Judy Et Cie
Encyclopedia
"Judy et Cie" was the Belgian
entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976
, performed in French
by Pierre Rapsat
.
The song was performed sixth on the night, following Luxembourg
's Jürgen Marcus
with "Chansons pour ceux qui s'aiment
" and preceding Ireland
's Red Hurley
with "When". At the close of voting, it had received 68 points, placing it 8th in a field of 18.
The melancholy ballad is about the plain and ordinary Judy, "the girl you will forget as soon as the night is over", who "behind her jewelry and mascara prays to Saint Marilyn Monroe
", daydreaming of becoming as beautiful as the girls in the fashion magazines, "as thin as reeds, with empty eyes - but no wrinkles". Judy, or someone else just like her, may very well be the girl you end up marrying - but also the one "you would sacrifice for a handful of snow".
After participating in the ESC Rapsat would go on to become one of Belgium's most successful and celebrated singer-songwriter
s of all time, often referred to as a "modern day Jaques Brel", known for his narrative and poetic lyrics, musically combining influences from French chanson
with rock, blues and reggae and in his later career also with rhythms from the Middle East
and Africa
. After three decades of bestselling singles, albums and tours in his native Belgium but still struggling to become fully recognised in the rest of the francophone
world, the 2001 album Dazibao and the hit single "Les Rêves Sont En Nous" finally managed to become his proper breakthrough in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and other neighbouring countries. Unknown to his audiences both in Belgium and abroad, Rapsat was at that point fighting cancer and he unexpectedly died the following year, at the age of 53.
"Judy et Cie" was succeeded as Belgian representative
at the 1977 Contest
by Dream Express singing "A Million in One, Two, Three
".
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...
entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976
Eurovision Song Contest 1976
The Eurovision Song Contest 1976, the 21st in the series, was held in The Hague, Netherlands, on 3 April 1976. With Corry Brokken as the presenter – the first time a previous winner of the contest had played hostess – the contest was won by Brotherhood of Man, representing the United...
, performed in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
by Pierre Rapsat
Pierre Rapsat
Pierre Rapsat was a Belgian singer-songwriter who had a very successful career in his homeland and also spells of popularity in other Francophone countries...
.
The song was performed sixth on the night, following Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
's Jürgen Marcus
Jürgen Marcus
Jürgen Marcus is a German schlager singer who was most successful during the 1970s, when he had 14 chart hits in Germany...
with "Chansons pour ceux qui s'aiment
Chansons Pour Ceux Qui S'Aiment
"Chansons pour ceux qui s'aiment" was the Luxembourgish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976, performed in French by German schlager singer Jürgen Marcus....
" and preceding Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
's Red Hurley
Red Hurley
Brian 'Red' Hurley is an entertainer from Ireland whose singing career has spanned several decades. He is principally known as a solo artist, although he does perform with various bands, the members of which are prone to change.-Personal life:...
with "When". At the close of voting, it had received 68 points, placing it 8th in a field of 18.
The melancholy ballad is about the plain and ordinary Judy, "the girl you will forget as soon as the night is over", who "behind her jewelry and mascara prays to Saint Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
", daydreaming of becoming as beautiful as the girls in the fashion magazines, "as thin as reeds, with empty eyes - but no wrinkles". Judy, or someone else just like her, may very well be the girl you end up marrying - but also the one "you would sacrifice for a handful of snow".
After participating in the ESC Rapsat would go on to become one of Belgium's most successful and celebrated singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
s of all time, often referred to as a "modern day Jaques Brel", known for his narrative and poetic lyrics, musically combining influences from French chanson
Chanson
A chanson is in general any lyric-driven French song, usually polyphonic and secular. A singer specialising in chansons is known as a "chanteur" or "chanteuse" ; a collection of chansons, especially from the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, is also known as a chansonnier.-Chanson de geste:The...
with rock, blues and reggae and in his later career also with rhythms from the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. After three decades of bestselling singles, albums and tours in his native Belgium but still struggling to become fully recognised in the rest of the francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
world, the 2001 album Dazibao and the hit single "Les Rêves Sont En Nous" finally managed to become his proper breakthrough in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg and other neighbouring countries. Unknown to his audiences both in Belgium and abroad, Rapsat was at that point fighting cancer and he unexpectedly died the following year, at the age of 53.
"Judy et Cie" was succeeded as Belgian representative
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
Belgium is a founding member of the Eurovision Song Contest. Since 1956, the country has participated 52 times, only being absent three times in total: in 1994, 1997 and 2001, due to low scores in the previous contests that relegated Belgium from the contest.-History of Belgium in the Eurovision...
at the 1977 Contest
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...
by Dream Express singing "A Million in One, Two, Three
A Million In One, Two, Three
"A Million in One, Two, Three" was the Belgian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, performed in English by Dream Express, a band consisting of Luc Smets and the three sisters Maessen; Bianca, Patricia and Stella...
".