France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Encyclopedia
Patricia Kaas
, one of France's most successful musical artists, represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 on 16 May 2009 in Moscow
, Russia
. The French broadcaster France Télévisions
once again used an internal selection as it had in the past to choose the song "Et s'il fallait le faire
", which was the first single from Kaas's next album, Kabaret.
. The country's first win came in 1958
, with André Claveau
's "Dors, mon amour
" (Sleep, my love). France is one of Eurovision's most successful countries, having won the contest five times in total. However, its last victory came in 1977
, over 30 years ago, and more recent French entries in the contest have been less successful, with very few entries reaching the top 5 since the 1980s.
France has been represented at Eurovision by a total of four different broadcasting organisation: Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française
(RTF) was the first French broadcaster to organise the French Eurovision participation; RTF was dissolved in 1964, and was replaced by Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française
(ORTF), who took over in 1965. In 1974 ORTF was also dissolved, and was replaced by seven different institutions. Télévision Française 1
took over the French Eurovision participation in 1975, and continued until 1982, when the broadcaster withdrew voluntarily from the 1982 contest
. The head of entertainment at the time, Pierre Bouteiller, said, "The absence of talent and the mediocrity of the songs were where annoyance set in. [Eurovision is] a monument to inanity [sometimes translated as 'drivel']." Antenne 2
took over from TF1 in 1983, and its current incarnation, France Télévisions
, has continued to organise France's Eurovision entry since.
who created considerable interest among French show business for the contest. It was decided that a big name would be lined up to represent France at Eurovision in Moscow, someone with a large and popular notoriety. Since Tellier's popularity increased after his participation, Eurovision was discovered to be a great advertising campaign. For example, his Eurovision entry in 2008, "Divine
", is now a part of the new advertising campaign for Renault Mégane
. Moreover, the competition in France has been open to different music styles since 2007, which encouraged contacts with key national and international companies in the choice of representatives. "We need a large company to cover the costs of participation and to promote our video," says the head of the delegation.
France Télévisions confirmed on 30 January that popular French singer Patricia Kaas
had agreed to represent France at the 2009 contest in Moscow. Rumours of Kaas' possible participation at Eurovision first arose in early January, after an article was published by Belgian
newspaper La Meuse. The news was originally denied by Kaas' management, however, her manager later confirmed that preparations were being made between Kaas and France Télévisions for her participation. Kaas officially confirmed on France 2
's talk show Vivement Dimanche, pre-recorded for broadcast on 8 February, that she would represent France at Eurovision in 2009. On 1 February, Kass revealed that "Et s'il fallait le faire
", the first single from her next album Kabaret, would be the song she would compete with at Eurovision.
on 7 March, and also performed her entry on the French talent show Star Academy
, as a duet with one of the contestants.
France Télévisions revealed that their commentators for the Eurovision final were TV host and actor Cyril Hanouna
and journalist and radio/TV producer Julien Courbet, broadcast on France 3
. Only the second semi-final of the contest was broadcast on France 4
, where the commentators were Peggy Olmi and Yann Renoard.
Patricia Kaas
Patricia Kaas is a French singer and actress.Kaas is a very successful French-speaking singer, with an International following...
, one of France's most successful musical artists, represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 on 16 May 2009 in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. The French broadcaster France Télévisions
France Télévisions
France Télévisions is the French public national television broadcaster. It is a state-owned company formed from the bringing together of the public television channels France 2 and France 3 , later joined by the legally independent channels France 5 , France Ô , and France 4 France Télévisions ...
once again used an internal selection as it had in the past to choose the song "Et s'il fallait le faire
Et s'il fallait le faire
"Et s'il fallait le faire" is a song by French singer Patricia Kaas and the first single off her album Kabaret. It was the French entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, held in Moscow, Russia, where it finished 8th with 107 points...
", which was the first single from Kaas's next album, Kabaret.
Background
France was one of the seven countries to compete in the very first contest in 1956Eurovision Song Contest 1956
The Eurovision Song Contest 1956 was the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Teatro Kursaal in Lugano, Switzerland on 24 May 1956...
. The country's first win came in 1958
Eurovision Song Contest 1958
The Eurovision Song Contest 1958 was the third Eurovision Song Contest. The convention that the winning country from a year hosted the following year's contest was introduced in this year. France's win was their first. It was the last time to date that the United Kingdom did not enter the contest...
, with André Claveau
André Claveau
André Claveau was born in Paris and was a very popular singer in France from the 1940s to 1960s....
's "Dors, mon amour
Dors, Mon Amour
"Dors, mon amour" was the winning song in the Eurovision Song Contest 1958. Performed in French by André Claveau representing France, the song was the first entry sung by a male soloist to win the contest....
" (Sleep, my love). France is one of Eurovision's most successful countries, having won the contest five times in total. However, its last victory came in 1977
Eurovision Song Contest 1977
The Eurovision Song Contest 1977 was the 22nd edition series, and was held on 7 May 1977 in London. With Angela Rippon as the presenter, the contest was won by Marie Myriam who represented France, with her song "L'oiseau et l'enfant" . This was France's fifth victory, a record, which was equalled...
, over 30 years ago, and more recent French entries in the contest have been less successful, with very few entries reaching the top 5 since the 1980s.
France has been represented at Eurovision by a total of four different broadcasting organisation: Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française
Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française
Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française was the French national public broadcasting organization established on 9 February 1949 to replace the post-war "Radiodiffusion Française" , which had been founded in 1945...
