Explore every episode of the podcast The Divine Comedy and France (VO)

In this first episode, Neil Hannon looks back on his first concerts in France, on his discovery of the French public, as well as on the influence of the Nouvelle Vague films on the writing of his first two albums. He also explains why he decided to pose in front of the Louvre pyramid for the cover of the Promenade album. 

To evoke the album Casanova, full of references to France, and particularly to French women, Neil goes back to the difficulties he had with girls before his status as a singer opened up certain possibilities. One of the allies of this transformation was the liberating Channel Tunnel, which enabled these artistic and love exchanges.

On Fin de siècle, one of his most orchestrated records, the Divine Comedy wunderkind details his love of classical music, especially French composers from the beginning of the last century, starting with Maurice Ravel. He explains how he managed to infiltrate these influences into pop writing.

In this episode, Neil Hannon reveals his influences in French pop and chanson, and first of all Serge Gainsbourg. He also explains why he had written "A Lady of a Certain Age" for Jane Birkin, before finally keeping it for himself. Finally, he talks about Michel Legrand, who was one of the inspirations for the song. 

Serge Gainsbourg is mentioned again in the last episode of this series, on the sublime "To the Rescue". More surprising is Neil's passion for Edith Piaf, whose repertoire he knows in its entirety, and who has often been a muse for him. Finally, he reveals that he almost played in the last film of one of the most important French directors of our time.