Jump to content

Comment te dire adieu: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 49: Line 49:
| Italic title=no
| Italic title=no
}}
}}
"'''Comment te dire adieu'''" ([[English language|English]]: "How to Say Goodbye to You") is a French adaptation of the song "'''It Hurts to Say Goodbye'''". It was recorded by [[Françoise Hardy]] in 1968<ref name=a>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/44760 |title=Original versions of Comment te dire adieu by Françoise Hardy |website=SecondHandSongs.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-01}}</ref> and remains one of Hardy's most popular songs.
"'''Comment te dire adieu'''" ([[English language|English]]: "How to Say Goodbye to You") is a French adaptation of the song "'''It Hurts to Say Goodbye'''". It was originally recorded by [[Françoise Hardy]] in 1968.


⚫
''It Hurts To Say Goodbye'', was written by [[Arnold Goland]], probably best known for his co-operation with [[Phil Spector]], and the American producer and songwriter Jacob "Jack" Gold (1921-1992) and in 1966 recorded by [[Margaret Whiting]] on her album ''The Wheel of Hurt''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/44754 |title=Cover versions of It Hurts to Say Goodbye by Margaret Whiting |website=SecondHandSongs.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-01}}</ref> In 1967 a release by [[Vera Lynn]] reached #7 in Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p26680/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} Vera Lynn - Billboard Singles], [[Allmusic]]. Accessed on line May 5, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/44755 |title=Original versions of It Hurts to Say Goodbye by Vera Lynn |website=SecondHandSongs.com |date=1967-01-06 |accessdate=2016-10-01}}</ref>
==Background==
⚫
The song, originally called "It Hurts To Say Goodbye", was written by [[Arnold Goland]], who is considered a major factor in the creation of [[Phil Spector]]'s "[[Wall of Sound]]", and the American producer and songwriter Jacob "Jack" Gold (1921-1992) and was initially recorded by [[Margaret Whiting]] on her album ''The Wheel of Hurt'' in 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/44754 |title=Cover versions of It Hurts to Say Goodbye by Margaret Whiting |website=SecondHandSongs.com |date= |accessdate=2016-10-01}}</ref> In 1967 a release by [[Vera Lynn]] reached #7 in Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.<ref>[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p26680/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} Vera Lynn - Billboard Singles], [[Allmusic]]. Accessed on line May 5, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/44755 |title=Original versions of It Hurts to Say Goodbye by Vera Lynn |website=SecondHandSongs.com |date=1967-01-06 |accessdate=2016-10-01}}</ref>


These versions were interpreted in the style of a [[ballad]], as was the first French version of the song with a text by [[Michèle Vendôme ]] titled ''Avant de dire adieu'' which was released in 1967 by [[Ginette Reno]] with her album ''Quelqu'un à aimer''. More beat driven were the instrumental interpretations by Brazil's [[Walter Wanderley]] and the Frenchman [[Caravelli]], both published in the same year. ''Jack Gold Orchestra & Chorus'' peaked with their version in mid-1969 on #28 of the Billboard [[Easy Listening]] charts.
These versions were interpreted in the style of a [[ballad]], as was the first French version of the song with a text by [[Michèle Vendôme ]] titled ''Avant de dire adieu'' which was released in 1967 by [[Ginette Reno]] with her album ''Quelqu'un à aimer''. More beat driven were the instrumental interpretations by Brazil's [[Walter Wanderley]] and the Frenchman [[Caravelli]], both published in the same year. ''Jack Gold Orchestra & Chorus'' peaked with their version in mid-1969 on #28 of the Billboard [[Easy Listening]] charts.


Françoise Hardy heard an "American instrumental version" of the song and her manager asked [[Serge Gainsbourg]] to provide suitable lyrics for it.<ref>p. 50, ''Serge Gainsbourg: a fistful of gitanes: requiem for a twister'', Sylvie Simmons, Da Capo Press, 2002, {{ISBN|0-306-81183-9}}.</ref> The resultant "Comment te dire adieu", was comnbined with an arrangement relatively closer to the Caravelli version and included on Hardy's [[Françoise Hardy (1968 album)|1968 album]].<ref name=a /> Hardy also recorded the song in [[Italian language|Italian]] (''"Il pretesto"'', 1968) and [[German language|German]] (''"Was mach' ich ohne dich"'', 1970; collected in the album ''[[Träume]]'', 1970.) The lyrics are notable for their uncommon rhymes in "ex", within the subject of the song having a sense of "ex" as in "ex-boyfriend".
Françoise Hardy heard an "American instrumental version" of the song and her manager asked [[Serge Gainsbourg]] to provide suitable lyrics for it.<ref>p. 50, ''Serge Gainsbourg: a fistful of gitanes: requiem for a twister'', Sylvie Simmons, Da Capo Press, 2002, {{ISBN|0-306-81183-9}}.</ref> The resultant "Comment te dire adieu", was comnbined with an arrangement relatively closer to the Caravelli version and included on Hardy's [[Françoise Hardy (1968 album)|1968 album]]. Hardy also recorded the song in [[Italian language|Italian]] (''"Il pretesto"'', 1968) and [[German language|German]] (''"Was mach' ich ohne dich"'', 1970; collected in the album ''[[Träume]]'', 1970.) The French lyrics are notable for their uncommon rhymes in "ex", within the subject of the song having a sense of "ex" as in "ex-boyfriend".


