Francis Lai

 

[1932 -] French composer and pianist, creator of great melodic themes of the 60s when the cinema needed popular appeal of tunes to stablish the success of a film.

Francis Lai has succeeded right in his first work for a film: A Man and a Woman (1965), whose main theme – and his famous da-ba-da-ba-da – was one of the anthens of the era, rewritten and parodied many times. First rate melodist, Lai, in his early days accompanied and wrote for Edith Piaf. The singer Pierre Barough was the one whom introduced him to the film director Claude Lelouch and the success of Un Homme et Une Femme established one of the most prolific partnerships in films: more than 30 films in 40 years of joint career. With the international success theme of A Man and a Woman, Lai has become one of the most requested composers of the period in which the concept of a movie musical need abandoned the symphonic tradition and oriented to short melodic pieces. In this way, Lai was responsible for an enviable amount of classic themes that marked his time: Vivre Pour Vivre (1967), Le Passageur La Pluie (1968), Un Homme Qui Me Plait (1969), 13 Jour en France (1969), Love Story (1970), L'Aventure C'est L'Aventure (1972), Emanuelle 2 (1975) Le Corps de Mon Enemi (1976). His greatest moment, however, was Bilitis (1976), work that surpassed the six million records sold of Love Story. Lai continued on active with constant work as Canicule (1983), Atention Bandits (1986), Dark Eyes (1987), Le Paradis Du Cless (1992), and the partnership with Lelouch with Un Homme et une Femme 20 ans Deja (1986), La Belle Histoire (1992), Les Miserables (1995), Hasards or Coincidences (1998), Une Pour Toutes (1999) and Le Genre Humain (2004) among others. He was also a pioneer in the use of electronic instruments.

 

"In my eyes, Francis Lai is the aristocrat of melody"

Henri Verneuil

 

"In my opinion, Francis Lai is a man of instinct and a melody writer of the kind that are rarely found. He has melodic ideas that nobody has had, has or will have. From this point of view, what he creates is unique" 

Michel Legrand

 

"After forty-five years, he’s much more than a friend, an accomplice, a partner in creation. Francis is another me, with musical notes..."

Claude Lelouch