Last year France experienced a revolution at Eurovision, with respected pop star Amir climbing all the way to sixth place and ending years of near-bottom finishes.
And today France Televisions made it clear it will keep the stellar performances coming by revealing that Alma will sing “Requiem” for France at Eurovision 2017.
As with Amir last year, they are kicking things off with the release of the radio version — not the final three-minute version — that will compete at Eurovision.
Merci @almaofficiel d’avoir accepté de représenter la France à l’#Eurovision 2017! Let the adventure begin! Love you! #Requiem #embrassemoi pic.twitter.com/ykNTmZ4zqZ
— Edoardo Grassi (@EdwardoGrassi) February 9, 2017
“I’m deeply honored to have been selected to represent my country, France, for this year’s Eurovision song contest,” Alma said in a statement sent to wiwibloggs. “I strongly hope to count on the public’s love and support and to deliver the best performance possible.”
France 2 says that “after a very competitive selection,” the committee “fell in love with Alma,” who was enthusiastic about participating.
She’ll give her first interview on France 2’s “Alcaline” at 20:40 this evening, and will share an excerpt of her state-of-the-art music video.
France 2 will welcome Alma tomorrow at the “Victoires de la Musique” (French Music Awards), where she will present a gong.
France’s Eurovision 2017 submission process
After getting their groove back with an impressive sixth-place finish in Stockholm, France received extra interest from artists for Eurovision 2017. Broadcaster France 2 revealed in December that they received around 300 entries from the public, vying to represent France at Eurovision.
Unlike in previous years where the broadcaster used closed internal selection, this year France 2 accepted entries from the public. Back in September, France 2 opened the public submission period. When contacted by French media, the broadcaster confirmed they had received “around 300” songs.
And like last year, the French broadcaster did some digging of their own, exploring potential options with established artists and record labels.
France at Eurovision
Despite winning the Eurovision Song Contest five times in the first 25 years, France’s luck took a turn for the worse in the 21st century.
They frequently ended up down the bottom of the scoreboard, and only managed one top-ten finish in the decade prior to 2016.
In 2014, Twin Twin’s funky and thought-provoking “Moustache” placed dead last, with its deux points giving France its worst score since the “12 points” system was introduced in 1975.
Lisa Angell failed to light up the scoreboards in 2015, though she did win over some of our hearts with her dramatic staging that raised a finger to terrorists.
But just one year later Amir charmed his way to sixth place with “J’ai cherché”. That marked France’s first time in the top ten since 2009 and their best result since 2002.
In love with this young lady and her song. It’s completely French..it’s romantic and edgy. Wish her good luck.
I wish her luck though because the song is, let’s say, pleasing to hear. With extensive singing lessons and a good staging the song can place somewhere around 7/8th place. Just my opinion obviously
I understand what you say, many fake, plastic celebrities are created like that, and even talented celebrities need that method to have new hits, but when it comes to ESC, I still think it is not predictable how viewers will vote.
Countries have tried, Patricia Kaas (France 2009), Andrew Lloyd Webber (UK 2009), and every country wants VERY much to win, even if they don’t admit.
This is my opinion, no country is really that indifferent as it tries to look.
@ an esc fan “Maybe they are too smart and they know that is not working that way”
France Television smart? Hmmmm…
Ff course it works like that. Take a great singer, a great songwriter, a great producer, mix it with good promo, and you have like 95% chance to be in the Top 5.
Add a little twist orcontroversy and bang you have the winner.
The problem is that French singers don’t want to step in because Eurovision in France is outdated. So unless you give them enough money to convince them they don’t come.
@ Thomas : ” if they would really want to win, they would put millions on the table and they would have an instant hit and probably win”
Maybe they are too smart and they know that is not working that way. Nobody can create an instant hit. Nobody. Period.
Maybe they know that this song is a train they can’t miss.
