Blog 2: France Eurovision Performances
Introduction
In this blog post, I focus on 5 past Eurovision performances from the country France. The focus is on interpreting the lyrics and actual stage performances by the artists in the contest. Close analyzation of what they wear, what effects are going on in the background, if the stage performances match up with the lyrics and other details going on. France as a country participating in Eurovision typically has a formula of slow songs with little effects in the background to emphasize the romanticized feeling of France. This is especially true of years 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2006, with all of their performances having the same kind of minimalistic feel to it in regards to stage performance and the song. The outlier performance from France that goes against this notion is their 2014 showing. Their 2014 performance fits many cliches of Eurovision such as poppy music with bright lights and effects in the background that catch the viewer’s eye, but is also a representative of issues in the core of France identity.
France 2000:
“On aura le ciel” (2000) is sung by Sofia Mestari. To start, the only change to the light was at the beginning of the performance when Sofia first begins singing, where the floor lights up with a scarlet color. The light on the floor and the background stays scarlet and gold, never changing to what is spoken in the lyrics like some other Eurovision performances have done (Austria 2014).
In terms of background props, there is only the instrumentalist along with 3 background singers. Visuals in the performance are conservative, the singers and instrumentalist just sing and play their guitar and drums in harmony with Sofia. No dancers are in the performance, fitting with the overall focus on vocals and instruments due to the minimal approach from lack of changing lights and effects. One thing stood out in the background which were lips with the France flag colors that was next to the lights. The lips appeared as a symbol of representing a love song and not much more. My interpretation of the lyrics regard it as a positive love song throughout and not much more. Parts in the song such as “ And on your heart, my heart, light, taken by the wind, Oh you… and I” (Diggiloo), do not have much meaning other than a girl being lovestruck with her significant other. Much of the lyrics in the song are along the same line, “ A little bit like angels, wings, we're flying away, you and I” and playing under the sky, “Oh... to play with clouds under the blue sky, my baby” (Diggiloo). These lyrics are on the notion of young lovers being in a feeling of bliss due to all the references of clouds, skies and angels. The way Sophia sings also fits the theme of the performance and song. Her voice does not go monotone, and sounds cheery and hopeful throughout. Overall this performance fits the narrative of France and love that is associated with it.
France 2001:
“Je nai que mon âme” (2001) is sung by Natasha St Pier. This performance, like 2000, also had a conservative style which focuses more on the love side of France. On stage, there was only Natasha, along with blue lights shining down onto her and spiraling light of gold in the background. A TV screen is above Natasha’s head which had ocean waves going on throughout the song. The lack of change in lighting and effects lead me to believe the performance is all about what Natasha is singing and her vocals.
The lyrics as I interpreted, were Natasha relying on herself and being independent due to a past relationship. Natasha’s song is titled I Only Have My Soul in english, and some of the lyrics attest to how she is bottling up feelings within herself “And my body is on fire because of the sound of your voice, I'm only a woman who likes you silently”. There are also lines that highlight weakness within herself, “Derisory arms to talk about myself”, displaying herself coping with the past. However, the last few lines of the song is sung in English opposed to French in the first part, which an article thinks ruined the atmosphere of the song “I don’t like the mix of languages as it breaks the atmosphere for me and this one’s a prime example. The French bit sounds so poetic but when we get to English it all becomes a bit harsh” (Dimivision). I believe switching from French to English makes the song better due to the change it signifies. Her lyrics become stronger in meaning when talking about herself, “I'd rather be damned if I lose my faith” and “I am what I am, all I have is my soul”, displaying how she believes in what she has. Her vocal range extends in her English singing, signifying added strength because of how much stronger she sounds. This song fits the minimal feeling of stage performance like the 2000 France Eurovision, but has a darker tone which makes it stand apart.
France 2003:
Louisa Baileche is the singer who performed the song “Monts et merveilles” (2003) for France at the 2003 Eurovision song contest. This performance also fits the mold of the 2000 and 2001 performances from France. Emphasis on romanticism represent the love narrative presented in France. The lights, effects and background are minimal, seeing as there are only 4 other people on stage with Louisa and they are all playing instruments rather than dancing. Light does not change much at all during the performance but there are more effects in the background than in the previous 2 performance. Midway through the song, as the lyrics become hopeful and the instruments start to pick up, there is a clapping motion with the lights and effects in the background.
The clapping effect ties into the lyrics because as the song goes on, the woman becomes more hopeful. In the beginning, Louisa sings the song at a very slow pace, which ties into how she is coping with looking for her lover, “I examine the sky like a deluded angel” and “Where are you, my love?”, which displays her inner turmoil going on. The effects of the clapping and instruments picking up go along with her lyrics as the song becomes more positive at the end, “Only sunshine, not to talk about it anymore, To forget a little”. Positivity in the lyrics goes hand in hand with the clapping effects of the song, giving the performance an added dimension to it because there is some sort of visual to go along with the song as it progressed, unlike the 2000 and 2001 performance where no effects or lighting changed. France 2003 Eurovision performance fit the mold of minimalistic like previous years but also added a little extra entertainment to the viewers.
France 2006:
Virginie Pouchin is the artist who sings “Il était Temps” for France at the 2006 Eurovision contest. Like the other 3 performances mentioned earlier, the performance itself has very little detail going on. There are white lights and stair-like structures in the background with a violinist but there is nothing else happening. No effects are created to match the lyrics and the white light stays the same color the whole time.
I interpreted the lyrics as being able to reach a dream, and for Virginie it might have been performing in the Eurovision final. Lyrics such as “It was time for heaven to remember me at last”, and “I'd be glad to tell the children, that I've touched it once in my lifetime” gives the view that since Virginie is singing in Eurovision, it is her touching the dream and now she can be memorable.
France 2014:
The song “Moustache” (2014) is sung by the French band TWIN TWIN. This performance was the outlier in the France Eurovision performances because of the change from minimal lighting and effects, to blaring light switches and effects going on in the background, along with the lyrics being more than just a love song. Lighting in the performance constantly changes with neon colors while the floor is also switched from a checker look to solid colors at times. The background consists of a grid with moustaches appearing from time to time and all 4 of the instrumentalist are jumping around instead of standing still. One detail to note is the only black male in the performance is shirtless and has face paint on, signifying something of the race issue in France. This performance fits the mold of a cliche Eurovision performance due to all the lighting and effects that attempt to catch the viewer's eye.
Instead of focusing on love or reaching a goal, the lyrics in this song have a different meaning, one of masculinity and vigor. Some of the lyrics used attest to this, such as “I don’t like to show my feelings, I lift weights at the gym, my body is a war machine” all indicating towards sign of strength and displaying masculine qualities such as not showing feelings to others. The theme of wanting a moustache is also emphasized throughout the song, signifying the need of one to be masculine and strong. Lastly, treatment of lower class people is also represented in the song “I don’t even know my own cleaning lady!”, displaying the lack of empathy towards others.
The first 4 performances suggest that France embraces their love and positive culture shown on the surface that is seen in Paris “City of Love. The most romantic city in the world. A place where starry-eyed lovers stroll” (Kinkade), due to the lyrics and romanticized feeling shown in the performances. Moustache represents the subtle racism, treatment of the lower class and how women and men are treated differently in France.
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