France 2 has announced this morning that Lisa Angell will represent France at Eurovision 2015 with the song “N’oubliez pas” (“Don’t Forget” or “Remember”). The song was written in November, around the time of Armistice Day, but has taken on renewed significance in the wake of the recent attacks in Paris. We shouldn’t forget the tragedy, she says, but we should also remember the good times that came before: “I remember the laughter of children, the voice of men when they went to the fields, harvest festivals, the smell in homes, love and joy laughter. I’m here, do not forget.”

Robert Goldman, the brother of Jean-Jaques Goldman, wrote the song. Jean-Jaques is France’s second-highest-grossing pop-rock singer still living (after Johnny Hallyday). Hopefully his genius for popular music rubbed off on Robert.

Listen to a snippet of “N’oubliez pas” here.

A longer version is also on SoundCloud.

France 2 announced the news this morning via Facebook.

 

Lisa followed up with a Facebook confirmation of her own, writing: “I have the great pleasure to inform you that I will represent France at Eurovision on 23 May next year in Vienna. I am proud and happy! I kiss you.”

Who is Lisa Angell?

Yes, her last name does have two Ls: Lisa’s father is Italian. Born in Paris, she started winning singing contests at the Nice Carnival at the age of 11. That encouraged her to study voice at the Nice Conservatory from the age of 15. Years later she found herself performing along the French Riviera, turning herself into the Queen of the Piano Bar. After appearances on the popular French programs Le Château des secrets and Le Plus Grand Cabaret du monde, she landed a record deal with Polydor. She’s released three albums: Les Divines, Des mots, and Frou-Frou. The first two reached #31 and #30 on the French charts.

Here she is singing live and showing all y’all the meaning of pitch-perfect:

And here she is showing off some Old World style in the video for “J’ai deux amours”. It’s from her latest album “Frou Frou.”

Follow all of our France Eurovision news here.

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my website
8 years ago

Hi, the whole thing is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s in fact good, keep up writing.

ALDONA/POLAND
8 years ago

PI?KNA PIOSENKA NA POZIOMIE INTERWIZJI,K?ADZIE WI?KSZO??,MOJE UZNANIE

Just being honest
Just being honest
9 years ago

Last year, I did read some people in France wanted Ma Liberte to win because it was a strong ballad and a serious entry. I guess their prayers have been answered through this song. Just needs a proper staging(not to extravagant, but simple like Common Linnets’ in 2014) and it might get some televotes for memorability.

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Nick
Nick
9 years ago

France’s entry is currently my number 3 (behind Malta and Georgia), and although it may not be what everyone considers ‘modern’, this is still probably France’s best shot in a while!

An above-average song and (probably) many sympathy votes from the recent attacks will hopefully give France a spot in the top 15!

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

I feel so sad about all those means comment. Why can’t you just respect the country’s choice instead of saying it’s crap or stuff like that. Last year I loved Armenia because the song was original and no one ever did something like this. Now France is sending a typical french song, that’s great, they show what typical French songs are like and I find it awesome. I wish them a top 10 !!!

Pastora Soler haha!
Pastora Soler haha!
9 years ago

1. Malta // ESTONIA (goodbye to yesterday)
2. Georgia
3. The Netherlands

4. Belarus
5. Macedonia
6. France
7. Albania

Pastora Soler haha!
Pastora Soler haha!
9 years ago

Boooooooooooooooooooring

Another bottom for France again.

I’m very dissapointed with this choice. You need a change, a good singer with a GOOD song.

Noah
Noah
9 years ago

@Random.sage2.0, I assume you made your comment based on my comment. You should read more comments, though.

The ones that like Belarus & Macedonia are the minority here. 😛 Very tiny minority.

David Thielen
9 years ago

This is really good. It’s deep and grabs you without you realizing it at first. Colud be in the top 10 if the fine tune and present it right.

the truth
the truth
9 years ago

Seriously people… Are you kidding me? Dated, boring and old fashioned? How old are you? This is the best french song in years! BTW, this is not a beauty contest, it’s a song contest and I’m glad that France is literally back to the game.

