Fais Comme L’Oiseau: A Sunny French Pop Gem from 1979
Alright, let’s talk about Michel Fugain’s Fais Comme L’Oiseau Une Belle Histoire Comme Un Soleil Balade En Bugatti. Yeah, that’s a mouthful of a title, but hey, it’s 1979, and the French were feeling poetic. Released under CBS Special Products, this pop album feels like a warm baguette straight outta the oven—crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and oh-so-satisfying.
The vibe? Totally breezy. It’s one of those records you’d throw on while sipping café au lait or pretending you’re cruising down the Riviera in, well, a Bugatti (or at least dreaming about it). Jean Bouchéty handled the realization, which sounds fancy until you realize it just means he helped shape the sound. Spoiler alert: He nailed it.
Now, onto the tracks. There are four songs here, but two really stuck with me. First up, “Comme Un Soleil.” Man, this tune is sunshine bottled into three minutes of pure joy. The melody bounces around like a happy kid on a trampoline, and Fugain’s voice has this laid-back charm that makes you wanna grab your sunglasses and head outside. I mean, who doesn’t need a little sunbeam in their life? Every time I hear it, I picture myself lying in a field somewhere in Provence, even though I’ve never been to France. Weird, right?
Then there’s “Fais Comme L’Oiseau,” the titular track. This one’s got wings—literally and figuratively. It’s light, airy, and kinda makes you want to spread your arms and soar. The lyrics are simple yet oddly profound, reminding us to live free like birds. Honestly, after listening to it, I almost considered quitting my job to travel the world. Almost. But then rent happened, so… yeah.
The other two tracks, “Une Belle Histoire” and “Balade En Bugatti,” are solid too, don’t get me wrong. They’re like the supporting actors in a movie—they do their job well, but they don’t steal the spotlight. Still, the whole album flows together like a lazy Sunday afternoon. No rush, no stress, just good vibes.
Reflecting on this record, it strikes me how timeless these songs feel. Sure, the production screams ‘70s, but the emotions? Eternal. It’s funny how music can transport you to another place and time without needing a passport. Listening to this album, I didn’t just hear songs—I felt stories. And isn’t that what great music does?
Oh, and here’s a random thought: If someone told me back in 1979 that people would still be talking about this album decades later, I’d probably laugh and say, “Yeah, right.” Yet here we are. Funny how life works sometimes, huh?
