10 songs about Paris that could help the French celebrate the World Cup

The World Cup was the dominant topic of the sporting world last week but, as I’m not even a lukewarm soccer fan, I only saw about ten minutes of the action. The only reason I watched that limited segment is because a game went over the estimated time, which canceled out the Judge Judy episode I had intended to watch.

However, a snippet of the post-championship game caught my attention, and more importantly, my ear. As the video played, the Croats, after a heartbreaking defeat in the final round, were heard singing a song I immediately recognized.

It was the Oasis hit “Don’t Look Back In Anger” from the British band’s most popular album, What’s the Story Morning Glory. It’s the second most famous song on that record, second only to the classic single “Wonder Wall.”

It struck me as a bit of an odd tune for the World Cup runner-up, but it made me contemplate what song their victorious opponents would choose. Those in the winner’s circle could celebrate by playing a well-known song that mentions their country’s capital, the European nation of France.

Here are ten songs that mention that same city in their titles.

Let’s Tango In Paris by the Stranglers

This is one of the acoustic numbers from Feline, the 1980 album that marked the punk rock band’s definitive transformation towards a more accessible sound.

Free Man in Paris by Joni Mitchell

“Help Me” and “Chelsea Morning” combined with this classic to make Court and Spark the folk singer’s most commercially successful album.

The Paris Murders of Elvis Costello

French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower are mentioned in this excellent song from Blood and Chocolate, produced by Nick Lowe.

One night in Paris for 10cc

A musical epic in three parts, this opening sets the stage for the band’s hit album, The Original Soundtrack.

Paris 1919 by John Cale

After leaving the Velvet Underground, Cale made many solo records, none better than the one this title track came from.

I’m throwing my arms around Paris by Morrissey

The City of Love doesn’t seem like a likely destination for the Smiths’ often melancholy singer, but here he figuratively embraces it.

Dreaming of Paris by Van Dyke Parks

As well as producing great records for Phil Ochs, Harry Nilsson and Biff Rose, Parks proved here and on other Songs Cycled tracks that he could make great records on his own.

Going to Paris for the Waterboys

It wasn’t as big of a hit as “The Whole of the Moon”, but it is more representative of the typical British alternative band sound.

I love Paris by Frank Sinatra

Ella Fitzgerald made the song a standard, but Old Blue Eyes is responsible for my favorite rendition.

Leaving for Paris by Rufus Wainwright

Loudon’s son and Martha’s sister has made many good records of his own, as this track proves.