Louise Cordet (born 8 February 1945) is an English pop singer who also sang in French, best known as a one-hit wonder for her 1962 single, "I'm Just a Baby".
Louise Cordet was born Louise Boisot on in Berkshire,
west of London. Her parents were French pilot Marcel Boisot and actress Hélène
Cordet. Cordet had been a presenter on the BBC’s Café continental TV series in
the late 1940s and early 1950s. Louise grew up in London and was schooled at the
French Lycée in South Kensington. In her teens, she transferred to a convent in
Lausanne, Switzerland. In 1953, to her great excitement, she took a bit part in
the film The limping man.
In late 1961, together with her mother and brother,
Louise recorded several songs that were put onto a disc and given to friends as
Christmas presents. One of the recipients was Decca Records boss Marcel
Stellman, who was charmed by Louise’s take on Connie Francis’ Who’s sorry now
and invited the teenager for an audition.The singer passed with flying colours,
and on signing to the label, she took her mother’s name professionally,
becoming Louise Cordet.
She was handed to former Shadow turned producer Tony
Meehan, who brought in the help of songwriter Jerry Lordan. Between them, the
two men would become responsible for much of Louise’s recording career. She was
launched with the catchy I’m just a baby, a song that Lordan had written with
Brenda Lee in mind. Issued
in June 1962, the record sailed into the charts, reaching number 13 that summer. Louise was holidaying with her family in Italy at the time of its release, and her absence prevented her from promoting the record.
in June 1962, the record sailed into the charts, reaching number 13 that summer. Louise was holidaying with her family in Italy at the time of its release, and her absence prevented her from promoting the record.
The record’s success, coupled with Louise’s fluent
French, made it perhaps inevitable that Decca would attempt to launch the
singer in France. Her UK hit was duly translated and released as Je n’suis
qu’un baby. Back at home, the similar-sounding Sweet enough became her
follow-up.
In February 1963, record buyers on both sides of the
Channel were treated to the release of an EP that led with the excellent
Lordan/Meehan composition She’s got you. After appearing in the film Just for
fun in 1963, Louise set out on promotional tours of both France and Britain.
This guaranteed the singer exceptional exposure – appearing before huge crowds
as she supported first the French king of rock ‘n’ roll, Johnny Hallyday, and
then at home, The Beatles & Roy Orbison. To coincide with her British tour she released a
version of Lonnie Jay and the Jaynes’ Around and around in May 1963.
Gerry and the Pacemakers also appeared on the bill of the
Beatles tour and Louise struck up a friendship with Gerry Marsden. The
Liverpudlian star offered her the song Don’t let the sun catch you crying,
which became Louise’s fourth British 45, in February 1964. (When it failed to
trouble chart compilers, Marsden issued his own version and was rewarded with a
top ten hit.)
Louise also cut the song in French as Laisse le soleil
sécher tes larmes for what would prove her final French EP. The disc, issued in
March 1964, led with the strong Pour toi (a version of the Joe Burke-penned For
you) and also included J’aime trop Johnny (a take on Ted Lewis’ 1930s hit Have
you ever been lonely) and the French original Dix mille fois.
By mid-1964 Louise was duly dispatched into the studio to
record a version of Don’t make me over, originally an American hit for Dionne
Warwick. John Lennon recommended a song to go on the B-side of the single, Mary
Wells’ Motown hit Two lovers. Both recordings feature future Led Zeppelin guitarist
Jimmy Page, plus backing vocals from The Breakaways, but the single failed to
chart. For many girl pop aficionados, however, it is this, Louise’s final UK
45, that is the finest of her short career.
Disappointed at her lack of success, Louise enrolled at
secretarial college, before taking a job with a photographic agency. Through
connections she made there, she began working for Marianne Faithfull and
provided linguistic coaching for the latter’s French recording sessions. Louise
left the world of pop altogether shortly afterwards.
She would go on to marry a Greek man and have three
children. Her eldest son is the singer Alexi Murdoch. She now lives in Greece,
but also has a home in London.
(Edited mainly from ReadySteadyGirls)
Here’s Louise
singing “Which Way The Wind Blows.” Taken from the film “ Just For Fun.” Many
onlookers at the time regarded this as the best music clip in the movie and the
highlight of the entire film. And i think they were definitely right. Filmed in
February 1963 when Louise was just 18 years old.
2 comments:
Fpr “Louise Cordet – The Sweet Beat of Louise Cordet (1962-1964)” go here;
https://www.upload.ee/files/8365190/Louise_Cordet_.rar.html
1. I'm Just A Baby (British A-side, 1962)
2. In A Matter Of Moments (British B-side, 1962)
3. Faire Le Grand Voyage (French EP, 1963)
4. Que M'a. T’il Fait? (French EP, 1963)
5. Sweet Enough (British A-SIDE, 1962)
6. Someone Else's Fool (British B-side, 1962)
7. From Me To You (French EP, 1963)
8. L'amour Tourne En Rond (French EP, 1963)
9. She's Got You (British EP, 1963)
10. We Know Why (British EP, 1963)
11. Everytime (British EP, 1963)
12. Crazy Kind Of Love (British EP, 1963)
13. Around And Around (British A-side, 1963)
14. Which Way The Wind Blows ((British B-side/Just For Fun soundtrack, 1963)
15. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying (British A-side, 1964)
16. Loving Baby (British B-side, 1964)
17. Pour Toi (French EP, 1964)
18. J'aime Trop Johnny (French EP, 1964)
19. It's So Hard To Be Good (Just For You soundtrack, 1964)
20. Laisse Le Soleil Secher Tes Larmes (French EP, 1964)
21. Dix Mille Fois (French EP, 1964)
22. Don't Make Me Over (British A-side, 1964)
23. Two Lovers (British B-side, 1964)
24. Je N'suis Qu'un Baby (French A-side, 1962)
A big thank you to T&J @ allmusic-wingsofdream.blog for active link.
I was looking for this and a Gillian Hills comp just yesterday, so I can expand my Ye-Ye 45's collection, if I like a track I buy the vinyl.
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