En rouge et noir

"En Rouge et Noir" is a 1986 French single recorded by Jeanne Mas, from her album Femmes d'aujourd'hui. It achieved a great success in France, topping the chart during 1986 summer. At present, it is undoubtedly the most known song of this artist.

"En Rouge et Noir"
Single by Jeanne Mas
from the album Femmes d'aujourd'hui
B-side	"Plus forte que l'océan"
Released	1986
Recorded	France
Genre	Synthpop, Hi-NRG
Length	4:32
Label	EMI
Songwriter(s)	Jeanne Mas (lyrics), Massimo Calabrese, Piero Calabrese, Lorenzo Meinardi, Romano Musumarra (music)
Producer(s)	Romano Musumarra
Jeanne Mas singles chronology
"Cœur en stéréo" (1986) "En Rouge et Noir" (1986) "L'Enfant" (1986)

Music video and cover versions

In the music video, Jeanne Mas makes up and chooses dresses in a store, and carries out a photo meeting. At the time of the chorus, the singer appears in a band film which passes through the screen.

In 2005, the song was covered by Jean-Jacques Goldman, Lorie, Gérard Jugnot and Liane Foly at the time of Les Enfoirés's tour.

Versions

There are different versions of the song : a 1983 version with a different chorus appeared on Les années chansons, published by the magazine Platine. This one, released without the singer's agreement, was prohibited of marketing ; in 1986. Two remixes were also recorded on 12", the "Special Remix 1" (available on Les plus grands succès de Jeanne Mas) and the "Spécial Remix 2" (available on limited edition of J'M – Le meilleur de Jeanne Mas). In 2006, the "Kamp house remix" was produced by DJ Esteban and is available on the first edition of album The Missing Flowers and on My 80's.

The song is available on several Jeanne Mas's albums : for example, Femmes d'aujourd'hui, Le Meilleur de Jeanne Mas (2001, track 14), Best of (6 September 2004, track 3).[1] It features also on numerous 1980s compilations, such Classiques 80[2] and Le Top : 20 ans de tubes, Vol. 1.[3] "En Rouge et Noir" is also included in a remix version recorded by Jeanne Mas on her album My 80's Remixes and More and carried out by Roberto Zaneli.

Chart performances

On the French SNEP Singles Chart, the single debuted at number 14 on 17 May 1986. It reached No. 1 seven weeks later and stayed at this position for two consecutive weeks. It had concurrently 16 weeks in the top 10 and 23 weeks in the top 50. It left the chart on 25 October 1986.[4]

It was not certified by the SNEP, although its sales are similar with those of its preceding hit "Johnny, Johnny" which was awarded Gold disc. With "En Rouge et Noir", Jeanne Mas became the first artist to take down a second number in France.[5][6]

According to the Infodisc Website, 832,000 copies of this song were sold and it is the 163rd best selling single of all time in France.[7]

Track listings

12" maxi

A-side :

1. "En Rouge et Noir" (special remix 1) – 5:00

B-side :

1. "En Rouge et Noir" (special remix 2) – 5:17

7" single

A-side :

1. "En Rouge et Noir" – 4:32

B-side :

1. "Plus forte que l'océan" – 4:09

Chart, certifications and sales

Chart (1986) Peak position Eurochart Hot 100 23 French SNEP Singles Chart[4] 1

Country Certification Date Sales certified France — — 832,000[8]

References

1. Jeanne Mas, Best of Lescharts.com (Retrieved 11 December 2007)
2. Various artists, Classiques 80 Lescharts.com (Retrieved 11 December 2007)
3. Various artists, Le Top : 20 ans de tubes, Vol. 1 Lescharts.com (Retrieved 11 December 2007)
4. "En Rouge et Noir", French Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved 11 December 2007)
5. Elia Habib, Muz hit. tubes, 1992, p. 79 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)
6. Alex P. King, Hit-parade, 20 ans de tubes, 2005, Pascal Ed., p. 8 (ISBN 978-2350190099) Vingt ans de tubes (Retrieved 23 April 2008)
7. Best selling singles of all time in France Infodisc.fr (Retrieved 11 December 2007)
8. Jeanne Mas' certifications and sales Infodisc.fr Archived 7 March 2012 at WebCite (Retrieved 11 December 2007)