1988 single by Début de Soirée
"Nuit de folie" (French pronunciation: [nɥi də fɔli], literally "Night of madness") is a 1988 popular song recorded by French pop duet Début de Soirée. It was their debut single from their album Jardins d'enfants and was released in June 1988. In France, it became the summer hit of the year, topping the chart for over two months. It was re-released in 2000 in a remixed version, but it did not reach success.
Background
The song, written and composed by both members of the duet, was especially created to become a summer hit, although the song was actually released for the first time in 1984 as a B-side, but passed unnoticed at the time. It was very difficult to find a record company, because nobody believed in the potential of the song, but a contract was eventually signed with Sony. In 1988, the song was also much promoted by the band in many TV shows. According to Elia Habib, an expert of French charts, the song is characterized by a "rapid and lively rhythm, a very simple refrain therefore easy to remember, a tune that becomes embedded in the eardrums, lyrics referring to summer festive atmosphere". It also contains a brief bridge sung in a rap version, just before the last refrain.[1] The song composed in 1984 had no success at first. The arrangements of the best known version of 1988 come from German singer Patty Ryan's song "You're My Love, You're My Life".
The duet's second single, "La Vie la nuit", released in December 1988, used around the end of the song a sample from the introduction of "Nuit de folie".
Music video
In the music video for "Nuit de folie", the two singers perform a choreography on "shimmering backgrounds", in an "astonishing variety of head to foot positions".[1] They are accompanied by three women, each with a plain dress in a different colour. During the last refrain, two couples are formed, and the obese woman remains alone. The music video is now considered old-fashioned[1] and in an interview, both singers admitted that they do not like to see it aired on TV because they find it antiquated.
Critical reception
A review in Pan-European magazine Music & Media described "Nuit de folie" as a production from the "French equivalent of Modern Talking" and "a typical good-time summer hit" with "an inescapable hook and a nice pop rap in the middle (no.1 in France). A massive European hit!"[2] In another issue of the magazine, it is stated: "One cannot resist being infatuated when hearing [this] pop disco single", adding that it has "one of the most charming choruses to be heard for a long time" with an "unpretentious, but highly convincing production".[3]
Chart performance
In France, "Nuit de folie" entered the singles chart at number 39 on 11 June 1988, climbed quickly and reached number one in its sixth and stayed atop for consecutive nine weeks. After being dislodged by Elsa and Glenn Medeiros's hit "Un Roman d'amitié (Friend You Give Me a Reason)", it stayed for other five weeks at number two, and totalled 22 weeks in the top ten and 30 weeks in the top 50.[4] It was certified Platinum disc by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique for over one million units.[5] In Belgium (Wallonia), it topped the chart for non consecutive seven weeks,[6] in alternance with "Un Roman d'amitié (Friend You Give Me a Reason)", and remained in the top three for 14 weeks. In addition, it was a top ten hit in Flanders and a top 25 in the Netherlands.[7][8] On the European Hot 100 Singles, it debuted at number 89 on 2 July 1988, reached a peak of number three in its 13th week,[9] and fall of the chart after 26 weeks of presence, 11 of them in the top ten.
The song was later released in remixed versions for discothèques, first in 1995, then in 2000; however, both versions were commercial failures.