Amongst the more recent versions of the song is a German version with a new text, titled ''Ich sage dir adieu'', released by veteran Greek-German singer [[Vicky Leandros]] on her 2010 album ''Zeitlos''.
Amongst the more recent versions of the song is a German version with a new text, titled ''Ich sage dir adieu'', released by veteran Greek-German singer [[Vicky Leandros]] on her 2010 album ''Zeitlos''.
Line 152: Line 151:


==Other cover versions==
==Other cover versions==
Apart from Jimmy Somerville, a number of artists have covered the song:
* 1967: [[Walter Wanderley]], a Brazilian organist, recorded an instrumental cover of the song on his album ''Batucada''.
* 1967: [[Walter Wanderley]], a Brazilian organist, recorded an instrumental cover of the song on his album ''Batucada''.
* 1967: [[Caravelli]] and his orchestra released an instrumental version on the album ''Eloïse''.
* 1967: [[Caravelli]] and his orchestra released an instrumental version on the album ''Eloïse''.
Line 161: Line 159:
* 1987: [[Taxi Girl]]'s frontman [[Daniel Darc]], collected on ''Sous influence divine''.
* 1987: [[Taxi Girl]]'s frontman [[Daniel Darc]], collected on ''Sous influence divine''.
* 1996: [[Jane Birkin]], published an "arabesque version" on her album ''Versions Jane''.
* 1996: [[Jane Birkin]], published an "arabesque version" on her album ''Versions Jane''.
* * 1999: A new Czech version by [[Ilona Csáková]] titled ''Jedno Tajemství'' ("A Secret") released on the album ''Blízká i vzdálená''.
* 1999: A new Czech version by [[Ilona Csáková]] titled ''Jedno Tajemství'' ("A Secret") released on the album ''Blízká i vzdálená''.
* 2001: A cover arranged by [[Tomosuke Funaki]], and sung by Shizue Tokui (as Orange Lounge), appeared in ''[[beatmania IIDX]] 6th style''.
* 2001: A cover arranged by [[Tomosuke Funaki]], and sung by Shizue Tokui (as Orange Lounge), appeared in ''[[beatmania IIDX]] 6th style''.
* 2003: French cover by Annie and Valérie, two contestants of [[Star Academy (France)|Star Academy 3]] and included on the album ''Star Academy fait sa bamba''.<ref>''Star Academy fait sa Bamba'', track listing and charts [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?key=4686&cat=a Lescharts.com] (Retrieved October 3, 2008)</ref>
* 2003: French cover by Annie and Valérie, two contestants of [[Star Academy (France)|Star Academy 3]] and included on the album ''Star Academy fait sa bamba''.<ref>''Star Academy fait sa Bamba'', track listing and charts [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?key=4686&cat=a Lescharts.com] (Retrieved October 3, 2008)</ref>
Line 169: Line 167:
* 2012: English cover by [[Julian Ovenden]].
* 2012: English cover by [[Julian Ovenden]].
* 2016: Cover by Belgian singer [[Kate Ryan]].
* 2016: Cover by Belgian singer [[Kate Ryan]].

