Mere hours after the first list of rumoured names began to trickle online, France TV has bitten the bullet and revealed the identities of the 12 acts which will compete in the country’s brand new national selection — Eurovision France – C’est vous qui décidez!.
The list, published on 9 December, contains the five artists which were previously reported — Casanova, Philippine, LMX, Ali and Barbara Pravi. The remaining seven acts are Cephaz, Amui, Andriamad, Juliette Moraine, 12 Juin Le Duo, Terence James and Poney X. The broadcaster has also released the song titles. They are available to listen to here.
Every evening from Wednesday 16 December, fans can watch the primetime TV show called Eurovision France – les finalistes. Each episode will focus on one of the 12 acts, offering a portrait of the artists and their songs.
Barbara Pravi will probably be the act which Eurovision fans are most familiar with. She co-wrote France’s two most recent Junior Eurovision entries and also penned an entry in the now-defunct Destination Eurovision.
Eurovision France – C’est vous qui décidez!: Confirmed Acts
Watch live performances of all 12 songs.
- LMK – Magique
- Ali – Paris Me Dit
- Casanova – Tutti
- Barbara Pravi – Voilà
- Cephaz – On A Mangé Le Soleil
- Amui – Maeva
- Andriamad – Alléluia
- Philippine – Bah Non
- Juliette Moraine – Pourvu Qu’on M’Aime
- 21 Juin Le Duo – Peux-Tu Me Dire?
- Terence James – Je T’Emmènerai Danser
- Poney X – Amour Fou
Eurovision France – C’est vous qui décidez!: The Format
Eurovision France – C’est vous qui décidez! translates to ‘you decide’ — which is a name that British and Australian Eurovision fans will be well familiar with. Despite the similar name, the competition is independent from both the BBC and SBS formats.
The public will account for 50% of the total score while the remaining 50% will come from a ten-person professional jury. This panel will comprise of five French people and five from abroad. They are said to come from “all walks of life”. The voting will take place across two phases. Alexandra Redde-Amiel, France’s Head of Delegation, says that “we designed an original voting system that gives the audience a greater influence”.
The show is set to be presented by Stéphane Bern. The previously rumoured co-host Laurence Boccolini is not mentioned in the official press release.
The ongoing pandemic will obviously impact on the show. Redde-Amiel says: “The pandemic does not facilitate such an organization. Like the Host Broadcasters from The Netherlands we have been working on several scenarios. We also discussed these scenarios with our European colleagues and worked with their feedback. We have very good hope of seeing international members in our jury. In any case, the wonderful organization of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest by TVP has proven to all of us that we can organize an exceptional show despite the current events. It is now up to us to take up that same challenge”.
Are you excited for the new show? Which artist are you most looking forward to? Let us know below.
“Bah Non” is a bop and Philippine is a queen <3
I like her too. But my first favourite is “Alleluia”.
For me, it’s Paris me dit and Alléluia. Voila is good, but honestly, this is the kind of music France has made (and sent) for the past 60 years. No melodrama this year please, je veux danser!
Prepare your Waltz then, cause Barbara will probably win this.
yes of course, even host stephane will likely hype Voilá up as one of france’s best chansons ever
Wow France, this is a great selection of songs. I am absolutely obsessed with Amui already and want to live in their world. But on first listen, I think the sensible choice is LMK.
For the fans who didn’t manage to hear the full songs, it seems that the French delegation has open a new offcial Youtube page where the 12 recorded performances are now fully available, they aren’t no longer geo-blocked : https://www.youtube.com/c/eurovisionfranceftv/videos
I just noticed them on YT and came here to comment. Thanks for sharing. Now the REAL top 12 lists can actually start for most of us. 😉
Good luck to France and all of the participants!
We still feel the desire to put Barbara Pravi forward. This Saturday on France 2 she will be one of the guests of “Taratata”, one of the most French musical programs. I find this difference in treatment a bit unfair to the eleven other contestants.
https://www.facebook.com/Taratataofficiel/videos/733209977304947
The show was filmed long before the Eurovision reveal so to me it is unrelated. Voilà has been out since early November and has had some success on its own in France (100k streams, included in some famous Spotify playlists, criticized positively in the press and radios… which are not controlled by France TV)
Is sampling allowed in eurovision? Because if that is not the case Magique is definitely disqualified…..
