Eurovision 1979 - France

Anne-Marie David performing "Je Suis l'Enfant-Soleil", the French entry at the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest.

Quite simply one of my all-time favorites from the contest, a true masterpiece in the very best tradition of the French dramatic, richly atmospheric ballads of the 70s (it always reminded me of Joe Dassin's "L'Été Indien", even in strangely evoking a summer-y ambience) with an absolutely amazing arrangement and an excellent performance by 1973 winner Anne-Marie David. Excellent lyrics too, recounting the story of a passionate but condemned love affair. The soaring climax at the song's ending is, for me, one of the most emotionally powerful moments at the contest's history.

Yes, it's nearly impossible for me to talk about this song without starting to gush with praise... :-)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Eurovision
• Song
• Contest
• ESC
• 1979
• anne
• marie
• david
• je
• suis
• enfant
• soleil
• francais
• french
• jerusalem
• israel
• ballad

[NEDERLANDADDICT]

Wonderful ! What a performer with a great and beautiful voice, good story song and superb melody.

[ESCsince1968]

Our Tasos will be please that I would rate this song better than I ever did before (I know it should be in that genre of French ballads I adore), but to reiterate that Anne-Marie probably possesses one of the greatest voices ever heard at ESC.

[Septimanien]

ça c'est de la chanson !

Bravo.

[hijodelrocio]

QUE GRANDE Y MAGNIFICA

[hardyfh1]

The song asks too much of the audience for success in Eurovision, but its qualities become apparent with repeated listens, always a sign of a good song. It's strong material, well handled. We can appreciate it in retrospect, though. It would certainly make my listen of the best ever Eurovision entries. And Anne-Marie David is always good value. I like the way she wraps her voice around a lyric. She is very stylish, too.

[lostintrivia]

Great song, found it by chance. The problem is that it is just not quite 'immediate' enough for Eurovision. If you listen to the 1973 Song Contest (which Anne-Marie David won when representing Luxembourg) the Spanish entry 'Eres Tu' falls in the same category.

[dimgwalltameiben]

when someone has reprented one country they shouldn't be allowed to represent another, any way that's my opinion

Quand quelqu'une a réprésenté un pays on ne devrait pas avoir le droit de le refaire avec un autre, enfin c'est mon avis

[LCScampi]

Wow - first time I've heard that. Reminds me strongly of "Cloudbusting", although musically it's entirely different of course...

[francisnancy54]

My favourite from 1979... and from all the 1970s.

For me, the best song France has ever sent to ESC!!!

[GiaMaas76]

a nice song indeed, far away from eurovision standards

[ronansex]

the best song ever !!!!

[escbelgium1]

One of the few performances I can watch again and again and still get those goosebumps, exactly the same as when I saw it for the first time. Perfect, in every way. A true masterpiece.