La Mer (song)

"La Mer" is a song written by French composer, lyricist, singer and showman Charles Trenet (1913 – 2001).

Trenet wrote the lyrics of "La Mer" on the train in 1943 while travelling along the French Mediterranean coast, returning from Paris to Narbonne, supposedly in ten minutes, on toilet paper supplied by SNCF. He was assisted with the tune by Leo Chauliac. It was originally published by Raoul Breton. It was not until 1946 that Trenet recorded the song.

English lyrics, unrelated to the French lyrics, were written by Jack Lawrence and entitled "Beyond the Sea". This became a hit for Bobby Darin in 1960, and the song has since been recorded by more than 400 other artists in many languages.

Appearances in other media

IMDB lists 25 instances where either "La Mer" or "Beyond the Sea" have been used in various media, including:
*"BioShock" (2007)
*"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (2007)
*"Mr. Bean's Holiday" (2007)
*"Man Of The Year" (2006)
*"Lost" (2005)
*"The Dreamers" (2003)
*"Finding Nemo" (closing credits - sung by Robbie Williams)
*"Austin Powers in Goldmember" (2002)
*"Bains-douches" (2001)
*"Saving Private Ryan" (1998)
*"A Life Less Ordinary" (1997)
*"Apollo 13 (film) (1995)
*"The X-Files" (1994)
*"French Kiss (film)" (1995) (closing credits)
*"Funny Bones" (1995)
*"Bitter Moon" (1992)
*"Father of the Bride" (1991)
*"L.A. Story" (1991) (opening credits)
*"Goodfellas" (1990)
*"Édith et Marcel" (1983)
*"A Safe Place" (1971)

*The lyrics are written on Rousseau's notes in the television series "Lost" and it is later sung by Shannon in the episode "Whatever the Case May Be".

*The song was featured in a film that was shot by Fabien Baron during the photo sessions for Madonna's "Sex" book.

*"Beyond the Sea" is used as the theme to the game Bioshock, as well as being used throughout the game on jukeboxes and loud hailers in-game.

*On the 2nd episode of the 33rd season of "Saturday Night Live", "Beyond the Sea" is sung by host Seth Rogen, while dressed as a dog.

*"Yasuhiro Kobayashi"Coba" performs an arrangement of La Mer for the opening animation from the game "Suikoden IV".

References

The song is used anachronistically in episode of "Foyle's War" titled "The French Drop".

External links

* [http://www.francomix.com/article-Charles_Trenet-81.html Sample of original recording by Trenet]