Charles Borel-Clerc, born Charles Louis Raymond François Clerc on September 22, 1879, in Nay, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France, was a renowned French composer and music publisher. He passed away on April 9, 1959, in Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France. Initially set on a path to become an electrical engineer like his father, Borel-Clerc's life took a pivotal turn when a family acquaintance, a professor at the Conservatoire de musique et de déclamation in Paris, recognized his musical talents. Encouraged to pursue music, he abandoned his engineering studies to learn the oboe and was soon admitted to the Conservatoire, where he excelled in classical music studies.

Despite achieving success in classical music, including a first prize as an instrumentalist, Borel-Clerc's passion lay in chanson française, a genre he would come to significantly influence. He gained fame with songs performed by Félix Mayol, such as "Amour de trottin" and "La Mattchiche," the latter becoming a major hit. His collaborations with lyricists and performers like Dranem, Lucien Boyer, and Maurice Chevalier further cemented his status in the music world. Notable compositions include "La Madelon de la Victoire" and "Ah! Le petit vin blanc," the latter achieving immense popularity post-World War II.

Borel-Clerc's extensive career spanned from 1903 to 1946, during which he composed numerous pieces for various artists, including Jean Lumière, Élyane Célis, and Tino Rossi. His works were recorded and performed by orchestras and ensembles, contributing significantly to the French music scene of the early to mid-20th century.