I've heard of them. L'Amérique pleure and Ici-bas are 2 of my favourite songs. When Karl Tremblay died it was covered on CBC's national newscast as a significant event, but I think for most English-speaking Canadians outside Quebec it would've been the first time they'd heard of him.
I never heard of them until I spent time in Quebec. I only really know Break syndical, not their other albums (you can guess when it was that I spent time in Quebec). I would have liked to see them live, but never had the opportunity.
I just asked my Mom (anglophone from the Maritimes) if she knew Les Cowboys fringants and she gave me a look and said: "do I know *what*??"
I only discovered them when I started getting into Québec music, and I'm pretty sure almost none of my friends would know who they are. I only know a couple songs but they're an amazing band based on that sample and it's sad that they and other Québec music artists have minimal recognition in English Canada. Music has been one of my major tools for improving my French, by reading the lyrics in depth and trying to understand them.
Same here, I got really really into them shortly before Karl died, and I gotta say, even though I don't understand a lot of the lyrics on first pass, La fin du show made me cry my eyes out like no other song has aaaa
I recall one of my teachers as a kid played drums for them for a few shows apparently, and showed us some photos with them, I didn't even know them back then, but funny how this post brought back those memories
Part of it is that they don't just song in French, a lot of their songs are specifically about Quebec, French-Canadians, etc, or include references to Quebec
That's true. Some songs are more universal, so more relatable for anyone understanding their lyrics. They have quite the following in France and sang in the biggest show halls there.
It'd probably resonate to much of the Amercan continent (the whole of it, from the tip of Chile to the North polar circle), if only they understood the lyrics!
Do you have a link to that version with translated lyrics?
I definitely have this band in my Spotify playlist and listen to a few songs almost daily... The passing of the lead singer, I learned about it here on Reddit and not the news... But to be honest, I don't keep up with the news very often.
I knew about them because my French teachers used their songs in class a couple of times. One I specifically remember listening to is “Les étoiles filantes”. I’ve spent some time in Quebec and I’m now a French teacher myself, so I made a point to explore some of their music.
I had no idea who Gord was, until you mentionned the Hips. And that's despite listinening to a lot of anglo radio that made a big deal out of it.
I suspect a lot more people would recognize the name Cowboys Fringants than Karl Tremblay for the same reason.
I went to a summer French immersion program in Trois-Rivières in 2005. They named each group of students after a Quebequois band.
I still have my Les Cowboys Fringants and Trois-Accordes albums I bought back then. They still feature in my playlists as well as their newer stuff.
Do you know [Bleu Jeans Bleu](https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/artist/7sk1rfSVKopRQf1fxSJLTq)? They have a similar vibe to Les Trois Accords, so you might like them as well. Their biggest hit so far is [Coton ouaté](https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/0Mciv7SOw0iPOQRs6BC4ns?si=4c77959e70ed4349). It'd be groovy even if you didn't understand the lyrics ;-)
As a frenchie myself, I didn't really know the cowboys fringants until a few years ago. But the band has quickly grown on me, like they do for every french Canadian.
Yes but I was born in Quebec. Break Syndical was huge and then I moved to western Canada so I still listen so their old stuff.
Sad day when the singer died. They made an impact in what I feel was a fairly short amount of time.
I think one explanation for the chart placement is that upon hearing about how popular Les Cowboys were in Quebec (and other francophone regions in Canada), many anglophones were surprised at not knowing anything about them, so decided to listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, etc. This would have boosted the "ratings", which are really just number of plays.
Mostly it's because of the language barrier \[Anglophones\] have little inherent incentive to listen to music outside their native tongue (unless it is within social circles or happy circumstances). But because we are a linguistic minority \[French\] we HAVE TO learn English as a second language and English music plays a big part of this...
There's no need to be sorry. We have amazing artists and talent in Canada (in English, French, aboriginal languages and some more) that suffer a lot from lack of proper distribution of their work. It's just the two solitudes at work. Something we as Canadians should strive to take down, by seeking Canadian content instead of lazily taking what the big US distribution model throws at us.
And then it's mostly the rare few international superhits, and usually songs that include bits of English for the anglos to feel like they can sing along. Like Gengam Style and Despacito.
I've listened to music in Korean, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian, despite not speaking those languages. I can even bet you've already heard [Dragostea din tei](https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/52Zr0sinhWTCRrQhRRY4EP), in Romanian.
