Patrick Bade
Chanson at War
Summary
The chanson, the French word for song, holds a special place in French culture. During the Second World War and the German occupation in France, the chanson took on a new role. Despite censorship and restrictions, popular songs became a subtle yet sharp way to issue commentary on current events.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.
He certainly schmoozed with Nazis. How bad his collaboration was, I can’t really say. There is a film clip where he talks in English and tries to exculpate himself.
There were lots of people who wrote feel-good songs. I don’t know how much they were officially encouraged to do it, but of course things were censored. If they didn’t conform to what was wanted, they could be suppressed.