Of which song?
I’m not saying she copied but it sounds really simular especially the course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szjaHbjhauk
and the oh lalala of this fugees song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPlb9HoOCxs
Long story short – yes, it is allowed. Actually, Ukraine won in 2016 with a song with a fair amount of sampled material in the chorus. The only issue is – whether the sampled part is copyrighted or not. Jamala’s 1944 used public domain verses from a traditional song. If there’s a credited author of a sampled song, I guess they could ask for it to be removed.
But isn’t there a difference between sampling a traditional folk song that is probably over 300 years old vs sampling a pop song that is less than 20 years old…
I dont think it’s a sample tbh. We find what you talked about in many songs
What a wonderful song Barbara Pravi’s is. Love it!
Voilá.
I just finished listening to 8 out of the 12 songs (4 were geoblocked) and I’ve got to say from the 8 I heard, the quality of the selection is really outstanding (so far). For me, there were no dud songs. I am very much looking forward to the National Selection in January, which will def be one to pay attention to 🙂
I’m not sure if the same 4 songs are geoblocked for other countries, but does anyone have a way to listen to them??
I was told below that the rest of the songs will officially be released tonight at midnight and then everyone will be able to hear them.
Great 🙂 Can’t wait to hear the rest of the songs!!
For those who are interested in hearing Barbara singing live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnn5ak-IKPs
Also this one closer to the studio version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSLvZJPfffY&fbclid=IwAR0Cs0yvfgdX-SDS0eEBKHPs_xzudRTDcvLhAWdwp1Hr99f8rqFSLrXjLkc
Thank you for this video 🙂
Wow, she sounded amazing live! Can’t wait to see her live performance on the stage!
What confuses me is that considering France internally selected “The Best Of Me” last year, they didn’t just internally select Voilà or Alléluia this year? Both of those songs are much more deserving.
I guess they just want to showcase more French talent from now on, which is commendable.
I think if a song is selected through a national selection it gives it a momentum
I guess they fell into the siren song that hiring a “dream team” of songwriters is the fastest path to win Eurovision. But apparently they learned from this mistake.
Absolutely ! “The best of me” was a bad joke.
After several listenings, Casanova, Terence, Andriamad, LMK, Poney X songs have potential but they really really need revamps, between the 2 Chansons I I will definetely choose Barbara’s song, her song and performance are very very effective. And after several listenings the songs that kept in my head are those of Andriamad Terence Barbara Poney X, so I pray for revamps of Terence Andriamad and Poney X songs. Andriamad song needs few things to be perfect, but only something that makes it really really more powerful. Terence finally I would revamp the chorus cause it’s too repetitive, first listening I… Read more »
Newspaper “20 minutes” wrote that some of the songs presented will be quite different during the final show because they will exactly use revamps
Ok thank you! I know that some songs need revamps, and it’s cool it means we have not see again the final product, excited for Andriamad LMK Terence and Poney X cause the potential is big with their songs.
There are some amazing songs, but for me Alléluia by Andriamad it’s my favorite, I really enjoyed in the first seconds, that’s what is supposed to be an eurovision song, I Love it!
“Parlez leur de cette fille aux yeux noirs et de son rêve fou.”
“Tell them about this girl with the black eyes and her stupid dream.”
Barbara needs to win this; goosebumps and a tear in three well-spent minutes!
