He signed some of the greatest hits of French music, including the song from the film “A Man and a Woman” by Claude Lelouch, which won the Palme d’Or in 1966. The composer continued to work with Claude Lelouch throughout his career and was in fact working on the soundtrack for his latest film planned for release in 2019, “The Best Years”—the sequel to the cult film “A Man and a Woman.” “Edith and Marcel” (1982, with “I Was Only Waiting for You” by Charles Aznavour), “A Man and a Woman: Twenty Years Already” (1986), “Itinerary of a Spoiled Child” (1988), which earned him his first César, and “There Are Days…And Moons” (1990).
In 1970, Francis Lai won the Oscar for Best Original Score for his work on “Love Story.” The theme “Where Do I Begin” performed by Andy Williams was immediately covered by Mireille Mathieu (“A Story of Love”).
He also composed for artists such as Edith Piaf (“The Man from Berlin”), Dalida, or Juliette Gréco, Philippe Léotard, Yves Montand (“La Bicyclette”), and Nicole Martin (“Good Evening Sadness”).
Francis Lai wrote music for more than 100 films in total and composed over 600 songs.
The Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, announced that a public place will be named after him.