(RTF) was the first French broadcaster to organise the French Eurovision participation; RTF was dissolved in 1964, and was replaced by Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française
Office de Radiodiffusion Télévision Française
The Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française was the national agency charged, between 1964 and 1974, with providing public radio and television in France.-Post World War II:...
(ORTF), who took over in 1965. In 1974 ORTF was also dissolved, and was replaced by seven different institutions. Télévision Française 1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
took over the French Eurovision participation in 1975, and continued until 1982, when the broadcaster withdrew voluntarily from the 1982 contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1982
The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 24 April 1982 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The presenter was Jan Leeming. The opening of the contest showed a map of Europe, with the translation "Where is Harrogate?" popping up on-screen from...
. The head of entertainment at the time, Pierre Bouteiller, said, "The absence of talent and the mediocrity of the songs were where annoyance set in. [Eurovision is] a monument to inanity [sometimes translated as 'drivel']." Antenne 2
France 2
France 2 is a French public national television channel. It is part of the state-owned France Télévisions group, along with France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô...
took over from TF1 in 1983, and its current incarnation, France Télévisions
France Télévisions
France Télévisions is the French public national television broadcaster. It is a state-owned company formed from the bringing together of the public television channels France 2 and France 3 , later joined by the legally independent channels France 5 , France Ô , and France 4 France Télévisions ...
, has continued to organise France's Eurovision entry since.
Selection
Bruno Berberes, the head of the French delegation, stated that a "lovely surprise" was in store for the 2009 French representative, thanks to 2008's experience with Sébastien TellierSébastien Tellier
Sébastien Tellier is a French singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is currently signed to Record Makers, a French independent record label. He sings in English, French and Italian.-Biography:...
who created considerable interest among French show business for the contest. It was decided that a big name would be lined up to represent France at Eurovision in Moscow, someone with a large and popular notoriety. Since Tellier's popularity increased after his participation, Eurovision was discovered to be a great advertising campaign. For example, his Eurovision entry in 2008, "Divine
Divine (Sébastien Tellier song)
"Divine" is a song by Sébastien Tellier from his 2008 album Sexuality. The song represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The song is in English, with a few verses in French...
", is now a part of the new advertising campaign for Renault Mégane
Renault Mégane
The Renault Mégane is a small family car produced by the French automaker Renault since 1995. It is offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible and estate bodystyles...
. Moreover, the competition in France has been open to different music styles since 2007, which encouraged contacts with key national and international companies in the choice of representatives. "We need a large company to cover the costs of participation and to promote our video," says the head of the delegation.
France Télévisions confirmed on 30 January that popular French singer Patricia Kaas
Patricia Kaas
Patricia Kaas is a French singer and actress.Kaas is a very successful French-speaking singer, with an International following...
had agreed to represent France at the 2009 contest in Moscow. Rumours of Kaas' possible participation at Eurovision first arose in early January, after an article was published by Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
newspaper La Meuse. The news was originally denied by Kaas' management, however, her manager later confirmed that preparations were being made between Kaas and France Télévisions for her participation. Kaas officially confirmed on France 2
France 2
France 2 is a French public national television channel. It is part of the state-owned France Télévisions group, along with France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô...
's talk show Vivement Dimanche, pre-recorded for broadcast on 8 February, that she would represent France at Eurovision in 2009. On 1 February, Kass revealed that "Et s'il fallait le faire
Et s'il fallait le faire
"Et s'il fallait le faire" is a song by French singer Patricia Kaas and the first single off her album Kabaret. It was the French entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, held in Moscow, Russia, where it finished 8th with 107 points...
", the first single from her next album Kabaret, would be the song she would compete with at Eurovision.
Promotion
Kaas spent some time promoting her entry before Eurovision in France and Europe. Kaas performed her Eurovision entry at the Russian national finalRussia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Russia was the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, held in the Russian capital Moscow, after Russia's win in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008...
on 7 March, and also performed her entry on the French talent show Star Academy
Star Academy
Star Academy is a highly successful television show format based on the Spanish format "Operación Triunfo" produced by Endemol, that has been broadcast in over 50 countries...
, as a duet with one of the contestants.
At Eurovision
France automatically pre-qualified for the final of the contest as one of the "Big Four". France Télévisions are obliged to the second semi-final on 14 May 2009, where French viewers had the ability to vote. France performed third in the running order of the final and finished in 8th place. Although France finished in 8th place, they only received one top three vote the entire show, a 10 points from Russia. France was the only country in the top sixteen of the final to receive just one top three score.France Télévisions revealed that their commentators for the Eurovision final were TV host and actor Cyril Hanouna
Cyril Hanouna
Cyril Valery Hanouna is a French Radio and television presenter, writer, author, columnist, producer and occasional actor and comedian of Tunisian origins....
and journalist and radio/TV producer Julien Courbet, broadcast on France 3
France 3
France 3 is the second largest French public television channel and part of the France Télévisions group, which also includes France 2, France 4, France 5, and France Ô....
. Only the second semi-final of the contest was broadcast on France 4
France 4
France 4 is a french public channel owned by France Télévisions, dedicated to the entertainment. At first named Festival, the channel took its current name in 2005, to mark better its membership to the group France Télévisions...
, where the commentators were Peggy Olmi and Yann Renoard.