DJ
DJ
9 years ago

All of the hate for this song is somewhat unfair, I listened to it today and actually was pleasantly surprised. Now it may not seem like a winner, but I rate it well above other entries that have sent mediocre pop entries. Sometimes variety is good, and since this is going to be the 60th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, its nice to see a country going back to its roots. Wish you all the best France 🙂

Random.sage2.0
Random.sage2.0
9 years ago

Off topic: Why all the hate for Albania? Dani’s voice rocked that NF? And all this love for two filler song, FYR Macedonia and Belarus? They’re not Ukraine and they’re not improving the songs!

Grifit
Grifit
9 years ago

Really? You don’t like it? I mean it is not winner material but it is beautiful… Eurofans are getting really tacky

Me...Lucy
9 years ago

1) still Macedonia
2) Georgia
3) Malta
4) Belarus
5) Netherlands
6) Albania
7) France

Me...Lucy
9 years ago

This will fail so badly but I’m not even sorry. Old singer + boring song = 0 points ma petite croissants

Noah
Noah
9 years ago

Also, I don’t understand how I am among the few who actually like both Belarus & Macedonia’s entries. What’s wrong with your taste people? Those two are radio-ready songs. 🙂 Everything else is really dull and dull.

PP
PP
9 years ago

I hope they will try to send canandian born singer Garou at Eurovision 2016 .
For me TOP 7
1.Malta
2.The Netherlands
3.Albania
4.Georgia
5.France
6.Belarus
7.F.Y.R. Macedonia

eurana
eurana
9 years ago

Sorry France. It’s not a type of song to send to Eurovision. I respect the moment in the country, but, it’s not a winner song this year.
1- Malta
2 – FYR of Macedonia (I am the few who like this song,)
3 – Netherlands
4 – Georgia
5 – Belarus
6 – France
7 – Albania

Noah
Noah
9 years ago

Dear France,

what the heck are you doin’? Literally, what the heck are you doin’???

Oh, nevermind, who’s for a coffee/tea/cookies/toilet break when this song airs?

Ani
Ani
9 years ago

Firstly I want to thank the author of lyrics, secondly to Lisa for amazing performance… and thirdly to France and all the French people who stood by our side no matter when and where! The fact that this song has some elements from our past is obvious ! THANK YOU FRANCE 12 points from Armenia …. #NeverForget #Noublezpa

RiaNL
RiaNL
9 years ago

I love this song very much !!! Good choice France !! Bon Chance !!! I will vote for it !!!

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

seriously after the news that France 2 is taking over Eurovision in France everyone expected a popular name or a young artist and instead we got an unknown singer (who is talented yes but she does not look good on camera) and a dated ballad. I like the song but it’s dated. Sounds like the ballads France used to send 15 years ago. I’m disappointed to be honest because i had higher expectations but i think it will work for France. The last time France sent a ballad was back in 2009 but Patricia’s name brought France to top 10.… Read more »

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Also, regarding that ending, there is plenty of time for song revision – remember Patricia Kaas’s ballad was changed before ESC actually happened.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

What??? You guys weren’t moved by this? Maybe too many of the comments were reacting to a small sample.

This is easily the best song so far. I heard this and I thought “winner” (and for those who think it won’t do well, never underestimate the power of sympathy votes)… the first song France has had a chance to win with in more than a decade excepting perhaps Sognu. The very end is perhaps a little unconvincing but the rest certainly is not.

Erin
Erin
9 years ago

I salute France2 for bringing back the vision to Eurovision, where the song matters more than the circus, where the singer takes center stage and not the stage props, where ageism is not an issue and where old-fashion doesn’t stay out of fashion. This is not an instant attraction, but it is a tour-de-force act with compassion, conviction and pitch perfect vocals. The only downside is that it could have had a better climatic ending than it actually has. In many ways, it echoes France’s 2002 entry ‘Il faut du Temps’ in several ways, although it would be fair to… Read more »

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

1.Macedonia
2.Georgia
3.Belarus
4.France
5.Albania
6.Netherlands
7.Malta

JESCGermany15
JESCGermany15
9 years ago

France…I’m very dissapointed! France will be last place this year like last year! I think their song sound like an 60s typical french song! So if France withdraw in 2016, I’m not very dissapointed! They send bad songs and nobody watch ESC in France! I like the french entries from 2010 and 2013 but the rest is not my music style! I think France need a modern song which will be sing in English! I’m very dissapointed because I thought that France2 send a good song to Vienna but they don’t do! I think France don’t deserve the Final this… Read more »

dennis
dennis
9 years ago

France surprised me, this song is really not that bad!

