French Music: Jacques Dutronc: "Les Playboys" 1966
Dutronc defined suave style and ironic music in an era of vapid love songs and hippie freedom songs
"Les Playboys" (1966) stands out as a cornerstone of Jacques Dutronc's debut album, establishing his unique singing style in a wash of lovesick crooners and hippie peace and love melodies reflecting anglophone sensibilities. Dutronc emphasized French language and style, even as he embraced elements of American and British fashion. Backed up by The Mods, a nod to the London subculture of the late 1950s early 1960s, characterized by stylish, tailored clothing, a love for modern jazz, soul, and R&B, and scooters, particularly Vespas and Lambrettas – as seen in The Who’s Quadrophenia.
With a clean-cut, sharp fashion sense and amphetamine-fueled energy, the Mods conservative look and rebellious style came to typify Jacques Dutronc.
"Les Playboys," sold 600,000 copies as a single and was a part of his debut album, reached number one on the French singles chart shortly after its release, staying there position for six weeks.
His debut album made him an instant star. In an era dominated by flower-power, Dutronc stood out with sharp suits, a playful edge and the inevitable cigar. His blend of goofiness and suave charisma with an edgy rock sound, distinguished him in the French music scene. Often satirizing the yéyé movement, Dutronc’s irony and wit created a new kind of singer in France.
Most contemporary singers dealt with standard themes of love, romance and maybe some teenage rebellion along with the hippie movement, which Dutronc clearly had a distaste for. A radio broadcasting nothing but love songs sounds a bit strange , but the spectrum for singers of the era was much more narrow.
Dutronc was also one half of one of France’s most famous celebrity couples of the 20th Century. Françoise Hardyand Jacques Dutronc began their relationship in 1967, had a son together in 1973. They married in 1981 in what Hardy described as “a mostly uninteresting formality” due to its practicality, aimed at providing stability for their family and simplifying legal matters. Despite their later separation, Hardy and Dutronc remained close, maintaining a deep bond and mutual respect throughout their lives.