French Repertoire

Greek by birth but French by adoption, Nana has an international career. Wherever she performs, she defends the French music. In her 30 albums, Nana sings the texts of her main songwriters: Pierre Delanoë, Claude Lemesle, Eddy Marnay, Michel Jourdan and Serge Lama. In those of 1973 and 1978, she covers old songs.

LES PARAPLUIES DE CHERBOURG 

That movie theme was her first big French success. She recorded it in six languages including Japanese. Over the years, she made it known by interpreting it in her singing tours, always in the original language. Her perfect diction demonstrates her mastery of French.

L'ENFANT AU TAMBOUR

By covering this Christmas classic, in 1965, Nana made of it a timeless song. Whatever the time of year, she can include it in her program. This lasts for more than 50 years. Although several French performers record it, it remains a Nana's success.

ADIEU ANGELINA

That Bob Dylan composition, popularized by Joan Baez, marked the start of her career in France. Despite a dark poetry, it was a success. The EP was one of the best sellers. On that momentum, Nana did her first French tour during the summer of 1967.

LE TEMPS DES CERISES

The addition of that traditional song in her Repertoire confirmed her belonging to France. During her first series of concerts at the Olympia, in the fall of 1967, Nana sang it as last encore. That moment, well chosen, coincided with what is called the consecration of Paris. The audience, enthusiastic, listened to her with admiration before bursting into an endless ovation. For years, Nana sang it a capella. In 1977, it was used as title for a 2-LP collection.

PLAISIR D'AMOUR

It's one of the most famous old French songs. Thanks to the quality of her interpretation, Nana's version stands out. She sang it in duet with Joan Baez, Charles Aznavour and many others. And at 80, she surprised her audience by transiting to the classical tone. There are 11 recordings of that romance. In 1976, it became the title of the fourth volume from the 7 LP Box Set "The best of ..." of Reader's Digest. Four years later, the one of the series "Succès 2 disques".

LE TEMPS QU'IL NOUS RESTE

This is the French version of "I giorni dell'arcobaleno" presented by the Italian Nicolas di Bari at the Eurovision Contest in 1972. In France, that title didn't get the deserved attention and was set on the side 2 of the 45 rpm "Soleil soleil". However, in Quebec, it remained 123 weeks in the charts. It is not surprising that every time she's back for concerts, the public aks her to sing it.

LE CIEL EST NOIR

The French version with the text writen by Pierre Delanoë and the new arrangements is as good if not better than the original one in English. No matter what country, the sublime interpretation of Nana captivates her audience every time. That narrative of nine-minute long remained for a long time exclusive for the stage. In 2007, she recorded a studio version with four of the five couplets.

QUAND TU CHANTES

That catchy samba is an example of commercial success that we can remember easily. While some describe it as an easy song, others enjoy listening and humming it. Moreover, Nana used it for a TV commercial. For her CD of duets, in 2011, she had the joy of singing it with its creator Martinho Da Vila.

JE CHANTE AVEC TOI LIBERTÉ

That adaptation of Verdi's "Nabucco" became her biggest hit in France with 723,000 singles. To that must be added the original album, the classical one and all compilations in which it appears. For Nana, Liberty is an important theme, still current. On the occasion of the French National Day, in 1982, she sang it in front of the Berlin Wall wearing a military uniform. Two years later, during her two galas at the Herod Atticus theater, the lyrics took on their full meaning: "Souviens-toi des jours de ta misère. Mon pays, tes bateaux étaient tes galères" (Remember the days of your misery. My country, your boats were your galleys.).

L'AMOUR EN HÉRITAGE 

Her second greatest hit on 45 rpm in France, in Belgium and in Quebec comes from the television series bearing the same name. With this one, Nana produced her very first video clip; she sings while the painter completes a painting. The release of that theme in several languages didn't take long.

JE REVIENS CHEZ NOUS 

Following her grand return in her own country, in 1984, more than ever, Nana felt what is coming back home. That Quebec piece she knows very well reflects perfectly that reality. In 1971, she adapted it in English. This time, she decided to record it in seven languages. So "Je reviens chez nous" has become the most multilingual song from her Repertoire.

LES FEUILLES MORTES

As twelfth title, we could mention a great French song that Nana knew before coming to France. "Les feuilles mortes" seems to be an evergreen as she often performs it on stage since the release of her CD of movie themes. With piano and saxophone accompaniment, she offers us a jazzy version.