La Zoubida

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“La Zoubida”
“La Zoubida” cover
Single by Lagaf'
from the album Le Lavabo
Released 1990
Format CD Single
12" maxi
Recorded 1991
Genre Pop
Length 3:55
Writer(s) Dirtri
Producer Dirtri
Certification Platinum France, 1991
Lagaf' singles chronology
"Bo le lavabo (WC Kiss)"
(1990)		 "La Zoubida"
(1991)		 "Je veux des vacances"
(1993)

"La Zoubida" is a 1991 novelty song recorded by the French TV presenter and humorist Lagaf'. It was the second single from his album Le Lavabo.

Contents

[edit] Lyrics and music

In a humorous style, the song tells the story of a young North African girl called Zoubida, who lives in Barbès, whose parents have forbidden her to go dancing. However, the girl was saved by her friend Mokthar. But as he is a robber of scooters, the two youths people eventually end the night at the police station. These dubious clichés have earned to the song some criticism[1].

As for the music, the melody is repetitive and every sentence is echoed in the vocals[1]. The music uses a sample of "Sur le pont de Nantes".

The song was parodied by Les Inconnus. In the video, Didier Bourdon performs the song in a bed, on the music of "Boys don't Cry" by The Cure.[2]

[edit] Chart performances

In France, the single debuted at number 24 on June 1, 1991, on the French SNEP Singles Chart (Top 50). It climbed quickly every week the chart and eventually reached #1, on July 20. It remained for eleven not successive weeks at the top of the chart and remained in the top 10 for a total of 24 weeks. It left the Top 50 on January 25, 1992, after its 34th week (it was thus the longest running for a single in 1991). The single was certified Platinum disc by the SNEP, the French certificator, for more than 500,000 copies sold[3].

According to the Infodisc website, 625,000 copies of the single were sold[4], and "La Zoubida" is the 351th best-selling single of all time in France[5].

[edit] Formats and track listings

CD-Single
  1. "La Zoubida" (3:55)
  2. "La Zoubida" (Aziz House Version) (8:02)
12"-Maxi
  1. "La Zoubida" (3:55)
  2. "La Zoubida" (Instrumental) (3:55)
  3. "La Zoubida" (Aziz House Version) (8:02)

[edit] Chart

Chart (1991) Peak
position
French Singles Chart[6] 1 (11)
Annual Chart (1991) Position
French Singles Chart 1
Country Certification Sales/shipments
France Platinum[3] 625,000[4]
Preceded by
"Auteuil, Neuilly, Passy (rap BCBG)" by Les Inconnus		 French (SNEP) number one single (first run)
July 20, 1991		 Succeeded by
"Auteuil, Neuilly, Passy (rap BCBG)" by Les Inconnus
Preceded by
"Auteuil, Neuilly, Passy (rap BCBG)" by Les Inconnus		 French (SNEP) number one single (second run)
August 3, 1991 - October 5, 1991		 Succeeded by
"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, 2002, p. 214 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
  2. ^ Nos années Top, clips et 45 tours : 1984-1991, Marc Lemonier, 2008, p. 103 (ISBN 225807648X)
  3. ^ a b Certifications of Lagaf's singles Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved February 8, 2008)
  4. ^ a b Certifications of Lagaf's singles Infodisc.fr (Retrieved December 26, 2007)
  5. ^ Best-selling singles of all time in FranceInfodisc.fr (Retrieved February 8, 2008)
  6. ^ "La Zoubida", French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved February 8, 2008)