The song has like 0 chance to win. Poor vocals, no real chorus or melody and the lyrics are too “sophisticated” for Eurovision. But anyway, in my opinion France doesn’t want to win the contest. Otherwise they would convice (= pay) a great singer, the best musicians and songwriters, to create an instant Hit. But they don’t. They just want to place somewhere in the Top 10 to justify their presence in the Big 5 that’s all. France doesn’t want to host the contest either and doesn’t need to attract tourists to come to France. It’s too expensive, it requires… Read more »
Honestly, I prefer this to j’ai cherche! the production could be a bit less cluttered, but that’s my only complaint. I don’t think the lyrics are sophisticated like Blackbird, but they’re sweet. It’s the lovechild of j’ai cherche and loin d’cii
Not a fan of this! Amir was so much better last year. I can’t see this achieving many votes! Mario’s Eurovision 2017
https://eurovision2017blog.wordpress.com/
100% my taste! Before I heard it, I was like “Ugh, here we go again! Another dissapointing song from France.” And after I tapped that play button I was left shocked. It was sooooo amazing! I felt like I wrote that song, even though I dont understand French. My favourite! Now and till the end! Please keep it in French! In English, we will get bored. Please, I love your language and the song is a masterpiece. Dont ruin it
This could be better. She has a nice voice but the song is flat and sounds unoriginal. For me the best french entry is still Amir.
Top Big 5 for now:
1.UK
2.France
3.Germany
Spain in Italy traditionally send better songs so the top will change drastically
Why did song should in no damn circumstance be in English? a) It’s French … and we all know what French people think concerning their sense of ultra-patriotic-pride towards their culture and language. Anything in any other language (English mainly) is considered by many conservative voices quite offensive. b) Amir got away from it because he did what rarely Eurovision songwriters do … have a song done that was not thought for Eurovision and therefore owning a quality to it that was appealing and echoed the popularity it deserved and still does. Plus: rarely does a French song sounds remarkable… Read more »
God, I fell in love instantly with this song. After a bunch of mediocre song, finally we found something decent.
The song itself is dark and you can feel the feel but they package it not in ballad-ish theme. So smart!
12 pts from me~
omg i love it such a beautiful and free sprited song
Such a gorgeous song! The best so far.
I don’t know about the quality of other entries we will get to hear, but this deserves a high placing!
Alright, for those who want a translation, there you go 🙂 Some lovers come, some lovers go Time flies and fades away What you think is the end Is just a season, nothing more When you’re tired from wandering You will go and it’s OK Because the earth will still go round Even if we don’t anymore Kiss me, tell me you love me Make me smile in the middle of a requiem Kiss me, tell me you love me Make me dance until time takes back What it gave us One year, two years, a century of happiness Then… Read more »
OMG could people stop praising this song simply because it is the French entry. It is strange and bland… The singer is not really good either… This song will place 15th maximum…
We all know it.
I had a strange dream last year in December and in that dream, I had a vision of who would represent France at Eurovision. The name of the person also started with the letter ‘A’.
No English translation ffs
What a weird production! Still it has some attraction attached to that fact. She sounds Turkish somehow, especially in the chorus. She needs to be supertight on the notes to pull this as it will easily sound out of tune. My guess this was recorded in a TV studio by professionals not in the record industry. Once we get a proper studio recording it going to be easier to judge.
@raul
I think they’re trying to be pretty radio friendly with this one. It’s just not working. As a Dutchman, I’m quite used to French language music (Stromae is probably bigger here than in any other non-Francophone country, and we love us some Jacques Brel) so the language is not the problem. In fact, knowing the language makes me understand the rather stupid lyrics 😉
Raul, you nailed it.
Definitely my favourite so far
You guys are frustrating me! Why keep it in French if you know it’s going to lose?! Please, please, please change it to English! We need to understand what she’s singing about. Otherwise, I just don’t get it. It sounds like three minutes of nothing.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!
good luck France
I like it for sure. But the audio quality on the Youtube clip gives me pause – it sounds like everything was put through a lousy compression.
THE BEST SONG THIS YEAR UNTIL NOW 5:12 PM (UNITED STATES TIME)
I DONT UNDERSTAND A WORD WHAT SHE IS SINGING BUT ,SHE HAS GOOD VIBES, AND FINALLY SOMEONE WITH A HAPPY SONG
I can’t decide if I like it or not… It sounds weird, but not in a good way. It wants to be catchy but doesn’t really get there. It’s not super bad but…
Nothing good for France this year.
