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The Poor People of Paris

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Blakecarlile (talk | contribs) at 18:19, 8 January 2009 (Category:Édith Piaf songs). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"The Poor People of Paris" is a popular song.

It was adapted by Jack Lawrence in 1954 from the French language song "La goualante de pauvre Jean" (words by Rene Rouzaud, music by Marguerite Monnot). The title arises in part from a misapprehension of the French title, as "pauvre Jean" was taken for the same-sounding "pauvre gens," which translates as "poor people."

A recording of the song by Les Baxter's orchestra was a number-one hit on the Billboard Singles Chart in the US during 1956. In the same year, the piano version by Winifred Atwell was number one in the UK Singles Chart from April 13 to 27. Us cover records by Lawrence Welk ,Russ Morgan and Chet Atkins appeared in the US Top 100. Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney recorded a version containing the seldom-heard Jack Lawrence lyrics.

Edith Piaf had one of her great hits with the original French version of the song.

Preceded by Billboard Top 100 number one single
(Les Baxter version)
March 24 1956 (6 weeks) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UK Singles Chart Number 1 single
(Winifred Atwell version)
13 April 1956 for 3 weeks 		Succeeded by
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