I never managed to grasp the passé simple in my high school French classes. But I sure remember the songs we would sing, from “Alouette” to one that began, “Bonsoir, mes amis, bonsoir…” It is long overdue, but some academics have finally realized that through song French can be easier to learn (albeit less thoroughly) than through blackboard conjugations. SUBlingual’s “Learn French Through Music!” is a CD of 13 pop songs with a booklet of lyrics in French and in English. (The booklet also includes bios of the bands, thumbnail info on French-speaking countries, and some basic grammar and expressions.) First Lady Carla Bruni shows us how to say, “When he leans over me, I’m up all night.” (On the song’s corresponding page in the booklet, there’s photo of a hot young shirtless guy bearing very little resemblance to Bruni’s husband). Pink Martini teaches up to say, “I lost my nose in front of the Bon Marché.” Their song ironically doubles as an example of how not to speak French; try as she might, the singer has a cringe-inducing American accent. Other handy expressions on the CD include “I’m alone, it appalls me, I probably didn’t deserve this” and “I got drunk.” Ultimately, the kit won’t teach you much French, but if you have an ear for contemporary pop music, it can’t hurt as an add-on to proper French classes. Personally I’d prefer a kit with older songs, like maybe Edith Piaf teaching us to declare, “I regret nothing!”