How Music is Helping Me Practice French

Do you ever find yourself singing along to a song in another language—only to realize you're actually learning without even trying? Beyond practicing French on Duolingo, Jumpspeak, and reading bilingual books on PrismaText, I’ve found another secret weapon in my language-learning journey: YouTube. Okay, so it may not be such a big secret to some, but learning through music sing-along videos may not be your first thought. Or second, or third. But music is a great way to absorb language, and there are always music videos on YouTube.

I’ve put together a French playlist that I sing along to (often loudly, always passionately). I look for videos that include lyrics (paroles), but when they’re missing, I just hit closed captions and hope for the best. I find that if you listen to a song long enough, you start to sing it on your own—even if you’re not exactly sure what you’re saying at first! It’s one of the best ways to absorb pronunciation and rhythm and just hear how different people express the same words.

J'espère que vous apprécierez la musique - I hope you enjoy the music...

"Je Vole" – Louane

I couldn't watch this video the first dozen or so times without crying. It’s so touching and ridiculously beautiful. I learned that Louane’s rendition is notable for being fully sung, unlike Michel Sardou’s original, which was mostly spoken with just a sung refrain. In the film La Famille Bélier, it’s a pivotal emotional moment—and Louane’s voice delivers every ounce of feeling.

"Je m'en vais" – Vianney

So soft, sincere, and beautifully understated is this song. Vianney has a way of making even the simplest lyrics hit home. It’s a great song to sing along with because the melody is smooth and clear, and it sticks with you.

"Non, Non, Non" – Camélia Jordana

This one is just plain fun to sing. It’s light, catchy, and the chorus is super repeatable—even if you're a beginner. I’ve definitely had this stuck in my head on more than one occasion. It's an absolute favorite!

"Christine" – Christine and the Queens

Well... how could I not include this one when it’s my name? But beyond that, it’s an amazing track. It has a great rhythm and beat that you can't help but bop around and dance to it. Plus she doesn't sing too fast so you have a chance to be able to sing along and keep up - until she starts to rap a bit and gets a bit faster.

"Les Oubliés" – Gauvain Sers

"Les Oubliés" ("The Forgotten Ones") - Ooophh! This is a powerful tribute to rural communities in France that feel left behind. Gauvain Sers's passion is apparent in this song. It’s emotional, reflective, and beautifully done.

"Ma Philosophie" – Amel Bent

Amel Bent’s voice is rich, beautiful, and confident. I love listening to this song when I need a little bad-ass boost. This song has so much swagger. Talk about empowering. It's all about self-worth and staying true to who you are.

"Mon Amour" – Naâman

This song is so pretty—it has this mellow, reggae-infused sound that just lifts you up and makes you smile. I was really sad to learn of Naâman's death on February 7, 2025, at the age of 34, after battling a brain tumor that he was diagnosed with in 2019. The world lost a beautiful songbird, truly. His voice had such warmth and soul. RIP Naâman

"Plus rien ne m’étonne" – Tiken Jah Fakoly

This one’s a classic—and what a great phrase to learn: "Plus rien ne m’étonne" (Nothing surprises me anymore). Between the beat and the lyrics, it just sticks. And Fakoly’s voice has this grounded, powerful energy.

"Dernière danse" – Indila

Indila brings this haunting, ethereal quality to her music that just pulls you in. "Dernière danse" is dramatic, emotional, and totally captivating. It’s one of those songs you feel before you even understand every word. But she repeats a lot of words, so you get to practice.

These are just a few from my playlist, but each song helps me engage with the language in a different way. Singing along, even imperfectly, makes the process fun, immersive, and emotional—and isn’t that how language should be learned?

I know French music isn't everybody's scene - I did think it was mine - until I started to listen to it. I hope you give them a listen - who knows you may find out you like it. Thank you for reading - Merci d'avoir lu.

One last thing....And if you're also learning Portuguese or Spanish, I’ve already put together playlist articles for those too—filled with songs that make language learning feel more like a dance party than a drill. Check them out and enjoy!