In 1963, French pop singer Henri Salvador released a single entitled Count Basie. It was Neal Hefti's ballad Li'l Darlin' with French lyrics written by Daniel Franck. Salvador and the Double Six vocal harmony group was accompanied by an orchestra led by French pianist and arranger Christian Chevallier. Here's the single...
A few weeks ago, JazzWax reader Peter Sokolowski provided the French lyrics and English translation. And a special thanks to Rémi Carémel in Paris who hosts In the Shadow of Studios, a terrific site devoted to French vocal groups and pop singers. If you're going to sing along, use the French lyrics:
Tout les matins quand j' sors du lit
Je mets un disque de Count Basie
Il ne m'en faut pas d'avantage
Pour m'enlever tous mes soucis
Juste un p'tit disque de Count Basie
En prenant mon café au lit
J'écoute un disque de Count Basie
Et ça me donne du courage
Je me sens comme au paradis
Avec un disque de Count Basie
Juste un p'tit disque de Count Basie
Un bon p'tit disque de Count Basie
Here's the English translation:
Each morning when I get out of bed
I put on a Count Basie record
It takes nothing more than that
To send all my worries away
Just a little Count Basie record
As I have my coffee in bed
I listen to a Count Basie record
And it gives me strength and spirit
I feel like I’m in heaven
With a Count Basie record
Just a Count Basie record
A good Count Basie record
Here's Henri Salvador (center) in concert with Les Angels singing Count Basie, with Christian Chevallier at the piano (don't forget to click to unmute)...