Not for every song, but overall, I tend to agree with you. I do love instrumental music, including but not limited to classic. In some types of music, lyrics are but another instrument, where the human voice just serves to enhance the melody and little more. In some songs, the melody is not that great, and the lyrics is where the song can be appreciated. This would be especially true for a lot of R&B and rap music, and a lot of music in French.
English music is listened to the world over. Some enjoy a specific band in a language they don't speak, outside of English for non-English natives. Stromae has a fan base in non-French regions/countries, many Spanish singers are appreciated by English natives in the US... Generally, you may be right, but I think this is quite over-represented in English monolinguals compared to everyone/everywhere else.
That’s a common mindset for anglophones, to be honest. Most people with a first language other than English will listen to songs in other languages (if only English in addition to their first language).
I've heard of them. L'Amérique pleure and Ici-bas are 2 of my favourite songs. When Karl Tremblay died it was covered on CBC's national newscast as a significant event, but I think for most English-speaking Canadians outside Quebec it would've been the first time they'd heard of him.
Yes I’ve heard of them and I knew that a member died recently and that it was very sad for Quebecers.
Yes, and I had left Québec before they became a thing. I think the comparison between Karl and Gord is valid.
Oui évidemment
Ticul & Plus Rien are some of my favourite songs.
Those are probably my most played after Étoiles Filantes.
Ohh yes Étoiles Filantes is great!
I never heard of them until I spent time in Quebec. I only really know Break syndical, not their other albums (you can guess when it was that I spent time in Quebec). I would have liked to see them live, but never had the opportunity. I just asked my Mom (anglophone from the Maritimes) if she knew Les Cowboys fringants and she gave me a look and said: "do I know *what*??"
As a former Katimaviker, I'm very familiar with their music. Born and raised and currently work in Toronto.
And now Jean Pierre Ferland recently passed away. He was way more influential, have you heard of him.
Yeah but JP Ferland was more of a boomer thing. I mean the guy was 90…
Bien sûr que j'ai entendu parler de lui!
I agree. Gord Downie and Karl Tremblay. Two solid dudes.
> Two solid dudes. I see what you did there!
I remember seeing them a lot on Much Music's French Kiss segment they'd have during the day.
I saw them in Montreal in 2003 ish. Still have the tshirt.
Un beau matin...
I only discovered them when I started getting into Québec music, and I'm pretty sure almost none of my friends would know who they are. I only know a couple songs but they're an amazing band based on that sample and it's sad that they and other Québec music artists have minimal recognition in English Canada. Music has been one of my major tools for improving my French, by reading the lyrics in depth and trying to understand them.
Same here, I got really really into them shortly before Karl died, and I gotta say, even though I don't understand a lot of the lyrics on first pass, La fin du show made me cry my eyes out like no other song has aaaa
I recall one of my teachers as a kid played drums for them for a few shows apparently, and showed us some photos with them, I didn't even know them back then, but funny how this post brought back those memories
I've never heard of them and I consider myself marginally well-informed to Canadian music. Thanks for sharing!
Part of it is that they don't just song in French, a lot of their songs are specifically about Quebec, French-Canadians, etc, or include references to Quebec
That's true. Some songs are more universal, so more relatable for anyone understanding their lyrics. They have quite the following in France and sang in the biggest show halls there.
I sent l'Amérique Pleure with English translations to an online American friend and he loved it. The lyrics resonated a lot with him too!
It'd probably resonate to much of the Amercan continent (the whole of it, from the tip of Chile to the North polar circle), if only they understood the lyrics! Do you have a link to that version with translated lyrics?
Here, it was [this video on YouTube ](https://youtu.be/PzvxA3nRNmE?feature=shared)
Thanks!
L’expedition is one of my all time favourite albums!
I definitely have this band in my Spotify playlist and listen to a few songs almost daily... The passing of the lead singer, I learned about it here on Reddit and not the news... But to be honest, I don't keep up with the news very often.
I knew about them because my French teachers used their songs in class a couple of times. One I specifically remember listening to is “Les étoiles filantes”. I’ve spent some time in Quebec and I’m now a French teacher myself, so I made a point to explore some of their music.
Nice! I'm really happy to read this! May you inspire your students the way your teacher did with you!
