Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

Album: The Very Best of Edith Piaf (1960)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Edith Piaf decided to retire in 1960. A few months later, she was persuaded to make a comeback by Charles Dumont and Michel Vaucaire, two young French songwriters, who had written the song "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien." At first she refused to see them or take their song seriously. Dumont recalls in The Daily Express, June 30, 2007, "When I started playing the piano, Piaf's attitude changed immediately. She made me play it over and over again, maybe 5 or 6 times. She said that it was magnificent, wonderful. That it was made for her."
  • The title is French for "No, I Regret Nothing."
  • The character Edith Bunker, the mother on the TV series All in the Family, was named after her Piaf.
  • This was featured in the 2010 movie Inception as the song the team of dream warriors would use as a signal to get out of the dream. Marion Cotillard, who played Mal in the film, won an Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Piaf in the 2007 film La Vie en Rose. The music cue they use for the "kick" in the film is a slowed-down version of this song.

Comments: 2

  • Charles from Bronxville, NyOn his album "Blue Moves" Elton John wrote a song about Edith Piaf entitled "Cage the Songbird." Graham Nash and David Crosby sing backing harmonies. It's an undiscovered jewel.
  • Charles from Glenside, PaLOL - Edith Bunker was named after the Little Sparrow? I'll remember that every time I hear her screaching voice at beginning of 'All in the Family'.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.