What is this earwormy song with French lyrics and a dance beat?

February 28, 2014 1:08 PM

I was in a coffee bar last night and I heard a song that I am dying to track down.

The lead vocal was in French, and I believe the singer was female. There was an insistent dance beat behind her, but it didn't seem directly related to what she was singing. The mood/tempo was similar to Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega. I feel certain I have heard this song in a film before, but not sure which one.

Any ideas?

posted by apparently to Media & Arts (14 answers total)

You might investigate Yelle.
posted by kaseijin at 1:34 PM on February 28, 2014 [1 favorite]

Some sort of remix of Joe le Taxi?
posted by Middlemarch at 1:34 PM on February 28, 2014

Try Les Nubians, El Son Reggae.
posted by delight at 1:40 PM on February 28, 2014

it wasn't this sexy sonofabitch, was it?
posted by St. Peepsburg at 1:58 PM on February 28, 2014

Dans Mes Reves by Desire??
posted by masquesoporfavor at 2:03 PM on February 28, 2014

Check out The Dining Rooms also.
posted by perhapses at 2:05 PM on February 28, 2014

If it isn't Stereo Total that's OK because you're still going to like it: Musique Automatique.
posted by carsonb at 2:15 PM on February 28, 2014 [1 favorite]

Something by Camille? e.g. Ta Douleur
posted by sianifach at 2:36 PM on February 28, 2014

If it was Yelle, it sounds like you were describing Ce Jeu.
posted by strangecargo at 2:39 PM on February 28, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks for all of the ideas so far -- lots here to like, even if not exactly what I am looking for tonight! The Dining Rooms are in the right vein -- there's definitely an ambient/lounge quality to the underlying music.
posted by apparently at 3:36 PM on February 28, 2014

France Gall - Ella, Elle L'a? It's a gem (and incidentally about Ella Fitzgerald).
posted by beisny at 4:27 PM on February 28, 2014

Ingrid St-Pierre?
posted by gregvr at 7:36 PM on February 28, 2014

Paris Combo?

Pink Martini also has some ear-wormy songs, and often sing in French, but I can't find anything that fits your description.
posted by GrumpyDan at 11:02 PM on February 28, 2014

Perhaps take a look at Riff Cohen?
posted by rock'em sock'em puppets at 4:47 PM on March 1, 2014