French singer defends largely English Eurovision song
Says he will consider adding more French lyrics
Last Updated: Thursday, April 17, 2008 | 2:42 PM ET
CBC News
The performer at the centre of a French storm over his predominantly English-language song — selected to represent France at next month's Eurovision contest — said he is considering a few modifications.
In an interview with France's RTL radio on Thursday, electro-pop singer Sebastien Tellier said he could add some French lyrics to his song Divine, a track off his recently released album Sexuality.
Sebastien Tellier says he is considering adding more French to his song Divine, France's Eurovision pick and a target for criticism for its predominantly English lyrics.
(Laurent Bochet/Record Makers/Associated Press)
"If I had been asked to do a song expressly for Eurovision, I clearly would have done something in French," Tellier said.
"If it makes everyone happy, of course I'll make an effort [to add more French]," Tellier added. "I'm not dense."
However, the singer disagreed with critics who have said that choosing a song with mostly English lyrics is an insult to French culture and the French language.
Singing in English doesn't mean that "the baguette won't taste as good," Tellier said.
Several French politicians and language purists have publicly criticized public TV station France-3's choice of Tellier's song as the country's official entry for the annual Eurovision Song Contest. They have called on France-3 to pick another song.
In the past, Eurovision organizers required competitors to sing in the official language (or one of the official languages) of their country. However, this rule was most recently lifted in the late 1990s.
A large percentage of each year's competitors sing in English, regardless of what country they represent.
Singers representing 43 countries will take part in the long-running TV singing competition, which first hit the airwaves in 1956. More than 100 million viewers tune into the contest each year, with voting done by telephone and text messaging.
The semi-finals for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest are May 20 and 22, with the final set for live broadcast May 24.
