Édith Piaf’s song Non je ne regrette rien marked after a long period
of creative crisis the beginning of her new rise and her contemporaries saw it as
a lifetime’s confession To investigate this dominant position this article focuses
on the song’s lyrics and melody Furthermore the genre of Chanson réaliste is an
important aspect of the reception which has not been considered until now This
typical French genre is well investigated and Édith Piaf is regarded as one of its
main representatives. In comparison to Non, je ne regrette rien, this article has
a closer look to her Chanson réaliste, Elle fréquentait la rue Pigalle and it will
be investigated how far Non je ne regrette rien satisfies the criteria of a Chanson
réaliste as well This article argues that the type of song can explain why the onesided
interpretation of Non je ne regerette rien in which its content is understood
as a statement to Piaf’s life to date became dominant.

EB00000002878K

Available

• Édith Piafs Jahrhunderterfolg Non, je ne regrette rien und das Chanson réaliste