Last updated on 12 May 2026
I missed this free resource to use songs as an original teaching aid for a course.
This is a real pity, because “These songs that make history”, the title of a Famous Chronicle of France Info now ‘These songs that make the news’, is a useful tool for teaching history, languages or even French through music.
‘These songs make history’ is a series of columns by Bertrand Dicale, a renowned specialist in popular music. In it, he explores how certain songs have influenced history or reflected particular eras, thus offering a unique and original perspective on history through music.
191 songs to use in class
About Eduscol you will find nearly 200 chronicles of Bertrand Dicale broadcast on France Info available to teachers.
The topics covered are varied, ranging from major historical events to social movements and cultural developments. This approach not only makes it possible toteach history in a playful way, but also to explore the links between music and society. This allows you to tackle complex topics in a more accessible and original way for students.
A timeless educational tool
The columns were broadcast between 2010 and 2013 but it is an educational material that did not get a wrinkle.
To help you find your happiness, this music mini-site offers many filters to help you find your happiness. You can filter the chronicles by musical genres, by languages, by subjects or by historical landmarks. Simple but effective.
Pedagogical sheets to exploit the songs
Many columns (years 2010,2011) are accompanied by a detailed pedagogical sheet, offering you valuable resources for exploit these songs in class. These sheets include contextual information, suggestions for activities and ideas to stimulate discussions with your students. Practical.
You will also find the detailed references of all the titles mentioned in the column.
Each column is listened to directly online, but you can also download it in mp3 format.
Various uses to learn through music
There are many ways to use all this teaching material in progress:
- In the course of history to illustrate specific historical periods through the iconic songs of the time or to analyse the evolution of mentalities and social movements through the lyrics of the songs.
- In civic education to examine how certain songs have influenced or reflected important societal changes.
- In French to analyse the lyrics of the songs from a literary and poetic point of view.
Ideas for educational activities
- Have excerpts of songs listened to and ask students to identify the historical context.
- Encourage students to seek out additional information about the songs and their context.
- Organise student presentations on specific songs and their historical significance.
‘These songs that make history’ is an educational resource that deserves to be known. Too bad that the site does not seem to be updated for a while.
A multidisciplinary approach that makes it possible to approach history, music, literature and even foreign languages in an original way. Students can develop their critical thinking skills by analyzing the lyrics and context of songs, while improving their understanding of historical events.
English