On Wednesday morning, France Télévisions confirmed that Slimane — one of the biggest pop stars of recent years in France — would sing at Eurovision 2024. And an hour later he sat down with Wiwibloggs for his first Eurovision-related interview to discuss his song “Mon Amour” and the overwhelming power of love.
Among other things, he explained that music is a way for him to channel love — to his daughter, his family, his friends and his fans. He isn’t thinking about Eurovision as a competition, but as a way of “sharing music, sharing my art, meeting people and, very importantly, representing my country.”
Destiny guides much of his life, and he says it also led him to “Mon Amour,” which arrived at a special place and time.
He has a massive tour across France and Belgium starting in November. But there’s a large gap in his schedule for March. He tells me that he hopes to fill it with as many preview parties as he can.
You can watch the full interview below. If you prefer to read, a transcript follows.
France’s Slimane says “Mon Amour” is “a love letter to European hearts”
It’s just moments after the announcement. How are you feeling?
So I’m very excited. I’m very happy. I’m also quite nervous. I’m looking forward to the song being released everywhere tonight.
How long have you been considering Eurovision and how did this opportunity come about?
It was a year ago. I was on tour and I remember this call from the Eurovision France team. But what was very important for me was to have THE song. And when “Mon Amour” arrived then it was clear for me. I knew that I was ready and I said, “Let’s go.”
Did this song come to you before or after the Eurovision invitation?
Everything was so connected. I’m very connected to destiny. I remember I was in Geneva and the song Mon Amour is very connected to my personal story and the places of the story was Geneva. So at that time all the stars were aligned — very straight. So yeah: Everything was clear.
What else can you tell us about “Mon Amour”? What can we expect?
Well I think everything is in the title, “Mon Amour.” It’s a love song. It’s a love letter actually. I think we need love more than ever. In a way it’s a love letter I wanted to send to all of the European hearts.
Your song is called “Mon Amour.” And your most recent album is Chroniques d’un Cupidon — Chronicles of a Cupid. He was, of course, the God of Love. Is love your main inspiration in music? And what is the greatest source of love for you?
Yes, it’s true. Love is my biggest source of inspiration in music. It drives my life and all my choices. It’s love — love for my daughter, love for my family, love for my friends, love for music. It’s universal love and since I started writing songs, I think I needed to input all this love into my songs.
You give love to the people. And they give it right back. You’re at the top of your game: 2 million albums sold, 1 million people attending your concerts, and nearly 2 billion streams worldwide. People will say you don’t need Eurovision. Why did you decide to accept this challenge at this point in your career?
I think it’s not a question of what I was or what I did before. It’s all about sharing music, sharing my art, meeting people and, very importantly, it’s about representing my country. Doing this — representing my country in such an iconic place, Eurovision, is just amazing.
You are a versatile artist who wears many colours and sings in many styles. For people outside of France who may not know you: How do you describe your music? What is the Slimane style?
It’s always very difficult to describe my own music. But I would say that it’s music that comes from the heart, very instinctive. I have the chance to write all of my songs. It’s all about love. I think that my music follows my mood and my personal life — and so that’s why it’s always changing.
You’ve got a massive tour starting in November and it’s taking you to Dijon, Marseille, Lille, Limoges Brussels. But in March there is a little break. Will we see you at any Eurovision preview parties?
Sure, sure. You observed well. I’m doing my best to have time in my schedule so I can be at those important preview parties. What I want to do is to sing this song as much as I can, so yes, it’s a big honour and I will do my best to be with you guys.
When you won The Voice in 2016, your life changed forever. You became a household name. Is the Slimane of today different from the artist of 2016?
In the beginning I thought maybe things would be different. But finally I’m so happy to see my heart still beats very, very, very strong. I think it’s the first time I’m so happy to experience those feelings again. Yeah, I’m very, very excited.
Speaking of The Voice: You are a judge on The Voice Kids in France and France is, of course, hosting the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Nice later this month. What advice do you have for the young stars who dream of becoming the next Slimane?
I would tell them to be yourself, always be connected to your heart and to your soul and to enjoy.
Finally Slimane, do you have a message for all of your fans — and new fans — waiting to greet you in Malmö this May?
Well you know, I’m counting down the months, days and hours before it happens in May. And meanwhile I hope that I will meet everyone in real life very soon — to sing and to share all of this together.
I can’t speak French, but I have to say: “Vous êtes une star! Bonne chance!”
