Four albums recorded in France and one song that should have been
We look at which bands used French recording studios and the most French sounding song recorded in London
The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Kate Bush have all recorded in France
Ben Houdijk / Tony Norkus / Kraft74 / Shutterstock
From the late 1960s to the end of the 1970s, British musicians headed to recording studios across the Channel in search of creativity and easy living.
France was considered a liberated country where musicians could be louche at their leisure while working on their next album.
Here are four classic LPs recorded in France – and one song, the most licentious of the lot, that you would have thought must have been made in decadent France but wasn’t.
Read more: Paris classed ‘world’s third most musical city’ in new ranking
1. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones (1972), Villa Nellcôte
Escaping from their tax problems and in search of hedonism in the sun, the Stones holed up in Keith Richard’s villa on the Côte d’Azur and used a mobile recording truck to work on their new album in the basement.
It has to be admitted that none of the 18 tracks is a standout work of genius – no one chooses ‘Turd on the Run’ as a Desert Island Disc.
It is said that some session musicians took so many drugs they couldn’t remember being there.
2. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John (1973), Château d’Hérouville
Elton John’s seventh studio album was recorded in this 18th century chateau north of Paris.
An earlier Elton John album, Honky Chateau, was named after the building.
The Gibb Brothers (the Bee Gees) wrote ‘Stayin’ Alive’ while staying here.
When David Bowie came here to record ‘Low’, his friends were convinced it was haunted.
Read more: Video: Elton John in surprise performance at Cannes restaurant
Read more: Bowie bassist’s chance collaboration with French music star next door
3. Lionheart, Kate Bush (1978), Berre-les-Alpes
Her second studio album, and the only one to be recorded outside the UK, was produced at Super Bear Studios in Berre-les-Alpes, a converted restaurant on the Riviera.
She was still only 20 years old.
The building is still there, but is no longer a recording studio.
Paul McCartney and Queen also recorded here.
4. The Wall, Pink Floyd, (1979) Château de Miraval
This studio created by Jacques Loussier was chosen for Pink Floyd’s concept album.
Other artists who have passed through here include Judas Priest, the Cranberries and the Cure.
The chateau is now owned by Brad Pitt who plans to reopen the recording studio
Read more: Brad Pitt to revive legendary music studio based in his French chateau
5. ‘Je t’aime…moi non plus’, Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin (1969), London
The sixties may have been liberated but this steamy and scandalous song was a step of important French licentiousness to set any stiff upper lip trembling.
The British tabloids were convinced that they could hear the couple having sex next to a live microphone.
In fact, it wasn’t recorded in France at all but in a mundane studio in Marble Arch, London, with each of the singers in his or her own ‘telephone cabin’.
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