3 Bilingual Classic Rock Songs That Bridge the Cultural Gap

Humanity suffers if we are siloed away from one another. We are at our best when we embrace our diversity, learn from it, and share in the things we each love most. Sure, there is always time to be on your own or with your close friends, but when we make time to branch out, things are better. Cultural cross-pollination occurs.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three great examples of that. A trio of tracks that prove multi-cultural art is valuable, beautiful, and compelling. Indeed, these are three bilingual classic rock songs that bridge the cultural gap and prove music is for everyone.

[Los Lonely Boys Open Up About Their First Album in 11 Years, ‘Resurrection’—“When It’s All Broken Down, It’s About Believing in Each Other and in One Another”]

“Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads from Talking Heads: 77 (1977)

For those who love the live concert film Stop Making Sense, this song is surely a fan favorite. But the track came out before the visual work of 1984. Indeed, it was first released on the 1977 Talking Heads LP Talking Heads: 77. And on it, lead singer David Byrne sings in both French and English from the perspective of a serial killer. Spooky stuff! Indeed, Byrne offers,

Ce que j’ai fait, ce soir-là
Ce qu’elle a dit, ce soir-là
Réalisant mon espoir
Je me lance vers la gloire, okay
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they’re not polite

Psycho Killer
Qu’est-ce que c’est?

“Michelle” by The Beatles from Rubber Soul (1965)

This song from The Beatles opens with a lovely acoustic guitar before blossoming into a classic Beatles melody bolstered by light drums. On the tune, lead vocalist Paul McCartney sings amorously, weaving between French and English. For the British-born band, France is right around the corner from their home country, so it makes sense the singer might encounter a lovely gal from across the water. And when he does, he wants to ingratiate himself by speaking—or singing—her language. So, Paul does so on this tune, offering,

Michelle, ma belle
These are words that go together well
My Michelle
Michelle, ma belle
Sont les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble
Tres bien ensemble
I love you, I love you, I love you
That’s all I want to say
Until I find a way
I will say the only words I know that you’ll understand

“Heaven” by Los Lonely Boys from Los Lonely Boys (2004)

This song, which came out over 20 years ago, now counts as classic rock. Oh, to be young again. But age and nostalgia aside, this hit song, which earned the Texas-born rocker brothers of Los Lonely Boys a Top-20 Billboard Hot 100 hit (No. 16) and a Grammy Award, was a pop-rock favorite at the turn of the century. It was also a keen way to combine their two cultures, or what they call “Texican Rock n’ Roll.” Indeed, on the track, lead singer Henry Garza offers,

I‘ve been locked up way too long in this crazy world
How far is heaven?
And I just keep on prayin’, Lord, and just keep on livin’
How far is heaven?
Yeah, Lord, can you tell me?
How far is heaven? (‘Cause I just gotta know how far, yeah)
How far is heaven? (Yeah, Lord, can you tell me?)

Tu que estas en alto cielo
Echame tu bendicion

Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage