Change Log:
Original article on Linuxslate.com – May 2010
Additions/Spelling – June 2010
Additions/Format/Spelling/Non-Working links removed – Sept 2010
Additions/Spelling/Edits – Feb 2012
Moved to Carcynic.com – March 2012
Additions – April 2012
Additions – November 2012
Additons – Feb 2013
Citroen Songs
When considering a used Citroen for purchase, buyers and mechanics will typically listen for the periodic click of the hydraulic pressure regulator. But there’s got to be something better to listen to while riding around in your personal bit of French history (or French state of the art for those in countries where Citroens are still sold.)
References to particular automobiles in music, and in fact entire songs about certain cars are pretty common, and our favorite French techno-marvels are no exception. What follows is a list of music that is somehow related to Citroen automobiles.
Songs are listed by: Artist – Album – Song, but are in no particular order. Links are provided to purchase some of the referenced music on Amazon.com. I receive no profit from linking to Amazon. I choose Amazon because they sell music in standard, unencrypted (DRM free) format that is compatible with most devices, and does not restrict fair use of purchased music.
Grace Jones – Slave to the Rhythm – Slave to the Rhythm
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Grace Jones appeared in a 1980’s TV advertisement for the Citroen CX, and video from the ad is included in the music video for this song. It is said that Grace Jones’ hair style was supposed to look like the aerodynamic shape of the CX. Be warned – The ad and the video is… Well… it’s Grace Jones… if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. Some have suggested that the TV ad may have actually reduced sales of the Citroen CX.
Jane Child – Jane Child – DS 21
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Jane Child owns (or did own) at least one US version DS 21. The car is featured in photographs on her official website. She wrote the song DS 21 about, or even for… her car. Jane Child is a brilliant song writer and keyboardist. Strongly recommended especially if you have not heard her work before.
Les Rythmes Digitales – Jacques Your Body (Make Me Sweat) – Jacques Your Body (Make Me Sweat)
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
This is the music from the revolutionary Dancing Robot TV ad for the Citroen C4. Even thought the Citroen C4 is not available in North America, the ad garnered worldwide attention, and prompted not only several follow-ons from Citroen as we will see below, but also several parodies and even a real “rebuttal” ad from Chevrolet.
The Egg – David Waxman pres. Ultra Electro – Walking Away (Tocadisco Remix)
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Song Heard on the Citroen C4 “Skating Robot” follow-on advert.
Note: Links to videos on Citroen UK websites that were previously on this page have stopped working. It looks like Citroen moved some of the videos to different websites. These websites now either attempted to do a reverse DNS lookup (likely to see if you are in the UK or not,) or require a password. Am I naive if I think this was partially due to this website?
Luke Dzierzek – One Day/Echo – Echo
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Yet another C4 Transformers ad, and more electronica/techno/what-ever-you-call-it music. This one Shows a C4 converting into a robot while traveling along a bridge. It runs past some bicyclists who don’t seem particularly alarmed by the event.
MC Lita – Club remake of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gee’s
OK, one last Citroen C4 Transformers ad. I feel I have to include it for completeness. Interestingly, the ad is set in New York city, and a voice over says “100% New York” even though the car is not available to us here in the ‘States. This remake of the Bee Gee’s song does not seem to be available on Amazon.com.
DATA – One in a Million EP – One in a Million
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Citroen is bringing back the “DS” name, in a car they are advertising as “Anti-Retro”. Several dozen CGI Citroen DS3’s do some CGI synchronized driving to “One in a Million” by DATA in this ad.
Richard Wagner – Wagner: Great Overtures – Ride Of The Valkyries
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Yes, that Wagner. No trendy Club/Electronic mixes here. Citroen is seriously out for a piece of BMW’s market with the C5, and that means serious music. The ad portrays a driver that apparently can have anything German he wants, including the bar maid, but is content to just look at his C5. If your musical tastes require tunes that are a little more up with the times than something from a decomposing composer, there are several heavy metal remakes for your speaker-immolating pleasure. Follow this Amazon search link as a start to finding some of them.
Sacha Di Manolo – Ride On / Side Of Your Life – (Single) – Ride On
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Most of the song is used as the music for the very cool Citroen 90th anniversary advertisement. Clips from various Citroen ads and historic footage is shown in time with the music. Worth watching just for the way the music and the video is made to work together, even if you have no interest in automobiles of any kind. The very first part of the song, where a voice says “‘It cost me a lot” is not included in the ad. Search YouTube for this, and some of the other videos mentioned on this page. Specific links are not included due to the fact that YouTube content frequently changes, and some material may have copyright issues.
