Winifred Atwell - Poor John

This record was much better known as 'The Poor People of Paris' - a No.1 hit in the UK for three weeks in April 1956.
Originally a French song by Margueritte Monnot entitled 'Le Goualante du Pauvre Jean' sung by Edith Piaf - roughly translated as 'The Popular Song of Poor John'.
The music publisher mis-translated the French title into what we all know it as today - or so the story goes.......
This particular disc actually reads 'Poor John' on the label.
---superb key change at 00.54.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Piano
• Winifred Atwell
• rarity
• No.1
• chart
• hit
• Poor People of Paris
• Edith Piaf

[hemaboot]

Wow! is fast.

[IVORIESMAN]

@hemaboot That's Winnie for you - thanks for listening.

[philipchek]

I do not clearly understand : finally is this a French melody or not ?The French Lyrics sung by Piaf are from Margueritte Monnot, and fits so well with the melody. But where is the melody from, Us or France ?

[IVORIESMAN]

@philipchek The whole thing is French - The only English element is in the wrong translation of the French title. Thanks for listening.

[petermackett37]

Thanks for the information on this tune,it is also called Poor John on the fair organ music books.

[IVORIESMAN]

@petermackett37 No problem - thanks for listening.

[philipchek]

@IVORIESMAN

Thanks for the answer - and I should have check. I also made a mistake, Marguerite Monnot did the music (not the French lyrics) - Well, I cover my head with ashes. Nice to hear this W. Atwell version.

[fazermanbill]

Winifred Atwell makes an out of tune piano sound GREAT :+) she BRILL.

[HaroldHanlon]

Yet another Gem!

Love the key change from E Flat Major to G Major.

How on earth does she play so fast in E Flat Major - I find it such an awkward key to play in?

H