Classic songs for an older generation
At GigLinked, we're often asked for song recommendations to play in retirement homes. Being from Quebec, this requires a repertoire of both English and French songs, upbeat and mellow, and a selection that spans several decades.
Below is a list of songs that would be a great addition to your repertoire should you get booked for a retirement home gig. By clicking the song name, you'll be directed to a Youtube video of the song.
English Songs (Chansons anglaises):
- Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
- Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
- Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
- Twistin’ the Night Away - Sam Cooke
- Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
- Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins
- Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
- I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
- Tutti Frutti - Little Richard
- Shout - The Isley Brothers
- La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
- Do You Love Me - The Contours
- Shout - Lulu
- Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
- I Get Around - The Beach Boys
- Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
- Surfin’ USA - The Beach Boys
- I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
- Twist and Shout - The Beatles
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- Dancing Queen - ABBA
- Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
- Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
- I’m a Believer - The Monkees
- Hey Jude - The Beatles
- I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
- Fly me to the moon - Tony Bennett
- That’s Amore – Dean Martin
- Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
- Put Your Head On My Shoulder – Paul Anka
- My Way - Frank Sinatra
- Lucille - Kenny Rogers
- Lady - Kenny Rogers
- Puppy Love - Paul Anka
- Crazy - Patsy Cline
- You Belong to Me - Patsy Cline
- Under the Boardwalk - The Drifters
- Sherry - Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
- What's new Pussycat - Tom Jones
- I Got you Babe - Sonny and Cher
- It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley
French Songs (Chansons françaises):
- Le Twist - Johnny Hallyday
- Un amour qui ne veut pas mourir - Renée Martel
- Les Copains d’abord - Georges Brassens
- Mille Après Mille - Willie Lamothe
- La Dame en bleu - Michel Louvain
- Ne Me Quitte Pas - Jacques Brel
- Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien - Edith Piaf
- La Bohème - Charles Aznavour
- La vie en Rose - Edith Piaf
- La Mer - Charles Trenet
- Et Maintenant - Gilbert Bécaud
- Le Twist du Canotier - Frank Alamo
- Douce France - Charles Trenet
- La Complainte des Infidèles - Serge Reggiani
- La Chanson des Jumelles - Michel Legrand
- Elle A... Les Yeux Revolver - Marc Lavoine (1998, but in a 60s style)
- La Guerre des Boutons - Yves Montand
- Pour Moi la Vie Va Commencer - Johnny Hallyday
- Salut les Copains - Johnny Hallyday
- C’est Si Bon - Louis Armstrong
- Champs-Élysées - Joe Dassin
- Evidemment - France Gall
- Toute les garçons et les filles de mon age - Françoise Hardy
- T'es mon amour t'es ma maîtresse - Ginette Reno
- Le temps de l'amour - Françoise Hardy
Do you organize events at retirement homes or are a musician interested in performing in them? GigLinked will help you find musicians or gigs - reach us at www.giglinked.live or info@giglinked.live.
GigLinked is the musicians' marketplace - free for musicians and practical for bookers and event planners. We make it easy to find, hire, and pay skilled musicians in your area. To learn more, visit our website at www.giglinked.live or email us at info@giglinked.live.