Luscious Jackson – Greatest Hits – Naked Eye
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
A Black Citroen CX Prestige appears at the beginning and end of the music video for this alternative music.
Air – Virgin Suicides – Dirty Trip
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
This song is playing as the Citroen C6 is introduced during it’s review by the British show Top Gear. Sort of mellow chill electronic music by the French group Air. The effect of the music, and some artistic photography really work well to introduce this striking car in the Top Gear episode.
Kelly Obsourne – One Word – One Word
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com MP3 Music Downloads
Kelly Osbourne takes a ride in an 1960’s DS or ID19 for the video for “One Word”. Another one of my personal favorites, and when I have to buy new speakers, this song may well be the reason. Say what you want about the Osbournes, but if Kelly’s talent were on trial, I’d submit this song and video as evidence.
Pendulum – Immersion – Witchcraft
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.co.uk Music Downloads
The Official FIA World Rally Championship Game for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will be released shortly, and this music accompanies an ad for the game. (Follow the Games Link from the FIA WRC Official page.) WRC, the Game, and thus the advert for the game feature the Citroen WRC cars prominently. I owned an older version of the game for PS2, and it did not have the quality or realism of GT4, so I would not recommend this game over GT5 without trying it, but I do like the music. It’s Intense, Musical Electronica that’s really hard not to like even if this sort of thing isn’t what you normally listen to. The newest album, “Immersion” is not available yet on the US Amazon MP3 Downloads Store. You can buy the CD Single, or get the MP3 alblum on the official Pendulum US web store, or buy from the Amazon UK Download Store.
Yello – – Mean Monday
Not available on Amazon Music Downloads. Allegedly available on iTunes.
Please note – Songs purchased on iTunes may not play on, or may be more difficult to move to devices other than those made by Apple.
This is the first I have heard of Yello, and I must say that the only thing impressive about this song/video is the early DS or ID that is featured throughout the video– Well, OK, I guess Melanie Oertig’s not bad to look at either, — but as far as the music and lyrics are concerned, the fact that I cannot buy it in a format that will play on my devices really does not bother me that much. The director must have liked the Citroen too, as there are lots of cool shots, including a final scene of it lowering it’s suspension. Recommendations: Put Melanie in a Stop Smoking program — Nix the band — Keep the Citroen.
Kosheen – Kokopelli – Avalanche
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.co.uk Music Downloads
This song was featured in a video of Citroen Junior WRC driver Thierry Neuville training in Finland for the 2012 Rally Sweden. The video was featured on Best of Rally Live. The song is so awesome, and the winter wonderland scenery so surreal that not much editing was needed to produce an incredible Audio/Visual sensation. (It was a Subaru they were using for practice, not the Citroen DS3 WRC, but hey, it’s still Citroen Related.)
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close – Feel So Close
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com Music Downloads
The song Feel So Close by Calvin Harris was featured during the Paris Auto show this year when Citroen used the song during an attempt to create a “Flash Mob” at their display. It was actually quite successful, with a crowd forming and dancers dancing around the incredible Citroen Numero 9 prototype. Check the video, and learn the dance: http://youtu.be/J_7q66SuRx0
Spandau Ballet – True – True
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Amazon.com Music Downloads
(This Much is) True by Spandau Ballet has become the victim of is featured in an advert for the Citroen DS3 Cabrio. In an almost disturbing “dream sequence” an alien baby – or at least a baby with un-humanly long hair – is riding a horse along a beach. Fortunately, it is a law abiding long-haired alien baby, because when it comes to a traffic light, it obediently stops (even without having any reins on the horse). The stop light brings us back to the waking world, where we find that the baby is, in reality, exactly the type of guy you would expect to find listening to Spandau Ballet and day dreaming while he is driving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcolhXYrOlg
Montmartre – – Hope
Listen to a Sample/Buy on Google Play
In the lead-up to the Paris Motor Show, Citroen has unvield yet another prototype in their flagship CX/C6 line — The Citroen CXpirience:
The song “Hope” by MontMartre provides a pleasant accompaniment to the awesome setting and videography.
Read more about the car, find a link to the video, and the Official Citroen CXpirience page here near the bottom of the CarCynic.com CX/C6 webpage.
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Lots More! See Links Below. (The linked page is the source for some of the material on this page.)
