Now, granted, I’ve only heard about 3 songs about Paris, spanning several genres of music. But all of them feature prominent use of horns.
Is there some reason Paris or the French should evoke clarion musics? I don’t see songs about London or New York featuring them.
Is it meant to evoke medieval pomp and circumstance or is there something I am not aware of? Or is this just coincidence?
I’m genuinely confused; are you talking about French Horns?
I’m also confused. Which songs are you talking about? The first song about Paris that comes to my mind doesn’t feature horns, at least not in the renditions I’ve heard – I’m talking about that old standard about “loving Paris in the springtime” and in the Fall. (Was that Porter? Gershwin?)
Cole Porter wrote I Love Paris in 1953.
Ludovic, do you have any examples? Are you talking about songs in the Tin Pan Alley/Broadway musical tradition? Most popular songs of this type don’t specify orchestrations or arrangements, and many of them have been performed and recorded dozens of times in different ways.
Well, his betrothed did sleep with another guy…
Frank Sinatra’s version of I Love Paris definitely contains horns.
Because Paris Hilton is the DEVIL!!
Umm… wait a second… 
Are we talking about car horns or musical horns?
[QUOTE=Ludovic]
Now, granted, I’ve only heard about 3 songs about Paris, spanning several genres of music. But all of them feature prominent use of horns.
Is there some reason Paris or the French should evoke clarion musics? I don’t see songs about London or New York featuring them.
Is it meant to evoke medieval pomp and circumstance or is there something I am not aware of? Or is this just coincidence?
[/QUOTE]
Anyone can put any instrument in any song. I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying here. It’s called an arrangement.
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers]
Well, his betrothed did sleep with another guy…
[/QUOTE]
::Applause::
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers]
Well, his betrothed did sleep with another guy…
[/QUOTE]
Actually, wasn’t HE the other guy in that one? Helen was married to Menelaus before she ever laid eyes on Paris.
Now I have an image of Priam in Joe Kennedy Sr.'s round glasses, with Joe Jr. insisting “back off, baby brother. I wanna taste of that sugar if I gotta get dragged around over this mess.”
Songs about Paris always remind me of L’ Anarchie Pour le UK from The Great Rock And Roll Swindle, which uses an accordion. So I often associate accordions with songs about Paris.
[QUOTE=jjimm]
::Applause::
[/QUOTE]
Enthusiastically seconded.
[QUOTE=jayjay]
Actually, wasn’t HE the other guy in that one? Helen was married to Menelaus before she ever laid eyes on Paris.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, but Juliet was married to Romeo before SHE ever laid eyes on Paris. 
Gee, why would songs about Paris be accompanied by French horns?
I’ll have to thing about that one.