Milord (song)

"Milord" (pronounced: [milɔʀ]) or "Ombre de la Rue" ([ɔmbʀə dø la ʀy]) is a 1959 song (lyrics by Georges Moustaki, music by Marguerite Monnot), famously sung by Édith Piaf. It is a chanson that recounts the feelings of a lower-class "girl of the port" (perhaps a prostitute) who develops a crush on an elegantly attired apparent upper-class British traveller (or "milord"), whom she has seen walking the streets of the town several times (with a beautiful young woman on his arm), but who has not even noticed her. The singer feels that she is nothing more than a "shadow of the street" (ombre de la rue).

The song was a #1-hit in Germany in July 1960. In UK it reached #24 (1960), and Norway #6 (1959).

Cover versions

This song was also covered by male crooner, Bobby Darin in 1964.

Benny Hill produced a skit modeled on the musical Cabaret, and included the song "Milord," sung — in English — by Louise English, a member of Hill's Angels. It is the closing number in the skit and the refrain is repeated as the patrons toast each other and throw confetti.

Cher sang an English version of "Milord" on her second solo album The Sonny Side of Cher which was released in 1966. It has also been sung by the all-girl punk group the Mo-dettes in 1980, Candan Erçetin, Mercan Dede at 2003.

In-grid sang a remix of "Milord" in her album La Vie en Rose released in 2004. The song was edited to have a faster speed than the original.

French jazz singer Raquel Bitton performed the song as part of her Piaf tribute show "Piaf: Her Story, Her Songs".

Paris Saint-Germain supporters from the Auteil stand of the Parc des Princes have a chant based on "Milord".

External links

• French lyrics with English translation and video clip

References