Moustaki Georges

Georges Moustaki was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1934. He spent time in Paris as a teenager before returning to Egypt, where he wrote songs for Arabic singers. In 1954 he moved back to France and found a mentor in Édith Piaf, performing in Parisian cabarets.

His 1966 song 'Le Métèque' became a breakthrough, an anthem for immigrants that resonated in French society. Moustaki's music often drew from his Mediterranean background and travels, with songs like 'La mer m'a donné' and 'Bahia' reflecting that sensibility. His guitar playing was simple and rhythmic, supporting vocals that carried both tenderness and wry humor.

He continued writing and performing songs like 'Heureusement qu'il y a de l'herbe' and '17 ans' that captured ordinary human experiences without grandiosity.