The lines that caught me are
« Regardez-moi ou du moins ce qu’il en reste
Regardez-moi avant que je me déteste »
(Look at me or at least what’s left of me / look at me before I hate myself)
This feels really raw
My top: 1) Terence James 2) Barbara / Juliette 3) LMK 4) Andriamad 5) Poney X 6) Phillippine 7) Casanova 8) Cephaz 9) Amui 10) 21 juin le duo 11) Ali Overall a good selection, very varied, polynesian, corsican, chanson, french touch, uptempo, danceable, world music, everybody can find a song he likes in it, and it’s the aim. My winner would be Terence cause I love pop and uptempo songs and the end is epic or one of two Chansons cause they brings emotions. But the world music of Andriamad can do very well in eurovision too. Let’s see… Read more »
The level of this selection is nowhere near Destination Eurovision 2018 and 2019. I am so disappointed as that was the national final I was waiting for.
To me, Barbara, Andriamad and Pony Xs songs are better than all of DE2019´s songs (except for Seemone). So I’m satisfied.
Voila sort of reminded me of Portugal 2017 and while it did win , I had it outside my Top 36 for 2017. So , if Viola wins I’ll not be rooting for a French victory but maybe it could pull a Portugal 2017 on me.
No one else got that feeling ?
Amar Pelos Dois sounded quite uplifting and serene though? Love Voila, but there is an air of anguish and pain to the song. It’s hauntingly beautiful, but it makes me feel different emotions.
Portugal 2017 is one of the greatest moments of the whole ESC.
My thoughts on the last 6 songs: ANDRIAMAD: very interesting , World music, with many influences, really universal, it can works very well. PHILLIPPINE: what a charisma! Her song is funny, the rythm is interesting, but again too repetitive for my taste. JULIETTE MORAINE: french chanson maybe a little bit more classical than Barbara, but I love the progression in it, and the song is beautiful. 21 JUIN LE DUO: nothing bad, nothing new, a sympathical duo, the song is simple, the chorus is simple, a little bit amateurish in my opinion TERENCE JAMES: don’t ask me why, I don’t… Read more »
My thoughts after the first listenings, first 6 songs: LMK: she surprised me in a good way, it begins like a ballad and it twists in a modern track uptempo and very danceable, her voice and the way she uses it is very modern. ALI: the subtle arabic influences and the chorus are interesting but the overall package is too weak and too amateurish for me. CASANOVA: good looking guy, again a modern track but too predictable too safe, is it a chorus in corsican? BARBARA PRAVI: songwritter for the winning jesc song 2020, her song is a french chanson… Read more »
Magique is a BOP !!! Giving me Aya Nakamura vibes love it !
My favourites are LMK, Céphaz and Terence James. I’m sorry guys, but I’m not big fan of Barbara’s song.
I think “Viola” is the best performance, and had the best chance to do well in Rotterdam. “Tutti” I think could also do well, but Barbara Pravi’s performance is so good, I think the juries will love it
This is their chance to right the wrong of snubbing “Tous le deux” (well, actually the juries did right by it, but generally speaking…). Question is, what’ll Gjon’s Tears send? It does vaguely remind me of “Repondez-moi.” (Man, two French ballads in a year. Is it Christmas already?)
Répondez-moi has an international sound though, despite the language. Voila has a very French essence in its music. I think staging could help to differentiate the songs as well.
So far I’ve only heard “Voila” but I really like it! Give it simple staging (shamelessly rip off Duncan if you want) and it could be a real contender.
I imagined the lighting of “Proud”. Barbara on center stage, some spotlights on her, maybe something veeeery subtle going on the background… Voilà!
Ooh, that could work!
That’s Patricia Kaas 2009! 🙂
Indeed! Though I’m imagining more artistic lighting, a darker stage. By the way, Patricia was one of my favorites that year.
…for the French act sent to Eurovision. It’s definitely not a contender for an ESC win.
Barbara is the best.
The fact that Barbara Pravi can write something so fun and kid-friendly like “Bim bam toi” or “J’imagine” and then serve dramatic poetry like “Voilà”… That’s some great songwriter here
Omg! Barbara Pravi gave me EVERYTHING I didn’t know I needed from that one performance. BRAVO!!!
