-89975-135-2.
  2. ^ Source in French: Perrine Stenger for Voici. 8 April 2015.
  3. ^ Francis Cabrel : les secrets de son couple dévoilés
  4. ^ Source in French: Marc Fourny for Le Point. 30 April 2015. Francis Cabrel embarrassé sur sa vie privée
  5. ^ Cabrel official website, franciscabrel.com; accessed 21 June 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Discografie Francis Cabrel" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Discographie Francis Cabrel" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Les Certifications & Les Ventes". Info Disc. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Les Certifications". SNEP. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. 31 May 1990. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Gold/platinum". Hit Parade. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  12. ^ a b Berthelot, Théau (17 March 2019). "Francis Cabrel raconte l'album "Sarbacane", qui fête ses 30 ans". Charts in France. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Gold/platinum 2008". Ultra Top. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  14. ^ "Les disques d'or/de platine - albums 2003" [Gold/platinum 2003] (in French). Ultra Top. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Gold/platinum 2004". Ultra Top. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Gold/platinum 2009". Ultra Top. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  17. ^ a b Hamard, Jonathan (26 September 2015). "Francis Cabrel toujours au top : 300.000 ventes pour son nouvel album "In Extremis"". Charts in France. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Gold/platinum 2012". Ultra Top. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  19. ^ "Gold/platinum 2015". Ultra Top. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  20. ^ Hamard, Jonathan (20 July 2015). "Clip de "Dur comme fer" : Francis Cabrel égratigne les politiques français". Charts in France. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  21. ^ "Top Albums (Week 43, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  22. ^ "Top Albums (Week 49, 2021)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Les Disques D'Or/De Platine - Albums 1997". Ultra Top. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  24. ^ 2013 "Gold/platinum 2013". Ultra Top. Retrieved 27 April 2019. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)

External links edit

Preceded by Victoires de la Musique
Male artist of the year

1990
Succeeded by