Flash (Stéphanie song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Flash”
“Flash” cover
Single by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
from the album Besoin
B-side "Le Sega mauricien"
Released October, 1986
(French version)
December, 1986
(English version)
Format 7" single
12" maxi
Recorded France, 1986
Genre Pop
Length 4:20 (single)
5:48 (album)
Label Carrere
Writer(s) Romano Musumarra
Roberto Zanelli
Michel Jouveaux
Carol Welsman (English version)
Producer Romano Musumarra
Certification Silver France, 1986
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco singles chronology
"Ouragan"
(1986)		 "Flash"
(1986)		 "Fleurs du mal (à Paul)"
(1987)
Alternate cover
"One Love to Give"
"One Love to Give"

"Flash" is a 1986 song recorded by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco. It was the second single of her first album, Besoin. Released at the end of 1986, it was a hit in several countries, including Sweden where it reached #1 on the chart.

Contents

[edit] Background, release and music video

After the success of her debut single "Ouragan" in 1986 spring (#1 in France), Stéphanie decided to continue her musical career releasing an album, Besoin, which achieved a great success on the French Albums Chart (#6, certified Gold disc)[1], and a second single, "Flash", whose single version was shorter than that of the album. This new song was eagerly anticipated by the public who wanted to see if the princess would be able to reproduce the same success in terms of sales and charting.[2]

As for "Ouragan", Romano Musumarra, a famous composer in the 1980s, participated in the writing and the prodution of the song, helped by Roberto Zanelli and Michel Jouveaux who also composed the music, which is very melodious.

The song was also recorded in English-language in order to be released, about two months after the original version, in the anglophone countries, being re-entitled "One Love to Give". It was not just a translation : indeed, lyrics are different. Carol Welsman replaced Michel Jouveaux in the composition of the text and the music. The French and English versions are included on the album Besoin as the 9th and 14th tracks ("One Love to Give" features in an extended version which lasts 7:30 with a long musical introduction).[3]

The music video begins with the mention : "Les fantômes existent encore, Stéphanie n'y croyait pas, et pourtant..." In it, Stéphanie has an androginous look, performing the song in a castle, along with her friend Gérard Blanc - a French singer who had a great success in 1987 with "Une Autre Histoire" (#2 in France) -, who also appears playing the guitar.

[edit] Chart performances

The song was a hit in France, but achieved a moderate success in comparison of "Ouragan". It went straight to number 6 on October 18, 1986, and reached it peak position, #4, in its fourth and fifth week on the chart. However, the single stayed for only nine weeks in the top ten and 15 weeks in the top 50.[4] It was certified Silver disc by the SNEP, the Franch certificator, for at least 200,000 sales.[1] According to Infodisc website, "Flash" is the 721th best-selling singles of all time in France.[5]

The single also featured on the Swiss Singles Chart, but for only one week, at #28, on October 26, 1986.[6]

In the English version, the song had a huge success in Sweden. It debuted at #9 on the Swedish Singles Chart on December 17, 1986, before climbing to #1, where it remained for one month.[7]

[edit] Track listings

7" single
  1. "Flash" — 4:20
  2. "Le Sega mauricien" — 4:30
12" maxi
  1. "Flash" (remix) — 7:50
  2. "Le Sega mauricien" (remix) — 4:25
7" single (English version)
  1. "One Love to Give" — 4:20
  2. "Le Sega mauricien" — 4:20
12" maxi (English version)
  1. "One Love to Give" (remix) — 7:29
  2. "Flash — 4:18
  3. "Le Sega mauricien" — 4:22

[edit] Charts, certifications and sales

Chart (1986-1987) Peak
position
French Singles Chart[4] 4
Swedish Singles Chart[7] 1
Swiss Singles Chart1 [6] 28

1 "One Love to Give" (English version)
Country Certification Date Sales
France[1] Silver 1986 441,000[8]
Preceded by
"The Way You Are" by Agnetha Fältskog and Ola Håkansson		 Swedish number-one single
January 14, 1987 - January 28, 1987		 Succeeded by
"Caravan of Love" by The Housemartins

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c French certifications Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved April 23, 2008)
  2. ^ Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 87,88 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
  3. ^ Besoin, track listing Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 23, 2008)
  4. ^ a b "Flash", in French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 23, 2008)
  5. ^ Best-selling singles of all time in France Infodisc.fr (Retrieved April 23, 2008)
  6. ^ a b "Flash", in Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved April 23, 2008)
  7. ^ a b "One Love to Give", in Swedish Singles Chart Swedishcharts.com (Retrieved April 23, 2008)
  8. ^ Stéphanie's sales in France Infodic.fr (Retrieved April 23, 2008)