Flash (Stéphanie song)
Encyclopedia
"Flash" is a 1986
song recorded by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
. It was the second single
of her first album, Besoin, and was also recorded in English-language version under the title "One Love to Give". Released at the end of 1986, it was a hit in several countries, including Sweden
where it reached number one on the chart.
" in 1986 spring (number one in France), Stéphanie decided to continue her musical career releasing an album, Besoin, which achieved a great success on the French Albums Chart (number six, certified Gold disc
), and a second single, "Flash", whose single version was shorter than that of the album. This new song was eagerly anticipated by the public who wanted to see if the princess would be able to reproduce the same success in terms of sales and charting.
As for "Ouragan", Romano Musumarra, a famous composer in the 1980s, participated in the writing and the production of the song, helped by Roberto Zanelli and Michel Jouveaux who also composed the music, which is very melodious.
The song was also recorded in English-language in order to be released, about two months after the original version, in the anglophone countries, being re-entitled "One Love to Give". It was not just a translation : indeed, lyrics are different. Carol Welsman replaced Michel Jouveaux in the composition of the text and the music. The French and English versions are included on the album Besoin as the 9th and 14th tracks ("One Love to Give" features in an extended version which lasts 7:30 with a long musical introduction).
The music video begins with the mention : "Les fantômes existent encore, Stéphanie n'y croyait pas, et pourtant..." In it, Stéphanie has an androginous look, performing the song in a castle, along with her friend Gérard Blanc
- a French singer who had a great success in 1987 with "Une autre histoire
" (number two in France) -, who also appears playing the guitar.
Kamil Rustam
(another renowned musician who won the 1985 Victoire de la musique for best arrangement) can also be seen playing the guitar and, in another scene, kissing Stephanie's hand.
The video alternates English and French lyrics.
, but achieved a moderate success in comparison of "Ouragan
". It went straight to number six on 18 October 1986, and reached a peak of number four in its fourth and fifth weeks on the chart. The single stayed for nine weeks in the top ten and 15 weeks in the top 50. It was certified Silver disc
by the SNEP, the Franch certificator, for at least 200,000 sales. According to Infodisc website, "Flash" is the 721st best-selling single of all time in France.
The single also featured on the Swiss Singles Chart
, for only one week, at number 28, on 26 October 1986.
In the English version, the song had a success in Sweden
. It debuted at number nine on the Swedish Singles Chart on 17 December 1986, and climbed to number one, where it stayed for one month.
It also peaked for one week at number ten in Germany
.
1 "One Love to Give" (English version)
1986 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-January-June:*January 23 – The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...
song recorded by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Countess of Polignac is a member of the princely family of Monaco. She is the youngest child of Grace, Princess of Monaco and Rainier III of Monaco, and the sister of Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline...
. It was the second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
of her first album, Besoin, and was also recorded in English-language version under the title "One Love to Give". Released at the end of 1986, it was a hit in several countries, including Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
where it reached number one on the chart.
Background, release and music video
After the success of her debut single "OuraganOuragan (song)
"Ouragan" , also released under the title "Irresistible", is the first single recorded by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, from her album, Besoin...
" in 1986 spring (number one in France), Stéphanie decided to continue her musical career releasing an album, Besoin, which achieved a great success on the French Albums Chart (number six, certified Gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
), and a second single, "Flash", whose single version was shorter than that of the album. This new song was eagerly anticipated by the public who wanted to see if the princess would be able to reproduce the same success in terms of sales and charting.
As for "Ouragan", Romano Musumarra, a famous composer in the 1980s, participated in the writing and the production of the song, helped by Roberto Zanelli and Michel Jouveaux who also composed the music, which is very melodious.
The song was also recorded in English-language in order to be released, about two months after the original version, in the anglophone countries, being re-entitled "One Love to Give". It was not just a translation : indeed, lyrics are different. Carol Welsman replaced Michel Jouveaux in the composition of the text and the music. The French and English versions are included on the album Besoin as the 9th and 14th tracks ("One Love to Give" features in an extended version which lasts 7:30 with a long musical introduction).
The music video begins with the mention : "Les fantômes existent encore, Stéphanie n'y croyait pas, et pourtant..." In it, Stéphanie has an androginous look, performing the song in a castle, along with her friend Gérard Blanc
Gérard Blanc
Gérard Blanc was a French singer and guitarist.-Biography:He began to sing in the 1970s with the band Martin Circus. Then in the 1980s, he participated in the production of Princess Stephanie of Monaco's first album, and started a solo career...
- a French singer who had a great success in 1987 with "Une autre histoire
Une autre histoire
"Une autre histoire" is a 1987 pop song recorded by French singer Gérard Blanc. It was the first single from his debut album Ailleurs pour un ailleurs and was released in May 1987. It became a smash hit in France and was covered by several artists throughout the years, thus achieving cult status...
" (number two in France) -, who also appears playing the guitar.
Kamil Rustam
Kamil Rustam
Kamil Rustam is a French guitarist, composer, arranger, songwriter and producer whose musical career has made known as a prolific musician in many different styles....
(another renowned musician who won the 1985 Victoire de la musique for best arrangement) can also be seen playing the guitar and, in another scene, kissing Stephanie's hand.
The video alternates English and French lyrics.
Chart performances
The song was a hit in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, but achieved a moderate success in comparison of "Ouragan
Ouragan (song)
"Ouragan" , also released under the title "Irresistible", is the first single recorded by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, from her album, Besoin...
". It went straight to number six on 18 October 1986, and reached a peak of number four in its fourth and fifth weeks on the chart. The single stayed for nine weeks in the top ten and 15 weeks in the top 50. It was certified Silver disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
by the SNEP, the Franch certificator, for at least 200,000 sales. According to Infodisc website, "Flash" is the 721st best-selling single of all time in France.
The single also featured on the Swiss Singles Chart
Swiss Music Charts
The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75...
, for only one week, at number 28, on 26 October 1986.
In the English version, the song had a success in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It debuted at number nine on the Swedish Singles Chart on 17 December 1986, and climbed to number one, where it stayed for one month.
It also peaked for one week at number ten in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Track listings
- 7" single
- "Flash" — 4:20
- "Le Sega mauricien" — 4:30
- 12" maxi
- "Flash" (remix) — 7:50
- "Le Sega mauricien" (remix) — 4:25
- 7" single (English version)
- "One Love to Give" — 4:20
- "Le Sega mauricien" — 4:20
- 12" maxi (English version)
- "One Love to Give" (remix) — 7:29
- "Flash — 4:18
- "Le Sega mauricien" — 4:22
Peak positions
| Chart (1986/87) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Eurochart Hot 100 | 26 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 4 |
| German Singles Chart1 | 10 |
| Swedish Singles Chart1 | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart1 | 28 |
1 "One Love to Give" (English version)
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Silver | 1986 | 200,000 | 441,000 |