Nicki French
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Nicki French (September 26, 1964[1]) is a female singer and dancer who was born in Carlisle, Cumbria, England but raised from the age of four in Tenterden, Kent, England. She is best known for her 1995 dance cover version of Total Eclipse of the Heart and for representing the United Kingdom in 2000 at Eurovision in Stockholm.
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[edit] Career
French had been a session singer for many years before she covered "Total Eclipse of the Heart", a song made famous by Bonnie Tyler. Her single was first released in 1994 in the United Kingdom. When it was re-released in 1995 the song reached no. 5 during a 3 month chart run, selling over 250,000 (UK) copies in the process and earning a silver sales award and well as becoming her record label's, Love This, biggest chart success.
This was followed by even more successful chart run in the United States, where the track reached #2 and spent 6 months on the Billboard Hot 100 music charts. The single also reached number 1 in seven countries - Australia, Japan, Canada, Israel, Spain, Hong Kong and Brazil, as well as charting in Germany, Italy, Mexico, The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. She went onto win a record breaking 3 awards at the 'Dance Music Rasberry Authority Magazine Awards' in the USA - Single Of The Year (Total Eclipse of the Heart), Newcomer and Female Vocalist Of The Year.
Her second single "For All We Know", a cover version of The Carpenters' reached 42 in the UK singles chart due to poor distribution and a barcode error.The track was due to be released in America but due to a dispute between record companies only made it as far as a promo release. Her debut album, Secrets, charted in Japan, Brazil, Israel, Asia, USA (Selling 50.000 copies during its first week on sale!), Canada and Australia selling extremely well due to the success of her debut single. The album did not gain a UK release. Further singles from the album included "Is There Anybody Out There?", "Did You Ever Really Love Me?" (both of which briefly charted in the UK but did not chart the Top 40) and "Never In A Million Years" (which was released in Denmark and Sweden only). "Did You Ever Really Love Me?" was released Stateside and remains on some dance music stations' databases.
Various other songs were added to formats around the world, including renditions of "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and "Stop In The Name Of Love". French was her record company 'Love This' biggest artist but due to them achieving limited success with their other acts they went into liquidation.
Nicki was then signed by Logic Records UK (part of the Sony/BMG group, during which time she released 'Te Amo' in various countries. In Brazil it reached Number.4 becoming French's 5th consecutive Top.10 in the airplay charts. Again, the single did not gain a UK release.
In 1998 she released her second album and success in Japan and Taiwan but was eventually dropped by her record label after management reconstructing.
In 2000 she entered the Eurovision Song Contest with "Don't Play That Song Again", the song being selected by members of the British public. She was then signed up by RCA records, the track reached number 34 in the UK charts. French finished in 16th place, at the time the lowest placing for any UK act. She insists even now that she still looks back on this time with extremely fond memories and would love to enter the contest again.
French signed to Jim Steinman's 'Ravenous Records' label for a short period in 2000 during which time she recorded 'Lovers Again' and '2 Out Of 3 Ain't Bad' both of which were never released. Nicki later went on to record 3 tracks with the writer of her Eurovision smash hit Gerry Springate, those covers of past Eurovision hits was due to be released as an EP and was even put up for sale on EBay and the tracks available for download, but due to Nicki being unhappy with the final mixes, the record got pulled.
French continues to tour the UK and Europe, performing her hits as well as new material. She more recently released two singles, "I Surrender" in 2004 and "Calling Out My Name" in 2005. "I Surrender", a dance cover of Celine Dion's hit single peaked at #1 on one U.S. based dance chart. It charted on the "EuroNRG Top 40" chart on eurodancehits.com, in February 2005 due to its popularity with nightclub DJ's. Her latest release Nicki French Vs Diva DJs 'Total Eclipse of the Heart 2006' only reached an overall UK chart position of #168.
French has retained her large Gay following and has headlined some of the biggest Pride shows in recent years including EuroPride, Stockholm Pride and the world's biggest Pride event Australia's 'Mardi Gras'.
In 2003, French was one of nine contestants on a special Eurovision edition of BBC Television's The Weakest Link. Joining Sonia, Lyn Paul, James Fox, Katie Boyle, Bobby Gee, Jessica Garlick, Katrina Leskanich and Jemini on the show hosted by Anne Robinson, French won the event and was declared 'The Strongest Link'. In fact, French had been a last minute substitute for original guest Gina G who had to drop out of the show when she went in to labour.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 1995 Secrets (Love This Records), UK N.C., USA Billboard 200 #151, Heatseekers #3.
- 1997 Total Eclipse of the Heart (Japanese version of Secrets with extra tracks)
- 1998 French Revolution (Cutting Edge Records/Avex)
- 2000 12" Essentials (CD-Maximum/Russian Promo Mix CD)
[edit] Singles
- Dirty Den (Released under the name "Whiskey and Sofa")
1980 Unknown Label
- You'll Be Sorry (Released under the name "The French Connection")
1993 Solar System Records
1994 Bags Of Fun Records
1995 Love This Records
1995 Love This Records
- Did You Ever Really Love Me
1995 Love This Records
- Is There Anybody Out There?
1995 Love This Records
1995 Shock/Central Station Records
- Te Amo
1997 Logic Records
- Don't Play That Song Again
2000 RCA/Ravenous Records
- I Surrender
2004 Triad Records
- Calling Out My Name
2005 Klone
- Total Eclipse of the Heart 2006 (Released under the name "Diva Dj's Vs Nicki French")
2006 Energise Records
[edit] Other Releases
- Private Dancer (for Gayfest Album 2005)
Klone Records
- When You Walk in the Room (On Euro2000 Album as Paris)
Dominion Records
- The One And Only (On Euro2000 Album as Paris)
Dominion Records
- Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (On Euro2000 Album as Paris)
Dominion Records
- Rocking Around The Christmas Tree (Only available on vinyl and dance compilations)
[edit] Trivia
- The promotional 12" record of "Te Amo" was released under the alias of 'Kinki'.
- The promotion two track single for Total Eclipse of the Heart 2005 (later released at the 2006 mixes) was sent out under the title 'Starlet Djs Vs Kinki'.
- French provided backing vocals on Rose-Marie's 1992 album 'Emotional Exposure'.
- French achieved seven Number 1 chart positions around the world with her version of the track and sold in excess of 5 million copies
[edit] Total Eclipse of the Heart original chart positions
- Hong Kong #1
- Australia #2[2]
- Israel #1
- Spain #1
- Canada #1
- Japan #1
- Brazil #1
- USA #2
- United Kingdom #5
- The Netherlands #10
- Ireland #15
- Germany #65
[edit] External links
- - Official Web Site
- [3] The web-site says to check back in April 2008 for a new look site, but now 19th May 2008 still not revamped.REVAMP STILL IN PROGRESS!
- Nicki French entry at All Music Guide
| Preceded by Precious |
UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 |
Succeeded by Lindsay Dracass |
