. . . "The singer-songwriter, 84-years-old parisian, is credited with reinventing the French chanson, a musical language that embodies the essence of French popular song; and for penning more than 800 songs that have been covered by artist such as Edith Piaf, Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, Elvis Costello, Bobby Darin, Shirley Bassey and Sting." . . . . . . .