Citroens in Movies:
In the 3rd Harry Potter movie — Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban — a Citroen Xantia is shown near the beginning of the movie. In one of my favorite sequences of the entire series to date, The Knight Bus picks up Harry Potter and delivers him to the Leaky Cauldron (That’s in London). The Knight Bus seems to be capable of amazing (I suppose I should say — magical) acceleration among other feats. Despite this, upon arriving in front of the Leaky Cauldron, the Knight Bus bumps the rear of the Citroen Xantia, setting off it’s alarm. One can’t help but wonder if the fact that it is a French car that gets bumped in a British series is more than coincidental. Would Ernie (the driver), or perhaps the Knight Bus itself, have been more careful approaching a Vauxhaull or Jaguar? Reference: Internet Movie Car Data Base — See links below. Comments on the IMCDB specifically identify the vehicle as a 1994 Citroen Xantia 2.0i. The IMCDB has reference to dozens of other movies (most French, of course) in which Citroens can be seen.
There is a famous chase scene in the James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only”. James Bond (played by Roger Moore) drives a Citroen 2CV to escape the bad guys. Singer Sheena Easton sang the theme song of the same name.
In the movie GATTACA, Irene Cassini (Played by Uma Thurman) drives what is supposed to be (in the movie), a futuristic turbine powered car. In actuality, it was a 1960’s DS 19 Cabriolet. The music for GATTACA was composed by Michael Nyman. A 1960’s Avanti also stands in for a car of the future in this film.
Motion Picture Sound Track to “GATTACA”, on Amazon Music (Audio CD)
A Citroen DS 21 is seen regularly in the CBS TV series “The Mentalist”. Music for the show was written by Blake Neely.
You can listen to his music on his website.
Celebrity and Musician Citroen Owners:
Carlos Santa is said to have owned at least a couple of Citroen CX’s, so I guess it is appropriate to add anything by Carlos Santa to this list.
Carlos Santana Albums and MP3 Downloads on Amazon Music
The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts owned a Citroen SM. To limit it a bit, The SM was introduced in 1970, so technically one could add Rolling Stones music from any album after “Let it Bleed” to this list.
Rolling Stones Albums and MP3 Downloads on Amazon Music
Dr. Theo’s Citroen CX website states that the lead singer of the band Pro-Jekt owned a Series 1 Citroen CX, but the name listed does not match any current or ex Pro-Jekt band member according to Wikipedia or anything else I can find. Additionally, it lists Pro-Jekt as an Austrian band, but Wikipedia states that they are from the UK. Never the less, if you like Darkwave/Goth Metal, load them up anyway.
Pro-Jekt on Amazon MP3 Downloads
Links:
Wikipedia Page on Citroen
Wikipedia page on gray market cars: Specifically the paragraph on US law.
Jane Child Official Website. A picture of her with her car is here.
1994 Citroën Xantia in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Discussion on IMCDB.org
Here’s a Page with Lots more Music Videos that feature Citroens
Dr. Theo’s page of facts about the Citroen CX (Click on “Did You Know)
About:
This article originally appeared on CarCynic’s sister site, Linuxslate.com.
Linuxslate.com is primarily about portable devices that use (or can use) the free and open source Linux operating system. It also includes reviews of various technology products (even if they do not use Linux), as well as commentary on technology and science related issues. Linuxslate.com is owned and edited by a Citroen owner and enthusiast. You can visit the Linuxslate.com Home Page here.
| Disclaimer: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF THE AUTHOR ONLY. SOME MUSIC AND OTHER MEDIA REFERENCED MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES. THE AUTHOR IS IN NO WAY ASSOCIATED WITH AMAZON.COM AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROBLEMS PURCHASING FROM AMAZON.COM OR ANYTHING ON THE AMAZON.COM AND AMAZON.COM RELATED WEBSITES. LINKS TO MUSIC FOR SALE MAY BE IN ERROR, AND/OR BECOME OBSOLETE. IF YOU LOSE YOUR MONEY, PURCHASED MUSIC, OR BOTH, I CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR HELP YOU. THE AUTHOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF WEBSITES OUTSIDE THE LINUXSLATE.COM/LINUXSLATE.ORG DOMAINS. FOLLOWING THE LINKS ON THIS PAGE COULD CAUSE YOUR COMPUTER TO GET A VIRUS, OR YOUR CAT TO GET FLEAS, OR IT COULD CAUSE YOUR CAT TO GET A VIRUS, AND YOUR COMPUTER TO GET FLEAS. INSTALLING LINUX ON YOUR COMPUTER MAY HELP (ESPECIALLY WITH THE CAT.) SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON THE INTERNET READING DISCLAIMERS COULD BE INDICATIVE OF NOT HAVING A LIFE. AT THE VERY LEAST, YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE TIME FOR A CAT. |