I was able to watch all the performances with a VPN. It’ll be a pleasant show, even the weakest entries have charming performers or bring diversity to the selection. Also, most songs are in a similar level. For my taste, “Voilà” is the one that flies above the rest. Sounds sincere, very French, but with a modern touch and an almost theatrical vibe (I can totally see why Barbara and Igit work so well together). It won’t make me cry as “Tous les deux” did, but it’s great. For those who don’t see anything modern on it, I suggest a… Read more »
Always enjoying reading your opinions, Sabrina and Tibor! 🙂
I’ve heard only 8 songs in the full and will start making any kind of actual top lists only in a day or two when all of them are out. 🙂
Still, out of those I’ve listened to, I’ll just hint that on the first listening I found two songs really good, six in various degrees of okay and one just very poor.
May I ask what would be the really good ones, Colin? I loved the “various degrees of okay”, it’s definitely how I feel about most of this selection.
At first, Voila and Alleluja stood out to me as really good. 😉
All, apart from one, have at least something I can see pushing them into the “good” category on second take. However, I can easily see some of them sinking into the middle ground just as well.
So far, I think I found DE somewhat stronger in 2018 and 2019, but I’m not complaining, since this is overall an upgrade from the 2020 song.
“Alléluia” is one of those light-hearted stuff I could see doing well with the televote. No idea how the juries would see it.
Same two that stood out clearly to me. I don’t think anything else in this selection is even the level below those two.
It goes without saying that I also appreciate reading your opinions and the exchange we have here, guys. 🙂
About the geoblocking, it’s weird, because France usually doesn’t do that. They even broadcasted DE on Facebook. Also, there’s an interview on Eurovision’s official site where Alexandra mentions that national finals are watched by people from various countries and that she hopes the international audience will like the new show too.
That’s because the 4 last songs aren’t official realeased, they will be this evening 11.59pm
I think it’s because France TV only posted the auditions filmed at Apollo Theatre during the selection process on their platform which is geo-blocked indeed (except for the evening of the show). According to the artists, it seems that the reveal has been anticipated (it was programm for this Friday I believe) but leaks and press TV program schedule sped the things up.
This would explain why they partner up with Facebook, maybe it’s easier to do that than to geoblock a single event.
I’m now thinking that maybe the leaked names made them rush their announcement and those 4 songs happen to be the ones that would be released on the actual pre-scheduled day.
The truth is that France is criticized by part of the fandom if they go with something that’s “too French!”, but also by other part if they go with something that’s “not French enough!”. They live on this tightrope. “Voilà” may not be the take we would expect from their contemporary scene, but I like every aspect about it. In the worst case scenario, this would be well respected and embraced by francophile voters and jurors. Overall, I believe Destination Eurovision had better lineups. I would say the classy entries here lack the tenderness that “Merci” and “Tous les deux”… Read more »
So, it’s a matter of perception. Maybe Barbara thought channeling her inner Piaf would be a good choice this time. She doesn’t have a moustache, won’t probably wear a beret and there’s no accordion on the track, maybe she can still seduce you into liking her track!
Oh, and I would also avoid Eiffel towers on stage. But Valentina’s one was very cute with all that bouncing.
I can totally see hear ”typical French” sound you are mentioning, but I can also hear some ”circus theatrics”, which I usually love. Seriously, most songs which had that type of circus / marching band sound were pretty high up my lists. I see Voila as a blend of two and I really think it could bring some enchantment into Rotterdam. As for staging, it should reflect both intimate and dramatic elements of the song, so I’d suggest her in an elegant dress (or any monochromatic elegant attire), with lights and shadows playing a huge part in revealing the stage.… Read more »
Perhaps this sounded convoluted. 🙂 I meant, I can hear some chord progressions similar to circus theatrics songs, especially near the ending. I then just put both ”circus” and ”marching band” in a group of ”theatrics I like”, even if I’d connect Voila only with the former. I hope it’s clearer now. I got carried away. 😉
I also would have problems putting into words, but I feel Colin has the same perception I have about the theatrics on “Voilà”. And that’s what made me talk about Igit in the initial comment. It’s not as evident as “Lisboa Jerusalem”, but I could see this being performed in a play, in a moment of self-doubt by a character.
I can relate to that. Just to stay with a recent example: you won’t catch me listening to “Proud” on my headphones, but I actually love watching Tamara perform it.
