“Le Temps de l’Amour” — Françoise Hardy

Thanks to the trailer for Moonrise Kingdom, Wes Anderson’s newest that I anticipate seeing at least three times once it goes wide (since I live in a culture-less town), I have a new infatuation — “Le Temps de l’Amour” or “The Time of Love.”

The chanteuse’s name is Françoise Hardy, and her sultry French has been the soundtrack of everything I’ve done today. Brushing my hair? “Le Temps de l’Amour” made me dance around the bathroom. Driving to work, I sang along loudly in my limited French. When I arrived at work, I vowed to respect my coworkers ears and play it only once an hour. Alas, I have an … obsessive personality. My phone tells me I played the song 58 times today.

Thanks in part to Mad Men’s completely addictive rendition of “Zou Bisou Bisou,” I’ve been enjoying yé-yé a lot lately, and this song fits perfectly into the French pop style of the early 1960′s. (Another favorite is Brigitte Bardot’s “Moi, Je Joue”).

My favorite part of “Le Temps de l’Amour” is the intro, with its mysterious sixties spy vibe. Plus, it’s got the sweetest lyrics. For you non-French speakers, here’s the gist: when we’re in our twenties, the sun is out and the future is bright and it’s the time of love — so live it up! If that’s not a summer song, I don’t know what is. Put the song on and you’ll definitely get that “anything can happen” feeling, too.

About the Author

Amanda Taylor is an outspoken pop culture lover who majored in journalism and minored in gossip. Referred to as “endearingly manic,” she knows that just means she’s a lunatic. In her illustrious career, she has written for a museum, a candy store, a U.S. Senator and had one review published in an actual newspaper. She now writes for Entertainment Weekly. Find her in 140 characters @amandataylor88.