I can speak a little English and I can tell you thank you so much to be the first one. And I hope you are my lucky star.
Are you loving Slimane’s warm vibe as much as we are? Do you think that he could put France back on top at Eurovision? Let us know down below!
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Just to put the things in order and to say the truth, this song has been already seen 2 millions of times on youtube in 5 days and has already 700 000 spotify streams. This song was well received everywhere in and outside the fandom, the reactions are really really good and positive, it gives goosebumps to those seeing and hearing this for the first time, people can feel the deep emotions without understanding the language, they can feel the intensity, BUT of course where we see again and always the more negativity it’s here on wiwibloggs, wiwibloggs readers are… Read more »
I saw a clip from the most-watched french TV show “Quotidien” and they were making fun of its basic lyrics!
That reference….
And of course Tattoo or Cha Cha Cha lyrics are philosophy….
Boring Song. Fortunaly I didn’t have to listen it to the end.
Who asked you? But you take time to put a bad comment here….
Tbh not really a fan of this. His voice is great, but the song’s a bit too slow and not captivating or unique enough for me, and the melody isn’t very memorable to me. Sorry.
No boom boom no cha cha cha, no rainbow, no break dances so of course….
La France 9/12
It’s way too early to say how the song will do, but let it be “Mon Amour” in any of the 2020–2023 editions; it would reach the TOP-15 at best. I don’t think singing in falsetto will be anyone’s victory anytime soon, as society is generally tired of soft and high-pitched vocals. The groove in the voice is what is now trending. The song is neither unique nor memorable enough for the masses of 200 million viewers to vote for either.
Soft and high pitched are not the words I would use to describe Slimane’s vocals lol
Yeah yeah of course, find something else…
Definitely a much better entry than “Evideflop.”Good luck France, you will need it!
I get some France 2015 vibes but that’s the best I can say about it. It’s going to flop
That stupidity, you hope that cause you’re mean that’s all.
the voice is strong but the song is very average – i mean the music especially the lame piano.
6 long months with this – i don’t know folks but i don’t think this is a good idea.
time will tell.
Anyone thinking this might be performed during interval for junior Eurovision?
It would be highly inappropriate if it was. The junior contest is children’s programming, do people forget that?
I like this. Powerful ballad well performed. I think France are trying something of an experiment by releasing this early. By May 24 this song will be by then familiar to most people and will be established in their mindset.
Classy, powerful male ballad, kind of Italian entry vibes… good start to this year’s batch!
This song makes me dislike the person singing it. The character. I’m sure Slimane himself is a lovely man, but the person in this song is a selfish moron. He deserved to be dumped, he is disturbingly needy, bordering on creepy. If I was his ex, these would be my answers to his questions. “Do you love me?” No. I’ve already told you this a thousand times. “What will we do about my pain?” I won’t be doing anything about, that is YOUR problem. I suggest seeing a therapist, or talking to friends. “Do you remember us?” Yes, of course… Read more »
HAHAHAH! I’m kinda with you on this one. I love his voice and overall delivery, but the song got on my nerves.
It’s only romantic if the other person is into it. Sounds here like she is not.
Ahaha. One of my exes had a similar reaction to one of my songs once, even though the song wasn’t about them specifically. A lot of songs are a needy form of self-expression, but that needn’t get in the way of commercial success. Just ask Taylor Swift. 🙂 As for the lyrics of “mon amour” specifically, I only read them about an hour ago, so I’m still processing them. There is an apology in Verse 1 (“sorry if I’m disturbing you”), so it reads a bit like pieces of a letter. Actually, the lyrics in the Chorus remind me of… Read more »
Does Kikki Danielsson explain it here?
https://youtu.be/fc9mGeFwM4Q?si=h4P5Py3GmO7SLx0T
Yeah, that’ll do. 🙂
Well, I can get your point on the lyrics when your taking them straight as they are. I don’t know if you’re talking about the lyrics in french or about the translation. As a french native speaker, I think the english translation is not doing justice to the lyrics. Personnaly, the way I understand the lyrics is more in a 2nd or 3rd degree. How I felt during the first listening was more the story of someone still suffering of a relationship that ended, and being haunted in their mind and in their dreams by this memory. And them remembering… Read more »
Thank you, Guiguiid! That helps a lot in my understanding. What I said earlier is really just my first impression. Not my final verdict. As I listen more, I will remember what you have told me.