Love love LOVE it!! It does that tricky thing where it’s smooth and spiky at the same time. I sort of don’t care how it scores, I’m just so happy we have this song in the contest. Remember the early criticism of J’ai Cherche last year – too monotone, not enough dynamics. And how they punched it up beautifully for the contest version. This song will get a similar punch-up, and I actually think a lot of people will respond to the freshness of it and vote for it. I selfishly would like at least one chorus in English, just… Read more »
Getting that Indila vibe but not that Indila power and emotion. As is, it is a pleasant and interesting song but not enough for another Top 10. I also don’t like that first high note of the (pre?)chorus, it sounds out of place to me.
Hopefully la France can surprise us with a dynamic revamp 🙂
She’s nice to look at. I didn’t notice she was singing for about 2 minutes.
I like it but it sounds like three different songs. They are going to have to get quite creative with how they edit it. A bit of English would also help.
I call it that France will sing with this song in the Final second from last.
also the draw does not matter in this case. Why? Because it is a completely different song compared to the rest, very anti-Eurovision and unique in its own.
The key is Alma and her stage charisma! They need to improve it as they did improve Amir’s before the final.
this is great pop, different and very Indila!! Awesome! Well done to France 2 for the selection, they take it seriously! I believe this song will be a hit and it will do well in Eurovision if they prepare a very good staging.
Alma needs a lot of work to do though, she is young and inexperienced for such massive stage.
France is my current #1 now.
Usually don’t like France’s song…. this is the exception!! Coming from a fan of Louane and modern French pop, this song is beautiful! While there may not be a discernible hook, the chorus is great!!
J’adore! I had high expectations on France and they nailed it! I hope they keep it in French, I don’t think English lyrics would fit the song.
Ok, to me this sounds like 3 minutes of all the same. Where can we enter the song? Nothing recognisable it’s just one big jumble of French words in my ears. I’m sorry about it. I j’adore Amir last year he was fantastic.
I agree with the “Stromae” vibe, but there seems to be a mix of Indila-esque instrumentation (i.e. slightly orchestral) that makes it especially interesting; I don’t think it’s a full “crossover,” but it definitely gives off that vibe. This is just as radio-friendly as J’ai Cherche, but there isn’t a perceivable hook; I don’t think that’s a bad thing though—it’s bucking the usual Eurovision-style composition, and it may potentially work in its favor looking at what’s being offered now. It really just depends on how strong the live version is, as well as the staging. As others have noted, I… Read more »
Good job France, loving it! Loving the rhythm, freshness, the quality. And Alma is very pretty too! Good luck!
Meh. -_- Compared to J’ai Cherche last year, this isn’t as memorable for me, and like some people mentioned, there isn’t a hook that makes you want to listen to the song again and again.
@mad-professor: Yes it is very lyric-heavy this one. I would say that the repeated “Ce qu’il a donné” towards the end of the song is meant to be the hook, but we don’t hear it enough at the moment. It’s for the right-hand side of the scoreboard I think. Sorry France.
Damn,she’s bad live :/
Honest question: can anyone remember anything about this song after listening to it? There isn’t a hook like J’ai cherche.
This sounds very mid-2000s Eurovision to me. Not in a bad way.
Amazing song!!!!!
France is back again in the competition.
This is moderno good french pop. Welles produced. Sounds very french. The Best song tilt now até ESC2017. O do believe that People whose ears only knows english and trash radio friendly pop dont like this one…
Im reading the comments and Im SHOCKED. This is a masterpiece. No matter what place it takes, this is AMAZING! This is too good for Eurovision! I 100% love it! Alma, I will be voting for you multiple times from Albania! 100000000 points from me. I LOVE this song!
I like it very much. Great choice, France!
Maybe the song will come top or last. I don’t know. But I’m in love with it! It has indeed a “Stromae” vibe, it has a similar style. It starts well, it draws you in, the pre chorus is great and the chorus amazing! I also love Alma’s voice! Apart from that, this song seems to me so “French”. And I love that! Though, I don’t know how this will sound live, but I hope for the best. As for the change of the language some of you say on your comments, I think there’s no need of change. It… Read more »
Oh, I’m so sorry France.???? Seems like last year was just one lucky shoot.
I LOVE ITTTTTTT
top 3 for sure 🙂 🙂 🙂
go Alma
this is a masterpiece