Pierre Delanoë

Who was Pierre Delanoë?

Pierre Delanoë, born Pierre Charles Marcel Napoleon Leroyer in Paris, France, was a French songwriter/lyricist who wrote for dozens of singers such as Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Petula Clark, Johnny Hallyday, and Mireille Mathieu. Delanoë was his grandmothers maiden name.

After studying and receiving a law degree, Delanoë began worked as a tax collector and then a tax inspector. After World War II he met Gilbert Bécaud and started a career as a lyricist. He did sing with Bécaud in clubs in the beginning, but this did not last long. He has written some of France's most beloved songs with Bécaud, including "Et maintenant", translated into English as "What Now My Love", which was covered by artists including Agnetha Fältskog, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, The Supremes, Sonny & Cher, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, and The Temptations. "Je t'appartiens" was covered by The Everly Brothers, Tom Jones, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Nina Simone and Nofx. "Crois-moi ça durera" was covered as "You'll See" by Nat King Cole.

In addition to Bécaud he wrote for Édith Piaf, Tino Rossi, Hugues Aufray, Michel Fugain, Nicoletta, Nana Mouskouri, Michel Polnareff, Gérard Lenorman, Joe Dassin, Nicole Rieu and Michel Sardou. He wrote a passionate song about Joan of Arc in "La demoiselle d'Orléans" for Mireille Mathieu. The final lyric: "When I think of all I have given France... and she has forgotten me" was truly how the singer felt as she was made a caricature by the Communists in power.