ABSTRACT
In France, the term chanson francaise refers to various concepts which determined the criteria by social origin, age, cultural heritage, musical practice, or listening habits. On a broader scale, that of educational programs, cultural policies, record labels, places where music is played, and musical prerogatives, the representations of chanson francaise are also diverse, some favorable to its development, others indifferent or even hostile to its existence. In the 1950s the singer-songwriter style was a sign of chanson francaise, but beginning with the yeye wave of the 1960s, the influence of pop, rock, and reggae sounds encouraged many younger artists to turn away from this tradition by favoring rhythm and dance to lyrics and melodies. Beyond the social representations according to which chanson francaise is an outdated genre, this diversity calls on the coexistence of several artistic families that correspond to different social realities.
