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Ah, Pierre Bachelet… you have surely already heard him, those melodies that catch you by surprise, and that softly melancholic voice that stays in your head. Born on May 25, 1944 in Paris, he was about 1m75 tall. His journey is somewhat like a novel with many chapters, each more endearing than the last.
You don’t always expect a child from a modest family of launderers to become an icon of French song, but here is Pierre, who grew up between Paris and Calais, the ch’ti land that marked him for life. And honestly, you can feel the essence of the corons just by listening to him.
And then, there’s this thing with cinema. Yes, because before being a singer, Pierre Bachelet tried his hand at directing. Documentary, advertising… cinema opened doors for him, notably in sound galleries, you know the kind? This job eventually became the launching pad for his musical career. Crazy, right?
And then, when he composed the original soundtrack of a cult erotic film, “Emmanuelle”, in 1974, well frankly, it immediately propelled him to the forefront. Not bad for a guy who never thought he’d become a professional singer.
Who really is Pierre Bachelet and his musical roots
So, here is a guy whom we believed was just someone from advertising and cinema, but in fact, he is a man of the North at heart, even if he was born in Paris. Calais, with its slag heaps and miners, deeply marked him. It is his ch’ti roots that give strength to his songs, undeniable.
Music for him is an old love. He started playing guitar quite young but honestly didn’t want to make it his career. A roll of the dice, as they say. Yet, he exploded with the soundtrack of Emmanuelle, and that changed everything. The success was huge, a million copies sold, just that.
What’s nice is that Bachelet is not really what we call a media superstar. Rather discreet, even taciturn, but with writing finesse and sincerity that directly touch the heart. No glitter, only the real thing. He is more the type to be appreciated on stage, especially during tours in Belgium and Quebec.
His identity is a mix of Northern artist, musical storyteller, and simple man who loves sailing. Moreover, he remains loyal to his values and never chases fashion or current trends. A bet that allowed him to last. You see the issue: it did not bring him the flashy fame he perhaps deserved.
The journey before fame: from cinema to music
Well, before being the voice behind Les Corons or Elle est d’ailleurs, Pierre honed his skills in cinema. Not easy, you know, he dabbled in everything: documentaries, commercials, jingles… it’s there that he met future greats like Jean-Jacques Annaud and Patrice Leconte. That gives you an idea of the environment.
His true professional start in music is in composing original soundtracks. We’re not talking about the trendy pop hits but a background job that allowed him to refine his style. It was while working with Just Jaeckin, who directed Emmanuelle, that the spark happened. The music of this film was a hit, combining radio and cinema concepts, incredible.
Then, he composed for other films, some less known, others cult like Coup de tête by Jean-Jacques Annaud. A kind of melting pot of styles where Pierre enriched himself but always kept this authentic, fair, almost modest side. You really feel the discreet artist who works hard without making much noise.
And regarding solo singing, the beginnings were rather slow. “L’Atlantique” in 1974 did not hit immediately, and it was only in the 80s that he found his voice on record, notably thanks to his collaboration with Jean-Pierre Lang, his favorite lyricist.
The triumph of Pierre Bachelet and his greatest songs
Ah, 1980, that’s when things really took off with the album “Elle est d’ailleurs”. That’s when he met Jean-Pierre Lang, a meeting that would last about fifteen years. Together, they created classics that stay in your ears: Les Corons, Marionnettiste, L’An 2001, all titles full of poetry and nostalgia.
But Pierre’s career is not limited to a few hits. He toured a lot, mainly in Belgium and Quebec, because in France, he remained somewhat on the sidelines. You know, he didn’t look for hype, he preferred the stage, real exchanges with the public. He liked that more than the TV spotlight.
His album “Vivre” in 1985 really opened the doors to certain fame. He performed his songs in tours that crossed France. Well, he wasn’t the idol of the youth by far, but he captured a loyal, emotional audience, touched by his outlook on life and his stories.
In the 90s, he collaborated with the writer Yann Queffélec, which gave extra depth to his works, notably with the album “Un Homme Simple” in 1998, a moving tribute to the sea and his idol Éric Tabarly.
Anecdotes that add flavor to his career
- 🎵 He almost remained an advertising director and never sought to become a flashy star.
- 🌊 Passionate about sailing, he dedicated a song to Éric Tabarly, showing how faithful he remained to his passions.
- 🎤 His song Les Corons became an unofficial anthem of the North, carried by the supporters of RC Lens. A real local pride.
- 📺 Despite his fame, he always avoided appearing too often on TV, preferring the stage.
- 💔 He spoke frankly about the stress related to his divorce, an episode that marked his life in the 90s.
His private life and Pierre Bachelet’s intimate struggles
Rather discreet about his personal life, and that’s for the best. We only know that he separated, which affected him greatly. He confides himself: this divorce was a huge source of stress. Can you imagine? For a guy who sang with such softness, it was still a hard moment.
Cancer, that word that struck Pierre down in his artistic maturity. In 2005, he was taken by this disease, at age 60, in Suresnes. Honestly, reading the testimony of his widow in Gala gives you an idea of his strength and this silent battle.
He remains in memories as a simple man, attached to his roots, family, and friends. No folklore, no buzz, just an artist who lived with his emotions, which he translated into his very touching songs.
Ten years after his death, in 2015, there were vibrant tributes with albums where big names covered his songs. A beautiful way to keep his music alive, as well highlighted by Morning Femina, which recounts his journey with warmth and emotion.
Recent projects and the musical legacy of Pierre Bachelet in 2025
Thirty years after his first breakthroughs on record, Pierre Bachelet remains a must-listen. In 2025, you can still listen to his hits on Allformusic or browse his complete discography on Deezer, to dive back into his universe.
His official Youtube channel also offers a nice selection of his videos and live performances, perfect for those who want to feel the old vibes but with the easy access that the internet offers (Youtube Pierre Bachelet).
Several young artists have covered his standards in tribute albums, proof that his influence endures. And honestly, listening to “Les Corons” or “Emmanuelle” today still has that moving effect, that shiver.
If you want to understand what an authentic career is, without artifice, where emotion is paramount, Pierre Bachelet remains a model. No wonder he is still celebrated and listened to with such fervor, even after all these years.
Discover the essential Pierre Bachelet through his iconic songs
- 🎶 Les Corons: anthem of the miners and the North.
- 🎶 Emmanuelle: soundtrack of the cult film.
- 🎶 Elle est d’ailleurs: song that popularized Pierre Bachelet.
- 🎶 Marionnettiste: poetic and touching.
- 🎶 L’An 2001: visionary and timeless title.
