Le pénitencier by Johnny Hallyday (1964)"Le Pénitencier" is a...

Le pénitencier by Johnny Hallyday (1964)
"Le Pénitencier" is a French adaptation of the traditional folk song "The House of the Rising Sun," famously popularized by The Animals. This version was performed by Johnny Hallyday, a French rock and roll icon often referred to as the "French Elvis." "Le Pénitencier" was released in 1964, the same year The Animals' version of "The House of the Rising Sun" became a global hit. The song became one of Johnny Hallyday's biggest hits and solidified his status as a major star in the French-speaking world. While "The House of the Rising Sun" is traditionally about a life gone wrong, "Le Pénitencier" (which translates to "The Penitentiary") shifts the focus to a man who is being sent to prison, expressing regret and sorrow for his actions and the pain caused to his loved ones.




House of the Rising Sun - Doreen Ketchens, Clarinet with the Dallas Winds