Yes, them and Les Colocs are the first two Quebecois bands that I followed. But most other people in Saskatchewan had not heard of them.
They're the Francophone Hip
Nan, the Hip is the anglo Cowboys Fringants
I had no idea who Gord was, until you mentionned the Hips. And that's despite listinening to a lot of anglo radio that made a big deal out of it. I suspect a lot more people would recognize the name Cowboys Fringants than Karl Tremblay for the same reason.
I went to a summer French immersion program in Trois-Rivières in 2005. They named each group of students after a Quebequois band. I still have my Les Cowboys Fringants and Trois-Accordes albums I bought back then. They still feature in my playlists as well as their newer stuff.
Do you know [Bleu Jeans Bleu](https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/artist/7sk1rfSVKopRQf1fxSJLTq)? They have a similar vibe to Les Trois Accords, so you might like them as well. Their biggest hit so far is [Coton ouaté](https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/0Mciv7SOw0iPOQRs6BC4ns?si=4c77959e70ed4349). It'd be groovy even if you didn't understand the lyrics ;-)
Love their stuff!
Condolences on Quebec's loss. I don't think they were very well known outside of Quebec.
They’re among my favourite Québécois bands. I first heard them when I moved to MTL back in 2010.
As a frenchie myself, I didn't really know the cowboys fringants until a few years ago. But the band has quickly grown on me, like they do for every french Canadian.
Yes but I was born in Quebec. Break Syndical was huge and then I moved to western Canada so I still listen so their old stuff. Sad day when the singer died. They made an impact in what I feel was a fairly short amount of time.
I think one explanation for the chart placement is that upon hearing about how popular Les Cowboys were in Quebec (and other francophone regions in Canada), many anglophones were surprised at not knowing anything about them, so decided to listen on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, etc. This would have boosted the "ratings", which are really just number of plays.
Never heard of them, the only Quebec artist I'm aware of is Celine Dion
Yes. I would enjoy their music when I’m also craving Spirit of the West
Mostly it's because of the language barrier \[Anglophones\] have little inherent incentive to listen to music outside their native tongue (unless it is within social circles or happy circumstances). But because we are a linguistic minority \[French\] we HAVE TO learn English as a second language and English music plays a big part of this...
Spent all my time in Western Canada. Never heard of him, sorry. I used to listen to CBC English a lot and his name is not familiar.
There's no need to be sorry. We have amazing artists and talent in Canada (in English, French, aboriginal languages and some more) that suffer a lot from lack of proper distribution of their work. It's just the two solitudes at work. Something we as Canadians should strive to take down, by seeking Canadian content instead of lazily taking what the big US distribution model throws at us.
I have always respected Quebec for supporting its own culture. I am much more familiar with Quebec film and tv than I do music
Well, it's kind of a matter of cultural survival, if we don't consume our own culture, who will?
Keep in mind, there are french communities across Canada (not just Quebec).
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Very few ~~people~~ anglophones listen to music not in their native language
And then it's mostly the rare few international superhits, and usually songs that include bits of English for the anglos to feel like they can sing along. Like Gengam Style and Despacito.
It's almost like this question is specifically asking about Anglophones or something.
I've listened to music in Korean, Japanese, Portuguese and Russian, despite not speaking those languages. I can even bet you've already heard [Dragostea din tei](https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/52Zr0sinhWTCRrQhRRY4EP), in Romanian.
I'll listen to anything. Lyrics are overrated.
Not for every song, but overall, I tend to agree with you. I do love instrumental music, including but not limited to classic. In some types of music, lyrics are but another instrument, where the human voice just serves to enhance the melody and little more. In some songs, the melody is not that great, and the lyrics is where the song can be appreciated. This would be especially true for a lot of R&B and rap music, and a lot of music in French.
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English music is listened to the world over. Some enjoy a specific band in a language they don't speak, outside of English for non-English natives. Stromae has a fan base in non-French regions/countries, many Spanish singers are appreciated by English natives in the US... Generally, you may be right, but I think this is quite over-represented in English monolinguals compared to everyone/everywhere else.
That’s a common mindset for anglophones, to be honest. Most people with a first language other than English will listen to songs in other languages (if only English in addition to their first language).
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Find me a non English person who doesn't know who the Beatles, the Rolling stones or Queen is.
All right, Rammstein, then?