Marc Almond has frequently expressed his admiration for a range of European chanson singers, but none have influenced him quite as profoundly as Charles Aznavour. The French-Armenian singer, songwriter, and actor, often referred to as “France’s Frank Sinatra,” was known for his emotive vocal delivery, deeply personal lyrics, and dramatic performances. Aznavour’s music, rich with themes of love, heartbreak, melancholy, and nostalgia, resonated deeply with Almond, who would incorporate many of these qualities into his own work.
Here’s a closer look at the key ways Charles Aznavour impacted Marc Almond‘s career and musical style:
1. Emotional Depth and Theatricality
Charles Aznavour’s songs are renowned for their emotional intensity, often dealing with themes like love, loss, regret, and existential longing. Aznavour had a unique ability to pour his emotions into every note, making his performances deeply theatrical and compelling. This had a direct influence on Marc Almond’s approach to singing and songwriting. Much like Aznavour, Almond sought to evoke powerful emotions in his listeners, often conveying feelings of vulnerability, longing, and personal struggle through his music.
Aznavour’s influence is evident in Almond’s vocal delivery, which, like Aznavour’s, combines sincerity with drama. Almond’s theatricality—whether through the cabaret-style performances or his deeply emotional lyrics—can be traced back to his admiration for Aznavour’s ability to turn songs into deeply affecting stories. Tracks like “Jacky” and “The Days of Pearly Spencer” reveal Almond’s willingness to embrace emotional extremes, a hallmark of Aznavour’s artistry.
2. Storytelling Through Song
Aznavour was not only a performer but also a master storyteller, often weaving narratives about love, personal relationships, and the human condition into his songs. Marc Almond absorbed this narrative style, making storytelling a crucial element of his own songwriting. Almond often uses his music as a way to tell tales of emotional complexity, urban life, and personal experiences, much like Aznavour did.
For instance, in songs such as “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” and “Bedsitter,” Almond taps into the kind of character-driven storytelling that Aznavour perfected. These songs explore themes of loneliness and personal disillusionment through the eyes of fully developed characters, a technique reminiscent of Aznavour’s poignant ballads like “La Bohème” and “She.” Almond’s fascination with telling deeply personal stories through song can be directly linked to the example set by Aznavour.
3. Chanson and Cabaret Influence
Marc Almond’s love for European chanson, cabaret, and torch songs is a fundamental aspect of his musical identity. Charles Aznavour, as one of the greatest exponents of chanson, became a significant influence on Almond’s embrace of this tradition. Almond often covered or interpreted classic French songs, infusing them with his own style while staying true to the emotional depth that artists like Aznavour brought to the genre.
Aznavour’s influence can be seen in Almond’s 1989 album Jacques, a tribute to another French chanson legend, Jacques Brel, but imbued with the spirit of Aznavour’s introspective, heart-wrenching narratives. Almond has often expressed his deep admiration for both Aznavour and Brel, and these chanson icons shaped his musical approach by inspiring him to combine lyrical poetry with emotionally charged delivery.
4. Exploration of Love, Desire, and Heartache
Aznavour’s songs often focus on the complexity of love and human relationships, particularly unrequited love, desire, and the ache of separation. These themes resonated strongly with Marc Almond, whose own music frequently explores the darker, more painful aspects of love and romance. Songs like “If You Go Away” (Almond’s rendition of Jacques Brel’s “Ne me quitte pas”) and “My Hand Over My Heart” reflect Almond’s ability to channel Aznavour’s emotional vulnerability.
Almond’s willingness to confront raw, often uncomfortable emotions in his music—such as heartbreak, alienation, and despair—can be linked to Aznavour’s example. Aznavour was never afraid to delve into the intricacies of romantic relationships, and his ability to evoke both the ecstasy and tragedy of love became a guiding force for Almond as he explored similar themes in his own work.
5. The Outsider Perspective
Aznavour often sang from the perspective of an outsider, which resonated with Marc Almond, who has often felt like an outsider himself, both in his personal life and his career. Almond, an openly gay man, has frequently expressed that his admiration for Aznavour was not only for his music but for the way he articulated the emotions of those who didn’t always fit societal norms.
Aznavour’s songs often focused on those who lived on the fringes of society, such as artists, lovers, and the downtrodden. In songs like “La Bohème,” he paints a vivid picture of the impoverished, bohemian lifestyle, which Almond connected with deeply. This sense of romanticizing the outsider experience permeates Almond’s music, where he often gives voice to those living on the margins, whether it’s through the lens of LGBTQ+ themes or characters struggling with loneliness and desire.
6. Inspiration for Covers and Interpretations
Marc Almond has covered and reinterpreted several of Charles Aznavour’s songs over the years, paying homage to the French singer’s legacy. One of the most notable examples is Almond’s performance of Aznavour’s classic “Yesterday When I Was Young,” a deeply nostalgic and introspective song about the fleeting nature of youth and the regrets of an aging man. Almond’s version captures the same sense of melancholy and reflection that Aznavour originally conveyed, further showcasing the influence that Aznavour’s music had on Almond’s artistic sensibilities.
By incorporating Aznavour’s songs into his repertoire, Almond not only pays tribute to one of his heroes but also introduces Aznavour’s legacy to new audiences. Almond’s interpretations retain the emotional core of Aznavour’s originals while adding his unique flair, blending French chanson with his own dramatic, cabaret-infused style.
Influence
Charles Aznavour’s profound influence on Marc Almond is evident in the latter’s emotional vocal delivery, narrative-driven songwriting, and ability to connect deeply with his audience. Aznavour’s themes of love, loss, and the human experience resonated with Almond, who adopted and expanded on these elements throughout his career. Through his admiration for Aznavour, Marc Almond found a model for combining raw emotion, vulnerability, and theatrical performance, creating a body of work that continues to captivate audiences.