Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine

In recent years he has been increasingly name-dropped as an influence by the latest generation of performers in France, and was the subject of a tribute album of covers in 2002. He has been performing since the late 1960s and releasing records since 1978. Musically, Thiéfaine draws mostly from classic rock, with rare nods to the latest musical trends, and generally leaves the arranging to a collaborator. His songs are most notable for instantly recognisable lyrics, with their trademark streams of consciousness, surreal and often extreme or dark imagery, often tinged with comedy, cynicism, literary references, neologisms and liberal use of scientific, long or foreign words. The lyrical mayhem sometimes spreads into comically long song titles, such as Enfermé dans les cabinets (avec la fille mineure des 80 chasseurs), or Exercice de simple provocation avec 33 fois le mot "coupable". His education in a Catholic boarding school has also left deep traces which surface in his lyrics in the form of biblical quotations and cheerfully blasphemous lyrics. His avowed influences include Léo Ferré, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison and many French, Anglophone and German novelists and poets, with a preference for romantic literature.

Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine studied at Marie and Louis Pasteur University. The recorded working language is French. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are rock music, chanson and folk music. Léo Ferré, Arthur Rimbaud and Charles Baudelaire are recorded as an influence. Distinctions recorded are Officer of Arts and Letters, Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, Victoires de la Musique – Male artist of the year and Victory of the album of chansons, variety.

• Name — Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine • Born — 21 July 1948 • Origin — Franche-Comté, France • Genre — Pop, Rock • Occupation — Singer, Writer, Composer • Years Active — 1978–present • Label — Sony Music • Website — Official site (in French)

Studio albums • 1978 – Tout corps vivant branché sur le secteur étant appelé à s'émouvoir • 1979 – Autorisation de délirer • 1980 – De l'amour, de l'art ou du cochon • 1981 – Dernières balises (avant mutation) • 1982 – Soleil cherche futur • 1984 – Alambic/sortie-sud • 1986 – Météo für nada • 1988 – Eros über alles • 1990 – Chroniques bluesymentales • 1993 – Fragments d'hébétude • Year — Title — Peak positions • FR — BEL (Wa) — SWI • 1996 — La tentation du bonheur — 27 • 1998 — Le bonheur de la tentation — 20 • 2001 — Défloration 13 — 14 • 2005 — Scandale mélancolique — 14 — 89 • 2007 — Amicalement Blues (joint album with Paul Personne) — 19 — 77 • 2011 — Supplément de Mensonges — 2 — 22 — 32 • 2014 — Stratégie de l'Inespoir — 10 — 61 — 33 • 2021 — Géographie du vide — 6 — 6 Live albums • 1983: En concert (double album vinyl or double CD) • 1986: En concert vol. 2 (double album vinyl or double CD) • 1988: Routes 88 (double album vinyl or simple CD) • 1995: Paris-Zénith (double CD) • Year — Title — Peak positions — Notes • FR — BEL (Wa) — SWI • 1999 — En concert à Bercy — 19 — Double CD • 2002 — Au Bataclan — 75 — Live at Le Bataclan • 2007 — Scandale mélancolique Tour — 58 — Double album • 2012 — Homo Plebis Ultimae Tour — 14 — 45 — 90 • 2016 — Vixi Tour XVII — 10 — 43 — 69 Compilations • 1988: 1978–1983 • 1989: 1984–1988 • 1998: 1978–1998 • 2002: Les fils du coupeur de joints (homage & compilation) • 2006: Les Indispensables – compilation • 2009: Séquelles (Peaked in SNEP France #58 and BEL (Wallonia) #56)

• Year — Title — Peak positions — Album • FR • 2012 — "La ruelle des morts" — 151 • 2014 — "En cloque" — 114 — La Bande à Renaud • "Angélus" — 173

• 1992: Bluesymental tour (VHS) • 1995: Paris-Zénith (VHS) • 1999: En concert à Bercy (DVD) • 2007: Scandale mélancolique tour (DVD)