The Poor People Of Paris (1956)

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Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

• Les Baxter and his Orchestra - The Poor People Of Paris (MP3)
• Edith Piaf - La Goualante Du Pauvre Jean (MP3)

By: Les Baxter (born Leslie Baxter March 14, 1922 in Mexia, Texas, died January 15, 1996 in Newport Beach, California) and his Orchestra.

Les Baxter provided the arrangement for Nat King Cole's best-selling recording of "Nature Boy," and arranged and performed with Cole on other hits, including "Mona Lisa".

"The Poor People of Paris" was Baxter's only #1 hit.

Chart position: #1 (US).

It remained at #1 for six weeks in March and April of 1956.

It also was #1 for four weeks on the Best Sellers in Stores chart, for six weeks on the Most Played by Jockeys, and for three weeks on the Most Played on Jukeboxes chart.

It was preceded at #1 by "Rock and Roll Waltz" (Kay Starr) and succeeded by "Heartbreak Hotel" (Elvis Presley).

The Top Ten Songs: March 17, 1956 (US Billboard Hot 100).

1. "The Poor People of Paris" (Les Baxter)
2. "Lisbon Antigua" (Nelson Riddle)
3. "Rock and Roll Waltz" (Kay Starr)
4. "No, Not Much" (Four Lads)
5. "Great Pretender" (Platters)
6. "Theme From the Three Penny Opera (Moritat)" (Dick Hyman Trio)
7. "Memories Are Made of This" (Dean Martin)
8. "I'll Be Home" (Pat Boone)
9. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" (Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers)
10. "See You Later, Alligator" (BIll Haley and the Comets)
    

Written by: Marguerite Monno (music), René Rouzaud (original French lyrics) and Jack Lawrence (adapted English lyrics).

It was adapted by Jack Lawrence in 1954 from the French language song "La Goualante Du Pauvre Jean" ("The Ballad of Poor John"). The title arises in part from a misinterpretation of the French title, as "pauvre Jean" was taken for the same-sounding "pauvre gens," which translates as "poor people."

Also by: Winifred Atwell, whose version reached #1 (UK) in 1956; Chet Atkins; Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby; Dean Martin; Edith Piaf, who had a hit with the original French version.

Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

• Les Baxter and his Orchestra - The Poor People Of Paris (MP3)
• Edith Piaf - La Goualante Du Pauvre Jean (MP3)