== Usage in film and television ==
* 2014: ''Falling Star'' ("Stella cadente" / Spain) / "Comment te dire adieu"
* 2013: ''Coming out'' (Hungary) / "It hurts to say goodbye" (Saxophone version)
* 2009: ''The Island Inside'' ("La isla interior" / Spain) / "Comment te dir adieu"
* 2004: ''Ferpect Crime'' ("Crimen ferpecto" / Spain/Italy) / "Comment te dire adieu"
* 1972: ''A Revolta dos Anjos'' ("Revolt of the Angels / TV Series/Brazil) / "Comment te dire adieu"


==References==
==References==
Line 174: Line 179:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.fhardy.de/text/comment_te_dire_adieu.html Françoise Hardy, "Comment te dire adieu"]
* ''[http://www.fhardy.de/text/comment_te_dire_adieu.html Françoise Hardy, "Comment te dire adieu"]'', Lyrics on German fan site, (per 12 November 2017)
* ''[https://www.discogs.com/artist/269325-Jack-Gold?filter_anv=0&subtype=Writing-Arrangement&type=Credits Jack Gold Discography, Writing-Arrangement Credits]'', [[Discogs]], (per 12 November 2017)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070814004651/http://www.jimmysomerville.net/discographie/discographie.htm Jimmy Somerville discography]
* ''[https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/44754 Cover versions of It Hurts to Say Goodbye by Margaret Whiting]'', SecondHandSongs, (per 12 November 2017)
* ''[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0324883/ Arnold Goland]'', [[IMDb]], (per 12 November 2017)


{{Françoise Hardy}}
{{Françoise Hardy}}

Revision as of 11:58, 10 November 2017

"Comment te dire adieu"
Song
B-side"L'Anamour"[1]
Untitled

"Comment te dire adieu" (English: "How to Say Goodbye to You") is a French adaptation of the song "It Hurts to Say Goodbye". It was originally recorded by Françoise Hardy in 1968.

It Hurts To Say Goodbye, was written by Arnold Goland, probably best known for his co-operation with Phil Spector, and the American producer and songwriter Jacob "Jack" Gold (1921-1992) and in 1966 recorded by Margaret Whiting on her album The Wheel of Hurt.[3] In 1967 a release by Vera Lynn reached #7 in Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.[4][5]

These versions were interpreted in the style of a ballad, as was the first French version of the song with a text by Michèle Vendôme titled Avant de dire adieu which was released in 1967 by Ginette Reno with her album Quelqu'un à aimer. More beat driven were the instrumental interpretations by Brazil's Walter Wanderley and the Frenchman Caravelli, both published in the same year. Jack Gold Orchestra & Chorus peaked with their version in mid-1969 on #28 of the Billboard Easy Listening charts.

Françoise Hardy heard an "American instrumental version" of the song and her manager asked Serge Gainsbourg to provide suitable lyrics for it.[6] The resultant "Comment te dire adieu", was comnbined with an arrangement relatively closer to the Caravelli version and included on Hardy's 1968 album. Hardy also recorded the song in Italian ("Il pretesto", 1968) and German ("Was mach' ich ohne dich", 1970; collected in the album Träume, 1970.) The French lyrics are notable for their uncommon rhymes in "ex", within the subject of the song having a sense of "ex" as in "ex-boyfriend".

Amongst the more recent versions of the song is a German version with a new text, titled Ich sage dir adieu, released by veteran Greek-German singer Vicky Leandros on her 2010 album Zeitlos.

Formats and track listings

French SP

  • Production Asparagus/Disques Vogue/Vogue international industries (V.45-1552), 1968.
    • A-side: "Comment te dire adieu" ("It Hurts to Say Goodbye"), (ad. lyrics from Jack Gold: Serge Gainsbourg / music: Arnold Goland, arr. S. Gainsbourg) – 2:25
    • B-side: "L’Anamour" (lyrics and music: Serge Gainsbourg) – 2:14

English SP

  • Asparagus Production/United Artists (UP 35011 ), 1969.
    • A-side: "Comment te dire adieu" ("It Hurts to Say Goodbye"), (ad. lyrics from Jack Gold: Serge Gainsbourg / music: Arnold Goland, arr. S. Gainsbourg) – 2:25
    • B-side: "La Mer, les étoiles et le vent" (lyrics and music: Françoise Hardy) – 1:50

French EP

  • Production Asparagus/disques Vogue/Vogue international industries (EPL 8652), 1968.
    • A1: "Comment te dire adieu" ("It Hurts to Say Goodbye"), (ad. lyrics from Jack Gold: Serge Gainsbourg / music: Arnold Goland, arr. S. Gainsbourg) – 2:25
    • A2: "Il vaut mieux une petite maison dans la main, qu’un grand château dans les nuages" (lyrics: Jean-Max Rivière / music: Gérard Bourgeois) – 2:23
    • B1: "Suzanne", (ad. lyrics from Leonard Cohen: Graeme Allwright / music: L. Cohen) – 3:08
    • B2: "La Mer, les étoiles et le vent" (lyrics and music: Françoise Hardy) – 1:50

Jimmy Somerville version

"Comment te dire adieu"
Song
B-side"Tell the World"

In 1989 it was covered by former Bronski Beat and Communards singer Jimmy Somerville, as a duet with June Miles-Kingston. The song was a hit in the UK, reaching #14 on the UK singles chart, helping Somerville's solo career take off.

