Rouget de Lisle: One Hit Wonder!

Rouget de Lisle died on 26 June 1836. He was the composer of THE song that became the French national anthem La Marseillaise.

Initially written as a war cry when the young Republic engaged against the first coalition of European Monarchs, the lyrics of the song could be described as more gory than poetic and could easily fit within the setlist of a heavy metal band…

Interestingly, when Napoleon was defeated and European Kings restored Monarchy in France - against the will of French people - Rouget de Lisle composed another song entitled « Vive le Roi »… Long live the King!

The new King Louis XVIII upon hearing who had penned the song did not quite embrace it… Or did he find the lyrics too dull or not « Revolutionary » enough?