La Révolution française dans la musique populaire Ou l’instrument symbolique sans frontière (1950-2010)

Our paper will endeavor to identify a musical world, primarily Anglo-American, but also Francophone, which, for more than fifty years has employed the French Revolution in its titles, in the lyrics of its songs, and on its album jackets. For some, the French Revolution inspires hope for political and social progress; for others, it was a period synonymous with clichés and costumes. Whatever the reason, the French Revolution contains a myriad of symbolic possibilities for musicians which allows them to envisage the society in which they live all while recounting History.