Clair de lune

Clair de lune is a song composed by Joseph Kosma with lyrics by Jacques Prévert. It was written in 1942 for the French film Les Visiteurs du Soir (The Devil's Envoys) and quickly became one of the best-loved songs of French cinema.

Django Reinhardt first recorded Clair de lune on 26 February 1943 in Paris. His lyrical instrumental interpretation transformed the song into a memorable Gypsy Jazz performance and remains one of his finest wartime recordings.

Musical character:
Clair de lune is a gentle, lyrical ballad with a flowing melody and rich harmonic language. Its expressive character and elegant chord progression make it an excellent choice for melodic improvisation while preserving the song's romantic atmosphere.

Connection to Manouche jazz:
Although originally written as a French film song, Clair de lune became part of the Manouche Jazz repertoire through Django Reinhardt's interpretation. His version demonstrated how beautifully French chanson could be adapted to the acoustic Hot Club style, and the tune continues to be performed by Gypsy Jazz musicians today.

Interesting facts:

• The song was composed by Joseph Kosma with lyrics by Jacques Prévert for the 1942 film Les Visiteurs du Soir.
• Django Reinhardt recorded the tune on 26 February 1943, creating one of the most celebrated instrumental versions.
• Joseph Kosma composed music for more than one hundred films and collaborated extensively with poet Jacques Prévert.
• The title Clair de lune means "Moonlight" in French.
• The song should not be confused with Claude Debussy's famous piano piece Clair de lune, composed several decades earlier.

Clair de lune is a beautiful example of how French cinema, chanson, and Manouche Jazz came together during the 1940s. Django Reinhardt's elegant interpretation helped establish the song as a lasting favorite within the Gypsy Jazz repertoire.