As a French singer of traditional pop music, Yvette Giraud's modest success in
her homeland was outshined by her longstanding popularity in Japan, where she
was named the "lady ambassador of French song." She was born in Paris, France,
on September 16, 1916, and made her singing debut in 1945, when she served as an
entertainer for the British Army during World War II. One year later, she
released her debut single, "Mademoiselle Hortensia." Her catalog of French
standards quickly grew to encompass staples like "Les Lavandières du Portugal,"
"Ma guêpière et mes longs jupons," "L'Âm...