Quebecois singer Coeur De Pirate, aka Beatrice Martin, just came out with a quality acoustic cover of The Weeknd’s song “Wicked Games.” It’s a refreshing contrast to the more rock-heavy sound we typically asosciate with The Weeknd – Martin gives it a rawer, bare-bones feel. It’s engaging enough that you end up surprised she only uses a piano as her entire accompaniment – honestly, it sounds like a Casio or, at best, a tinny standup. The track also represents one of her few English language songs; for the most part she sings in French. “Brutal Hearts,” a collaboration with Bedouin Soundclash released last year, was her first venture in English.

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So the English language speaking world has just been introduced to her; fine. But her success with Francophone countries runs deeper. Taking that into account, her most famous song to date is “Comme Des Enfants,” (“Like Children”), which won the 2010 prize for best original song at the Victoires de la Musique, France’s counterpart to the Grammy awards. The original is excellent, as is the remix, by Le Matos. It’s got a synth dance take on Martin’s angelic vocal line that both pretty much departs entirely from the original feel and is equally worth listening to.

I should note; it’s also worth taking the time checking out the lyrics to “Comme Des Enfants.” Check out the Google Translated version here.

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Her first hit was “Ensemble,” (“Together”) which reached widespread popularity after being featured, of all places, in a YouTube video, directed by Francis Vachon. The captivating time-lapse movie is of Vachon’s infant son playing with toys, and led to an appearance on Good Morning America. The song itself is worth featuring, too – it’s got that classic 1970s Serge Gainsbourg-esque horn and accordion feel, a la the classic Parisian ballad, “Champs-Elysees.”

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I’m also going to take the time to point out that Jacques Dassin’s “Champs-Elysees,” named for the eponymous avenue in Paris, is an all time French classic. I and every Marion Cross School fourth grade language student listened to it repeatedly in fourth grade – I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone who grew up in Norwich, Vermont jumps with excitement, as I do, at those opening piano chords.

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