Though it may seem open-ended, variété refers specifically to a golden era in French pop that was an important extension of the time-honoured tradition of chanson. Emotive lyricism and stirring performances still reign supreme, but from the ’70s onward some of the biggest names in Francophone music—including legends like Jacques Brel, Michel Sardou and Mireille Mathieu—reimagine the genre by reflecting changing societal values and embracing sounds that dominated pop music in the wider world. Here we get au fait with this special time in France’s rich musical history.