"Foule sentimentale" is a 1993 popular song written, composed and performed by the

French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...

artist Alain Souchon. The song was released as a single in October 1993 and was the first one from his 1993 album '' C'est déjà ça''. It achieved success in France.

Lyrics and music

In this song, Alain Souchon criticizes "the superfluity of the materialistic society". In the lyrics, he also cites Paul-Loup Sulitzer and Claudia Schiffer as examples of people highlighted in the media for their success in their respective fields, saying thus all that causes great harm to the TV viewers.

Critical reception

According to the magazine ''Platine'', this song was "clean and efficient". The song won the award of the song of the year at the 1994

Victoires de la Musique Victoires de la Musique (; en, Victories of Music) is an annual French award ceremony where the Victoire accolade is delivered by the French Ministry of Culture to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. The classical and jazz ...

and the Victory of Victories of the original song of the last twenty years in 2005.

Chart performances

The song appeared on the French SNEP Singles Chart from 30 October 1993 to 9 April, then from 23 to 30 April 1994. Thus it stayed for 26 weeks on the chart and jumped from #14 to #1 on 12 February 1994. The song has become one of the most emblematic songs of the singer."Foule sentimentale", French Singles Char
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(Retrieved February 18, 2008)

Covers and tributes

In 1997, the song was covered by

Les Enfoirés Les Enfoirés (, 'The Tossers' or 'The Bastards') is the name given to the singers and performers in the yearly charity concert for the Restaurants du Cœur. Founded in 1986, its first concert was held in 1989. Participating artists and persona ...

and features on their album ''Sol en Si'' (track 15, 5:09), released on 6 October. It was performed by Francis Cabrel, Michel Jonasz, Catherine Lara, Maxime Le Forestier, Maurane,

Zazie Isabelle Marie Anne de Truchis de Varennes (born 18 April 1964), better known by her stage name Zazie, is a French singer-songwriter and former fashion model. Her greatest hits include " Je suis un homme", " À ma place" and "Speed". She co-produ ...

and Alain Souchon himself.Various artists, ''Sol en Si'
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(Retrieved February 18, 2008) In 2006, the song was also covered in Portuguese-language by the female singer Bia under the name "Tão Sentimental" (3:14), that features on her album ''Coeur Vagabond''. The song also exists in the Russian-language by DJ Smash under the name "Москва ждёт Февраль" (4:17).

Rose A rose is either a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus ''Rosa'' (), in the family Rosaceae (), or the flower it bears. There are over three hundred species and tens of thousands of cultivars. They form a group of plants that can b ...

and Renan Luce covered it live in the French television show ''Pour Haïti'', broadcast on 24 January 2010 on

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 and France 5. France Télévisions also participates in Arte and Euronews. Since 3:20 CET on ...

. In The Netherlands, Herman Van Veen used the music of the song in one of his children theatre shows about Alfred J. Kwak. The song is called ''Andere Namen''. As tribute to this song, French singer-songwriter Renaud wrote the song "Sentimentale mon cul" in 2006 on his album ''Rouge Sang''.

Charts

Certifications and sales

References

{{authority control 1993 singles Alain Souchon songs SNEP Top Singles number-one singles Songs written by Alain Souchon 1993 songs Virgin Records singles