Alexandrie Alexandra

"Alexandrie Alexandra"
Single by Claude François
from the album Magnolias for Ever
B-side"Ève"
Released15 March 1978 (1978-03-15)
Recorded31 October 1977
StudioTrident, London
GenreDisco
Length4:21
LabelFlèche
Songwriter(s)
Claude François singles chronology
"Bordeaux Rosé"
(1978) 		"Alexandrie Alexandra"
(1978) 		"I'm Leaving for the Last Time"
(1978)

"Alexandrie Alexandra" is a song by French singer Claude François, released in March 1978 as a single from his final studio album Magnolias for Ever. The single topped the French charts for several charts and has gone on to become one of his most popular songs.[1]

Background

In 1977, whilst in France to promote his latest album, Peddlin' Music on the Side, Lamont Dozier met François on the television show Musique and Music. The two became friends and François invited Dozier to have dinner at his home, the Moulin de Dannemois, where he introduced him to composer Jean-Pierre Bourtayre. After eating, Dozier played the introduction to his song "Going Back to My Roots" (which would later become popularised by Odyssey in 1981). The introduction later inspired François to write "Alexandrie Alexandra".[2] The lyrics were written by Étienne Roda-Gil, who had previously refused to work with François as he wanted to write intellectual and meaningful songs rather than popular songs.[3][4] However, after realising that he had no reason to be a "snob", Roda-Gil decided to write lyrics for several of François' songs. François did not understand all the metaphorical subtleties of the lyrics for "Alexandrie Alexandra", and he tongue-in-cheek told Roda-Gil that it would be the first time he would sing a song without understanding the lyrics.[3]

Recording and release

"Alexandrie Alexandra" was recorded on 31 October 1977 at Trident Studios in London.[5][6] It was first released on François' album Magnolias for Ever in December 1977. For the single, the song was mixed by Bernard Estardy on 9 February 1978 at CBE Studios in Paris.[7] François died due to accidental electrocution on 11 March 1978 and his funeral took place several days later on 15 March. This was also the date "Alexandrie Alexandra" was released as a single, though this was more than likely a coincidence rather than a commercial strategy from the record label. There is no doubt, however, that François' death help propel sales of the single with an estimated 1.6 million copies within a month of its release.[7]

In March 1998, a techno remix of "Alexandrie Alexandra" was released as a twentieth anniversary single. It peaked at number 45 on the French Singles Chart.[8] For the fortieth anniversary, an extended version of the song was released digitally in December 2017, and two further releases came in early 2018.[9] A selection of remixes were also released in July 2023.[10]

The song was part of the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.[11]

Personnel

Musicians[5][6]

Technical

  • Stephen W Tayler – mixing
  • Bernard Estardy – mixing
  • Slim Pezin – rhythm section arrangements
  • Raymond Donnez – brass and strings arrangements
  • Léonard de Raemy – photography

Charts

References

  1. ^ a b "TOP Hebdo – 1er avril 1978". top-france.fr. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  2. ^ ""DISCO" CLOCLO (2ème partie)". LA MUSIQUE POUR TOUJOURS (in French). Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Rimbault, Alain (1 May 2024). Souvenirs & confidences - Volume II (in French). Le Lys Bleu Éditions. ISBN 979-10-422-2456-1.
  4. ^ Ichbiah, Daniel (2012). 50 ans de chansons françaises (in French). Daniel Ichbiah. ISBN 979-10-91410-16-8.
  5. ^ a b Chevallier, Philippe (1 March 2017). La chanson exactement. L'art difficile de Claude François (in French). Humensis. ISBN 978-2-13-079487-5.
  6. ^ a b Alexandrie Alexandra (sleeve). Warner Music France. 2018. 0190295713195.
  7. ^ a b Lecoeuvre, Fabien (12 March 2015). Le petit Lecoeuvre illustré: Dictionnaire. Histoire des chansons de A à Z (in French). Editions du Rocher. ISBN 978-2-268-08052-9.
  8. ^ a b "Claude François – Alexandrie Alexandra" (in French). Les classement single.
  9. ^ "Alexandrie Alexandra (Mix 40ème Anniversaire) (Version Longue)". Discogs. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Alexandrie Alexandra (Mixes & Remixes)". Discogs. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  11. ^ @Olympics (27 July 2024). "The world is a stage, and Paris is a catwalk. The #OpeningCeremony is France's largest nightclub. Celebrities are showcasing young French designer talent, while DJ Barbara Butch provides the tunes. The perfect moment for the last delegations to arrive. #Paris2024" (Tweet). Retrieved 27 July 2024 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "Claude François – Alexandrie Alexandra" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ "Claude François – Alexandrie Alexandra" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  14. ^ "TOP - 1978". top-france.fr. Retrieved 22 August 2024.