Ten songs about Paris that could help the French celebrate the World Cup

The World Cup was the dominant theme of the sporting world last week but, as not even a lukewarm soccer fan, I saw only about ten minutes of action. The only reason I watched that limited segment is because a game ran for the estimated time, which was ahead of the Judge Judy episode I was intending to watch.

However, a snippet from the post-championship game caught my eye and, more importantly, my ear. As the video played, the Croats, after a heartbreaking defeat in the final round, heard themselves sing a song that I recognized immediately.

It was the Oasis hit “Don’t Look Back In Anger” from the British band’s most popular album, What’s the Story Morning Glory. It is the second most famous song on that album, behind only the classic single “Wonder Wall.”

It struck me as a somewhat strange tune for the World Cup runner-up, but it made me contemplate which song his victorious opponents would choose. Those in the winner’s circle were able to celebrate by playing a well-known song that mentions their country’s capital, the European nation of France.

Here are ten songs that mention that same city in their titles.

Let’s Tango In Paris by the Stranglers

This is one of the acoustic tracks on Feline, the 1980 album that marked the definitive transformation of the punk rock band towards a more accessible sound.

Free Man in Paris by Joni Mitchell

“Help Me” and “Chelsea Morning” were combined with this classic to make Court and Spark the folk singer’s most commercially successful album.

Crimes of Paris by Elvis Costello

French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower are mentioned in this excellent track from the Nick Lowe production Blood and Chocolate.

One night in Paris for 10cc

A musical epic in three parts, this opener sets the stage for the group’s groundbreaking album, The Original Soundtrack.

Paris 1919 by John Cale

After leaving Velvet Underground, Cale made many solo albums, none better than the one this title track came from.

I’m throwing my arms around Morrissey’s Paris

The City of Love might not seem like a likely destination for the Smiths’ often melancholic singer, but here he embraces it figuratively.

Dreaming of Paris by Van Dyke Parks

In addition to producing great Phil Ochs, Harry Nilsson and Biff Rose records, Parks proved here and on other Songs Cycled tracks that he could make great records on his own.

Go to Paris for the Waterboys

It was not as big a hit as “The Whole of the Moon”, but it is more representative of the typical sound of the British alternative band.

I Love Paris by Frank Sinatra

Ella Fitzgerald made the song a standard, but Old Blue Eyes is responsible for my favorite performance.

Leaving Paris by Rufus Wainwright

Loudon’s son and Martha’s sister have made a lot of good records, as this track shows.