Drum Sheet – Renaud – Les Animals

When Renaud returned to recording at the end of the 2010s, he wanted to make an album that felt playful and full of life. The result was Les Mômes et les Enfants d’Abord (2019), a record inspired by childhood, imagination, and the joy of storytelling. Among its most energetic tracks is “Les Animals,” a song that stands out for its humor—and for its lively rhythmic groove.

Renaud has always loved playing with language. In “Les Animals,” he takes a deliberately childish approach to English words, pronouncing them in a very French way. The title itself already hints at the joke: the English word animals pronounced with a thick French accent.

The song fits perfectly with the theme of the album, which celebrates the world of children and the playful way they mix languages and sounds. Rather than telling a complex political story like many of his earlier songs, Renaud chose to write something light and mischievous. The lyrics describe animals in a humorous and exaggerated way, almost like a musical cartoon.

The music for the album was created with Renaud’s band and longtime collaborators during the recording sessions in Paris. The goal was to capture a simple, joyful rock feel that would match the playful lyrics.

For fans of the drums, “Les Animals” is one of the most enjoyable tracks on the record. The drum part drives the song with a steady rock groove that keeps everything bouncing along. The drummer, Raphaël Chassin, uses a tight hi-hat pattern with a crisp snare backbeat, giving the track a lively pulse that feels almost like a children’s parade marching forward.

Small fills appear between vocal phrases, adding character without overpowering the storytelling. This kind of drumming is all about supporting the song’s humor and rhythm, making sure every lyrical punchline lands at the right moment.

“Les Animals” was recorded in Paris in 2018 during the sessions for the album, which was released in April 2019. The record marked an important moment for Renaud, showing he could still write songs full of warmth and personality decades into his career.

When Renaud returned to the stage during his 2019 tour, songs from the album—including “Les Animals”—were performed for enthusiastic audiences in French venues such as L’Olympia and other major theaters. Live, the rhythm section gave the song even more energy, with the drums pushing the groove and encouraging the audience to clap along.

For drum lovers, “Les Animals” is a reminder that great drumming doesn’t always have to be complex. A solid beat, a few well-placed fills, and the right sense of fun can transform a humorous song into a track that makes listeners smile—and tap their feet at the same time.