C'est la ouate

"C'est la ouate"
Single by Caroline Loeb
from the album Loeb C.D.
B-side "And So What"
Released October 1986
1987 (remix)
Format 7" single
Recorded France, 1986
Genre Pop
Length 3:48
Label Barclay
Writer(s) Philippe Chany
Pierre Grillet
Caroline Loeb
Producer(s) Philippe Chany
Caroline Loeb singles chronology
"Malibu"
(1983)
"C'est la ouate"
(1986)
"À quoi tu penses ?"
(1987)

"C'est la ouate" is a pop song recorded by French artist Caroline Loeb. It was the first single from her album Loeb C.D. and her second single overall. It was released in late 1986 and published by Barclay editions. It became a big hit in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Argentina where it became a top ten hit, and was covered by many artists throughout the years.

History

This song, which has words of "a derisive and light genre", "is crossed in the field of the classics".[1] French-born singer Amina Annabi and humorist Dominique Farrugia are among the singers who performed the background vocals. There are a 3:48 edit version, a 5:32 extended version and an instrumental version entitled "Lazy dub". The B-side of the vinyl, "And So What", is an adaptation in English-language by Caroline Loeb. The music video, directed by Philippe Gautier, shows model and painter Anh Duong among the dancers. A few months after the original release, in August 1987, the singer recorded a remixed version of her song which was charted in the Netherlands, but she took the pseudonym of Carol'in.

In 1987, when French journalist Yves Mourousi asked President François Mitterrand about what songs he knew, the latter replied : "C'est la ouate".[2] Arie Elmaleh performed a transformative show on the playback of the song in the 2003 film Chouchou by Merzak Allouache. Since 2004, French mutual MAAF uses the song as its jingle advertising, becoming French favorite ad in 2005.

Cover versions and parodies

The song has been covered by many artists, including French host Sophie Favier in 1996, a South African Dj&Vj Ike Therry in 1997 one of the Top Worldwide Dj's of the 90's (collaboration with 2pac Tupak Shakur etc)..Caroline Loeb she was acting in the Video with Ike Therry.., Star Academy 2 in 2002 (released as a promo CD single), Quaffe (Germany),[3] Vik 20 and Elena for the compilation French Trance vol. 1[4] in 2003, Deldongo in 2005 and available digitally,[5] Bamby and the dogs, Gennaro Cosmo Parlato on the album Remainders[6] (Italy), Pornois, Biba Binoche (Belgium) and Mastercuts (U.S.) in 2006, Elio Riso,[2] Giori (available digitally)[7] and La Prohibida[8] (Spain) in 2007, Quentin Mosimann on his debut album Duel,[9] Carpacho and Yuyu in 2008.

The song was parodied by André Lamy in 1987 under the title "C'est la droite" on his album Public n°1,[10] by Nadjim Lala in 1987 ("C'est l'kawa't")[11] and by Parolix in 2007 (title : "C'est les maths").

Chart performances

In France, the single debuted at #37 on December 20, 1986, climbed quickly and finally hit #5 in its eighth week. It totaled six weeks in the top ten and 18 weeks on the chart (top 50). In Austria, the single was charted for two weeks at #30 on October 1, 1987.[12] The single reached #1 in Italy, #3 in Spain and #10 in Germany. According to the SACEM, the song was also ranked in Argentinian chart.[13][14]

Track listings

7" single
  1. "C'est la ouate" – 3:48
  2. "And So What" – 3:48
7" single - Remixes
  1. "C'est la ouate" (remix) – 4:00
  2. "Comme un papillon" – 4:18

Certifications

Country Certification Date Sales certified Physical sales
France[15] Silver 1987 250,000 301,000

Charts

Chart (1986/1987) Peak
position
Argentinian Singles Chart[13][14] 10
Austrian Singles Chart[12] 30
Dutch Mega Top 100[16] 1 32
French SNEP Singles Chart[12] 5
German Singles Chart[12] 10
Italian Singles Chart 1
Spanish Singles Chart 3

1 Remix

References

  1. Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, p. 95 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Elio Riso "C'est La Ouate" : reprise du hit de Caroline Loeb en 1986 ", Musique radio, January 1, 2007 Musiqueradio.com (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  3. Greatsong.net (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  4. French Trance vol. 1, track listings Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  5. Deldongo, "C'est la ouate", Charts in France Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  6. Gennaro Cosmo Parlato Virginmega.fr (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  7. Giori, Giori Fnac.com (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  8. La Prohibida, Flash, see "track listing" Cduniverses.com (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  9. Duel, track listings and charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  10. Public n°1, track listings Cedimho.be (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  11. Nadjim Lala's version, on Bide et musique Bide-et-musique.com (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "C'est la ouate", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  13. 13.0 13.1 Notes, revue de la Sacem N°154, 1999
  14. 14.0 14.1 "Caroline Loeb de retour en bacs et sur scène", Chartsinfrance, Thierry Cadet, March 7, 2009 Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved May 3, 2009)
  15. French certifications + sales See: "Les Ventes" => "Toutes les certifications depuis 1973" => "LOEB Caroline" Infodisc.fr (Retrieved April 28, 2009)
  16. "C'est la ouate" (remix), Dutch Mega Top 100 Dutchcharts.nl (Retrieved April 28, 2009)