Track listing

7" single
  1. "Comment te dire adieu (7" version) — 3:35
  2. "Tell the World" — 4:12

Certifications

Country Certification Date Sales certified
France[7] Silver 1990 200,000

Charts

Chart (1989/90) Peak
position
Dutch Mega Top 100[8] 26
French SNEP Singles Chart[8] 3
German Singles Chart[8] 25
Irish Singles Chart[9] 3
UK Singles Chart[10] 14

Other cover versions

  • 1967: Walter Wanderley, a Brazilian organist, recorded an instrumental cover of the song on his album Batucada.
  • 1967: Caravelli and his orchestra released an instrumental version on the album Eloïse.
  • 1969: Anni-Frid Lyngstad, later a member of ABBA, recorded the song in Swedish as Så synd du måste gå ("So sad you have to go"); also published on her album Anni-Frid Lyngstad of 1972.
  • 1973: Czech recording by Hana Hegerová titled Rýmováni o životě ("Rhyming about life").
  • 1974: Russian version Моя мечта ("My dream") by Aida Vedishcheva.
  • 1985: Jun Togawa recorded a Japanese version, さよならをおしえて (Sayonara wo oshiete, literally "Tell me goodbye"; 1985).
  • 1987: Taxi Girl's frontman Daniel Darc, collected on Sous influence divine.
  • 1996: Jane Birkin, published an "arabesque version" on her album Versions Jane.
  • 1999: A new Czech version by Ilona Csáková titled Jedno Tajemství ("A Secret") released on the album Blízká i vzdálená.
  • 2001: A cover arranged by Tomosuke Funaki, and sung by Shizue Tokui (as Orange Lounge), appeared in beatmania IIDX 6th style.
  • 2003: French cover by Annie and Valérie, two contestants of Star Academy 3 and included on the album Star Academy fait sa bamba.[11]
  • 2009: Amanda Lear recorded her version for her double-cd Brief Encounters in 2009.
  • 2011: A cover of the french version with the lyrics sung by Berry was released by Germany's Blank & Jones on their CD Relax Edition Six
  • 2012: Meg, a Japanese singer, covered the song in French for her album La Japonaise in 2012.
  • 2012: English cover by Julian Ovenden.
  • 2016: Cover by Belgian singer Kate Ryan.

Usage in film and television

  • 2014: Falling Star ("Stella cadente" / Spain) / "Comment te dire adieu"
  • 2013: Coming out (Hungary) / "It hurts to say goodbye" (Saxophone version)
  • 2009: The Island Inside ("La isla interior" / Spain) / "Comment te dir adieu"
  • 2004: Ferpect Crime ("Crimen ferpecto" / Spain/Italy) / "Comment te dire adieu"
  • 1972: A Revolta dos Anjos ("Revolt of the Angels / TV Series/Brazil) / "Comment te dire adieu"

References

  1. ^ Serge Gainsbourg Archived 2009-05-28 at the Wayback Machine, biography, RFI Musique. Accessed on line May 7, 2009.
  2. ^ On this label there is a mistake in the firstname of one of the authors of the song; we should read A. Goland instead of G. Goland.
  3. ^ "Cover versions of It Hurts to Say Goodbye by Margaret Whiting". SecondHandSongs.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  4. ^ Vera Lynn - Billboard Singles, Allmusic. Accessed on line May 5, 2009.
  5. ^ "Original versions of It Hurts to Say Goodbye by Vera Lynn". SecondHandSongs.com. 1967-01-06. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  6. ^ p. 50, Serge Gainsbourg: a fistful of gitanes: requiem for a twister, Sylvie Simmons, Da Capo Press, 2002, ISBN 0-306-81183-9.
  7. ^ French certifications Chartsinfrance.net (Retrieved October 3, 2008)
  8. ^ a b c "Comment te dire adieu", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved October 3, 2008)
  9. ^ Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie Archived 2009-06-03 at WebCite (Retrieved October 3, 2008)
  10. ^ "Comment te dire adieu", UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved October 3, 2008)
  11. ^ Star Academy fait sa Bamba, track listing and charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved October 3, 2008)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Comment_te_dire_adieu&oldid=809633402"