For me I like these songs the best:
Pony X, by far. No winner alert in any of those 12, but a lot of bottom 5 material…
Ali or Pony X people please ! Enough of boring ballads from France three years in a row 🙂 make us move !!!!
You’ve posted that same comment on this post 10 times today lol… It won’t change that if people prefer a ballad, then a ballad will go :/
I ve got the right to 😉 glad to see youre one of my followers ! Kissssssdd
I have not listened every song, just the front runners. Voila is very French, very authentic, and it would surely do well- but not as well as Amar Pelos Dois. I liked Amour Fou a bit more maybe, but I do not see it as a contender. Overall, I have mixed feelings: I am really happy that we got back our French National Final, but I am still waiting for the song that I can unconditionally root for. So far, this year (Albania, Estonia and France all together) is very diverse in terms of musical genres, with some truly original… Read more »
Imagine andriamad not winning tho…..
is many of them out on you tube? i tested with 4 but found no one so i gave up
I could have a top 8 now, but 4 among these entries are impossible to find in a whole and they are even mostly copyrighted in the recaps. I could barely hear 10 seconds of each, which isn’t nearly enough to form a particularly well rounded opinion. I am disappointed when this stuff happens. They are geo-blocked on the official site and copy-righted on You Tube. 🙁
Does anyone know how to listen to them at all?
For the ones you can’t find on YouTube, I think you will have to wait until Friday midnight which is the official release for the rest of them. I believe it’s the case for Casanova, Juliette Moraine, 21 Juin le Duo but I’m not sure. I am looking forward to your thoughts after you’ll have listened them all because you seem usually to have interesting points of view!
Oh, so this is temporary and they will be out on Friday / Saturday. Okay, that’s a better news, if so. Thanks! 🙂
Actually, those I can’t find on YT are Terrence, Casanova, Amui and LMK.
So I checked on Youtube and yeah I have exactly the 4 same ones which are also blocked for me while I’m in France so that’s a question of official release. The artists in question all confirmed the date of tommorow 11.59pm. Hope you will enjoy it
Thank you very much for this info. I will enjoy it for sure. Whether songs will be great or not by my taste is something I cannot know yet, but I always enjoy the process of listening and reviewing the songs. It adds to the whole ESC journey. 🙂
Someone zipped up all twelve auditions and shared the link on Discord. I got lucky I guess.
For me it’s Maeva – Amui !!
This is also part of the French culture… less known unfortunately.
I love the polynesian language. It would be awesome to send a song with that vibes
I’m french and I’m convinced Barbara will win this. She will win juries’ hearts + France 2’s audience is quite old so I think they will vote for her.
I was expecting a huge bop but there isn’t one, I absolutely wanted an uptempo but Barbara has a huge potential, it seems.
Yes I also hope Barbara wins. If not than Philippine or that duo that sing alleluia.
I wasn’t able to find ,,Magique”, ,,Tutti”, ,,Maeva” and ,,Je T’Emmenerai Danser” because of the geoblock so ,,Amour Fou” is my favorite for now. I’m not blown away but it’s fun and different from anything they have sent in the past. With a good staging I think it could be the new ,,What’s The Pressure”.
