The World Cup was the dominant topic of the sports world last week but, as not even a lukewarm fan of soccer, I saw only about ten minutes of the action. The only reason I happened to see that limited segment is because a game ran over the estimated time, which pre-empted the Judge Judy episode I had intended to watch.
Nevertheless, a snippet of the post championship game caught my eye and, more importantly my ear. As the video played the Croatians, after a heartbreaking loss in the final round were heard singing a song I immediately recognized.
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 from that record, trailing only the classic single “Wonder Wall.”
I found it somewhat of an odd tune for the runner-up in the World Cup, but it made me contemplate what song their victorious opponents would choose. Those in the winner’s circle could celebrate by playing some well-known song the mention the capitol of their country, the European nation of France.
Here are ten songs that mention that very city in their titles.
Let’s Tango In Paris by the Stranglers
This is one of the acoustic numbers from Feline, the 1980 album that marked the punk rock band’s definitive transformation into a more accessible sound.
Free Man In Paris by Joni Mitchell
“Help Me” and “Chelsea Morning” combined with this classic to make Court and Spark the most commercially successful album of the folk songstress.
Crimes of Paris by Elvis Costello
French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower are mentioned in this fine track from the Nick Lowe produced Blood and Chocolate.
Une Nuit A Paris by 10cc
A three part musical epic, this opener sets the stage for the group’s breakthrough album The Original Soundtrack.
Paris 1919 by John Cale
After leaving the Velvet Underground Cale made many solo records, none better than the one from which this title track comes.me
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris by Morrissey
The city of love would not appear to be a likely destination for the frequently melancholy singer of the Smiths, but here he figuratively embraces it.
Dreaming of Paris by Van Dyke Parks
In addition to producing great discs by Phil Ochs, Harry Nilsson and Biff Rose, Parks demonstrated here and on other tracks from Songs Cycled that he could make great records of his own.
Going To Paris by 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 alternative British band.
I Love Paris by Frank Sinatra
Ella Fitzgerald made the song a standard, but Old Blue Eyes is responsible for my favorite rendition.
Leaving For Paris by Rufus Wainwright
The son of Loudon and sister of Martha has made many good records of his own, as this track proves.