Farron
Farron
9 years ago

Somewhat bland and boring, but with the right staging and a great voice on stage this could do fairly well.

LucyEAPercy
9 years ago

Erm…mimi…france is part of the big 5…it WILL be in the final haha

LucyEAPercy
9 years ago

So…

1. Netherlands
2. Malta
3. Albania
4. Belarus
5. Georgia
6. Macedonia
7. France

Mimi
Mimi
9 years ago

This literally put me to sleep…… Last place in the final if it even makes it that far. And why is every slow song being compared to The Common Linnets? Just stop…Even with good staging this will still be terrible.

LucyEAPercy
9 years ago

Move over Macedonia, most people have a new least favourite. Wow, that was dull. The worst French entry for absolutely years. At least Patricia Kaas was well known, this lady got albums at like #30?! So what? Eurovision is heading in the direction of being modern, there are such things as modern and yet still tasteful ballads. Really unimpressed. The Big 5 should put in extra effort, as we have to do more to be remembered, because of not being in the semis. This is so forgetful, will be near last again. I know what happened is awful in France,… Read more »

Denise
Denise
9 years ago

It is a good song, but it will be in the second half of the scoreboard!
My top:
1.Malta
2.Belarus
3.Albania
4.France
5.Macedonia
6.The Netherlands
7.Georgia

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

At first I was like UGH, thinking up things to say like “welcome to the bottom of the scoreboard!” But then I grew to like it….

1) the Netherlands
2 ) FYR Macedonia
3 ) Malta
4 ) France
5) Georgia
6) Belarus
7) Albania

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
9 years ago

I have listened to the full song but I can’t rate it because I drifted off. 
Poor France, I don’t know what they can do. They have entered great songs recently but received low points. I can’t see this song getting anything but sympathy votes. I guess if I could understand the lyrics, it would have a greater impact. I hope the song grows on me but right now this sounds like the toilet break song.

spartan
spartan
9 years ago

Its a beautifull son but its “un peu” boring

DR
DR
9 years ago

I love the song. I’ve loved all of their songs since the amazing Patricia Kass of ’09. They haven’t disappointed me. I love how it slowly builds to a crescendo. Her voice is beautiful and so is the language. The drums at the end remind me of the revolution and the songs from the French musical 1789: Les Amants de la Bastile. It’s so French. Je ne l’oublierai pas.

cheesecake
cheesecake
9 years ago

This will need some good staging and a strong vocal performance to do well in Vienna.
It’s a very nice song, a bit boring though.

Calum Macleod
Calum Macleod
9 years ago

I find this song good! Just the kind of song France needs to get back on their feet.

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

I actually quite like it.

Nott
Nott
9 years ago

I’m slowly growing to like this one, it’s quite nice but, to tell the truth, I expected a bit more from France.

Paul D
Paul D
9 years ago

I’m in love with this song already, it’s beautiful… much MUCH better than last year

Raul
Raul
9 years ago

I really like this song. Ok old fashioned ? yes, but very very beautiful and full of meaning…. Now, Georgia dropped to my second place… Vive la chanson française, et vive la liberté….

Solana
Solana
9 years ago

I love it! I don’t know what are you talking about… This is nothing like last year’s crappy song and that’s why I really appreciate it. Hopefully It will do it well with the jury at least.

Deniz@TurkNL
Deniz@TurkNL
9 years ago

Probably a darkhorse, I really hope France will get a good position and keep trying.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
9 years ago

I found the full song elsewhere, I think you have to give it a few listens to let it grow on you. I like it, the snippet doesn’t do it justice. It’s mainly a slow song, not a winner, but if it performs along the 2nd half of the Final, it could do well.

Mika
Mika
9 years ago

Last year, I believed in France. I think most people did. Europe failed them. This year, to compensate, they show us what real shit is, to prove that Twin Twin was so much better.

Mr. Abbott
Mr. Abbott
9 years ago

I don’t like it… It’s a boring song, a sad ballad. This isn’t a winning song.
But I must to say she has a great voice and looks very professional… Maybe it get lucky with the jury voting.