Un vrai chef-d’œuvre…je n’ai pas de mots…les paroles, le voix, la mélodie, c’est ça la qualité que j’attends de la France.
This is a true masterpiece…just finished listening. I don’t have any words…the lyrics, the voice, the melody. This is the quality I expect from France.
*la voix… French isn’t my first language LOL. You’d think Sweden 2009 taught me better
What’s so great about the lyrics? Love has been done a million times already, I don’t think these words are anywhere near the “masterpiece” level.
“Do you remember us? Our first rendezvous? It was beautiful, it was wild.”
“I replay the scene, but it’s always the same ending that begins again.”
“I will do everything that I can, an ocean in the fire, the impossible, if you wish.”
“It’s stupid, I know, I will do it, filled with hope, I will wait for you.”
At least the lyrics touched me. \_(•_•)_/ lol
The song, the performance and the artist are of a very high quality. But when played on the radio in a string of other songs, it doesn’t stand out. This song is for the quality seekers, lovers of subtlety. Overall if the song is not in English, with the contest in mind, it doesn’t really matter what they sing, the largest part of the audience will not understand ( French is no longer a world language ), that is why the melody and the performance are of such a great importance. I hope it does well, I fear that winning… Read more »
Well, we’re off to a rough start…
Beautiful song, but apart from his voice it has absolutely nothing unique to offer. And released so early, it will get forgotten, unfortunately…
I enjoy the song but it will probably get forgotten. Best I see this doing is maybe 9th place
And 9th place is something to be celebrated. This song is very great and offers a lot of potential for the live performance. I think people wouldnt be as harsh on this if it wasn’t the first song to release.
We’re about to hear the first song of Eurovision 2024 , Bring it on !
Wow already an interview! Everything goes so quickly today, I can’t breathe lol.
Slimane’s “lucky star” Mr Lee Adams is such a big responsability!
I accept the responsibility with honour! Haha. And today really has been busy!!!
J’ai tellement envie d’écouter “Mon amour” dans quelques minutes! Selon l’entretien, cette chanson a l’air très prometteuse. Bonne chance Slimane!
I’m really looking forward to listening to “Mon amour” in a few minutes! From the interview this song seems very promising. Good luck Slimane!
I’m thinking I might wait. It seems wrong to be listening to an actual confirmed entry this soon. The contest is six months away!
That said, I will probably give in to temptation ten minutes from now.
Facts lol
“Important preview parties”
They are NOT important, Slimane! I really hope acts don’t feel pressured into attending these things. I personally think it is ridiculous for an artist of magnitude to clear a full month’s schedule just to pander to an entitled few.
Well, for many artists, this could be the way they reach fans, and engage them, and make sure they have a following after Eurovision. Take a look at Joker Out, who have been selling out shows left and right. Also, pre-parties give the chance for many internally selected artists to prove themselves that they can preform live, and give the Eurofandom that follows them, a good chance of what to expect from artists in May. Like imagine if we never heard Pia Maria’s vocals prior to the contest, and then all of the sudden she sounded terrible. That would’ve absolutely… Read more »
That is all good, and makes them worthwhile. It just seems to me that is become more and more expected that everyone will show up. Part of the protocol. I remember last year people complaining about Loreen not going to everything, as if she thought she was too good for it. Same with Marco. Which was untrue and unfair.
La Zarra got some bad buzz in france last year for cancelling preparties last minute. This comment is probably a pr move from the delegation to akowledge it wont happen again this year. Dont be so negative in every comment.
Your negativity on this chat is of another level. Your criticism is in no way constructive and comes across as done for the sake of it. And you haven’t even listened to the song by the time you write these comments. Slimane is very enthusiastic about his participation. Let the man enjoy it and comment on the song once you’ve bothered doing so.
There is no need to be so defensive, Yohann. It is not negativity. If anything, my perspective elevates these lyrics. The character can be a moron, that is fine, it does not make the song bad. For example, perhaps my favourite musical Sweeney Todd is about a serial killing cannibal. I would actually PREFER if my analysis of the Mon Amour lyrics are correct. Otherwise it is just bland.
Well for many artists it is important. You get publicity. You meet other artists. Fans. Perhaps become friends with other artists. Plus fans get to see if the singers actually can perform. And you can perform without pressure
But of course it is not mandatory and you should absolutely not be called out for not attendinf every party or none of them
Yeah, or you could have a horrible time with entitled fans chanting “NQ” all through your performance, like we saw this year.