I like Voila, but it’s far from a masterpiece. The lyrics may be outstanding but I don’t understand a word so they are lost on me. The arrangement is too simple and feels empty and incomplete. Maybe a richer orchestration it would make it grow on me. The song isn’t modern at all – no idea what everyone’s talking about. Yes, it’s a much more modern take but on something I grew up listening to 20 years ago that wasn’t fresh even then. Barbara’s delivery is really good and I wouldn’t mind her winning but no way France’s gonna reach… Read more »
I think exactly the contrary. « Tous les deux » was my favorite in 2019 but to me it sounded much more like a « normal ballad » that we have heard before than Voilà. It had less identity. Voilà is a contemporary take on a retro song, with hints of Edith Piaf and Jaques Brel. Also Barbara is much more charismatic than Seemone to me, and I find the lyrics much more poetic. So I think it could reach a top 10, maybe even a top 5 🙂 but I agree that it would need a reorchestration (but « tous les deux » had a… Read more »
I brought up ,,Tous les deux” because of some of the previous comments. Yeah, we feel quite differently. Seemone made me believe her from the first note (not that I didn’t find Barbara sincere) and I felt like that song could have reached top 5. When it comes to ,,Voila” I think the left side of the scoreboard is probable but I’m not sure it’ll get to top 10. People always complain about ballads and in a year where we might not have a regular show I just don’t see ballads doing exceptionally well… Anyway, as I said I like… Read more »
I agree, I fell in love with “Tous les deux” at the first listen but for “Voila” it just left me an “ok it’s pretty beautiful could win” impression so far, I guess it’ll all depend on the staging to deliver the message not just to the French audience
I have the impression that the selection is very homogeneous, and if nobody really stands out it’s because the candidates are of the same level. I’m French and my heart is going to lean towards “Maeva”, I find that it’s three beautiful voices which defend Polynesia well. And it’s been a long time since we had a candidate representing our islands (Jean Gabilou (1981) , Joelle Ursull (1990) , Kali (1992)… Not Jessy Matador in 2010, he is Parisian! ) 😉 I also like Ceyphaz’s song. But I think it’s Poney X who can win the selection, there is… Read more »
Only 8 of these songs are available to listen in the us out of 12 so I can’t make a full judgement, but one thing is clear. All of them are way better than the Best in Me, even the weaker selection songs.
I got goosebumps listening to Voila! Its amazing! Also Magique and Bah Non were also very good and so was Alleluia! Just an overall great selection, better than the other 3 selections have so far!
My favs are Tutti, Violà and Allèlua. I think that Barbara will win. However, the quality of this national final is very low, Destination Eurovision was better.
After first listen voila and alleluia caught my attention.
It will depend on the live version anyway, but I don’t mind any of them to win for now.
I must admit it’s a good selection. However, Voilà is a masterpiece and my winner!!! I absolutely love it. Go Barbara!!
Tom was hated, but Barbara isn’t
feel sad for Tom right now, the best in me had more life than Voilá
We found Tom y’all
I liked Tom as well.
NOT vibing with the Voila hate from some people in these comments…
It’s mostly a few users
AMOUR FOU ?
What an amazing title…. and house parts !
It s so addictive !
France : your come back in the top ten seems for this year !
Some entries are geoblocked in my country so I have listened to the snippets of them, not the entire songs. So I’m not going to judge the songs one by one, but I need someone from France to have a clearer picture. If there’s someone here from France I’d be really interested to know what the French people think about those songs and which one seems to be the favourite for now at least. I would like also to know if Barbara Pravi can win the whole thing, it’s the one that stood out for me (at least out of… Read more »
no it’s a play on words like we consume so much that we even ate the sun, as the song is on consumerism
And regarding Barbara, yes I think she has the best shot at eurovision but I am not sure that the French public will select her. I see them being more drawn towards something less classic like Alleluia, but I hope I am wrong.
Merci beaucoup!
Barbara is too outdated, Voilá belongs in the trashcan of the 50’s
it’s timeless, it’s not dated and it’s inspired by the 50’s. It’s like you would call Dua Lipa’s new album dated, because it’s inspired by the 80’s
My top 5 for now:
1 Je T’Emmènerai Danser
2 Magique
3 Tutti
4 Paris Me Dit
5 Amour fou
I really do not understand what people see In Voila I think If France Is going to send her that the results will not be much better than “N’oubliez pas”
And no Its not giving me ”Amar pelos dois” vibes AT ALL
It’s much more modern and fresh?
So true !!! Edith piaf made in china ???
don’t be rude
its the rudeness and the sinophobia for me
exactly
Lisa’s song in 2015 was better and deserved better than what it got
Maybe Poney X for the show and juliette for the « french cliché but actually not bad » factor. Some have potential but it all depends on the investment france tv is going to put in it. We’ve never won in my whole lifetime so the expectations are never too high.