“Alice” is one of Eddy Mitchell’s classic French pop-rock songs, released at the start of 1967 as part of his album De Londres à Memphis. It was written by Pierre Papadiamandis (music) and Claude Moine (Eddy’s real name on lyrics) — a songwriting team behind many of Mitchell’s early hits.
Unlike the rock-and-roll or country-rock songs that Mitchell would explore more deeply later in his career, “Alice” sits in a space between yéyé moodiness and classic early French rhythm & blues. Musically, it’s built around a strong melody with steady rhythmic support that underpins the emotional storytelling.
The lyrics speak of longing and nostalgia, with the narrator — presumably Mitchell himself — addressing “Alice” about a place that no longer exists and echoing themes of memory and love lost. The imagery evokes dreams, waking reality, and the idea that the world shifts when love is gone.
For a fan of the drums, “Alice” is a great example of how percussion can quietly define a song’s emotional ebb and flow. Rather than flashy fills or aggressive accents, the drum part in “Alice” provides a steady backbone. The beat typically stays in the pocket, supporting the vocal and melody while adding a subtle sense of movement and tension. The drummer focuses on control, consistency, and feel, letting the groove breathe beneath the narrative. While there’s not a lot of published detail about specific session players on the original recording, the rhythmic framework reflects the era’s blend of pop and R&B — laying down a pulse that feels both relaxed and deeply expressive.
“Alice” would go on to be played live in Eddy Mitchell’s concerts throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. It featured in performances at venues like L’Olympia in Paris, where Mitchell was establishing his solo identity apart from his early days with Les Chaussettes Noires. Over the years, “Alice” remained a favorite among his fans and appeared on best of collections and retrospectives, helping define his sound in that transitional period of French pop.
In concert settings, the rhythm section often adapts the original drum feel to the energy of the performance — sometimes tightening the groove with snare accents and dynamic shifts, other times relishing a more laid-back beat that lets the vocals and band breathe. For fans of the drums, “Alice” is a reminder that tasteful, supportive playing can be as unforgettable as a solo — especially when it underpins one of Eddy Mitchell’s most poetic early songs.
The Easy version keeps the same structure as the original song, but uses simpler grooves and breaks, so you can start playing the track quickly without spending hours on the hardest parts.
Tip: Keep practicing the original difficult parts on the side, and add them gradually as you improve.
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