Étienne (song)

"Étienne"
Single by Guesch Patti
from the album Labyrinthe
Released 1987
Format 7" single, 12" maxi
Recorded France
Genre Pop, rock
Length 4:07
Label EMI
Writer(s) Guesch Patti
Vincent Bruley
Producer(s) Jean M'Ba
R. Walter
Certification Gold SNEP, 1988
Guesch Patti singles chronology
"Étienne"
(1987)		 "Let Me Must the Queen"
(1988)

"Étienne" is a 1987 song recorded by French artist Guesch Patti, from her album, Labyrinthe. It was released as her debut single in late 1987 in several European countries. Particularly famous for its suggestive music video which was censored on certain TV channels, the song was a great success in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany where it was a top ten hit.

Lyrics, music and video

The song was written by Guesch Patti and Vincent Bruley.

According to the French Charts expert Elia Habib, the success of this song results from an alchemy between several of its components : "the voice of Guesch Patti in first, which makes a success of an interpretation very provocative of the song, alternating sensual moanings and passionate shouts ; the text of course, is full of suggestive sonorities ; the music, which play a large part in the success of the song in the production of the text, since the feline rhythmic of the intro until the nervous chord of the electrical guitar, and the videoclip, which is of an erotic esthetism carried by an arousing choreography".[1]

The video clip, in which Patti carries out a striptease in front of some men, was censored on several French TV channels (but not on Canal +) and on MTV Europe,[2] and only broadcast on evening.

Chart performances and awards

"Étienne" won the Vincent Scotto prize in 1987 and was certified Gold Disc in 1988 by the French certifier SNEP for a minimum of 500,000 sold copies.[3] Infodisc Website estimates it is the 385th best-selling single of all time in France.[4]

The single remained on French Top 50 Singles Chart for 23 weeks from 14 November 1987 to 16 April 1988, and peaked at number one for the five chart editions of January.[5]

It also was number three in Switzerland and number six in Austria.

Cover versions

The song was performed by Brigitte Fortin, Laurent's mother, in the French TV reality show "Mon Incroyable Fiancé".

It was covered by Quentin Mosimann, winner of Star Academy 7, in a swing version, on his debut album Duel.[6]

Formats and track listings

7" single

A-side :

  1. "Étienne" — 4:09

B-side :

  1. "Un Espoir" — 4:00
12" maxi

A-side :

  1. "Étienne" (remix club) — 5:39

B-side :

  1. "Étienne" (original version) — 4:09
  2. "Étienne" (English version) — 4:09
12" maxi - U.S.

A-side :

  1. "Étienne" (12" vocal) — 6:55
  2. "Étienne" (a cappella) — 4:12

B-side :

  1. "Étienne" (album cut) — 4:14
  2. "Étienne" (instrumental) — 4:26

Charts and sales

Peak positions

Chart (1987–1988) Peak
position
Austrian Singles Chart[7] 6
Dutch Singles Chart 29
Eurochart Hot 100 5
French SNEP Singles Chart[5] 1
German Singles Chart[8] 9
Italian Singles Chart 1
Swiss Singles Chart[9] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (1988) Position
Austrian Singles Chart[10] 18
Swiss Singles Chart[11] 24

Certifications

Country Certification Date Sales certified Physical sales
France Gold[3] 1988 500,000 601,000[12]

Chart successions

Preceded by
"La Bamba" by Los Lobos		 French SNEP number one single
2 January 1988 - 30 January 1988 (5 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Boys (Summertime Love)" by Sabrina

References

  1. ↑ Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 120 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
  2. ↑ "La Discothèque du 20è siècle", 1988, Polygram Dierct, p. 14
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Guesch Patti's certifications Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved December 11, 2007)
  4. ↑ Best selling single of all time in France Infodisc.fr (Retrieved December 11, 2007)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Étienne", French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved December 11, 2007)
  6. ↑ Duel, Quentin Mosimann, track listing and charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved September 6, 2008)
  7. ↑ "Étienne", Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved December 11, 2007)
  8. ↑ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved March 18, 2008)
  9. ↑ "Étienne", Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved December 11, 2007)
  10. ↑ 1988 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved September 5, 2008)
  11. ↑ 1988 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch (Retrieved September 5, 2008)
  12. ↑ Certifications Guesch Patti singles Infodisc.fr (Retrieved December 11, 2007)