I don’t know any other country where eighties music is still so much alive as in France. In each hypermarket (the main place to buy CD’s nowadays) there is a rack full of eighties compilations.

Of course, this also translates to contemporary music. Or in fact, the musical heritage of the eighties has been a part of French music throughout the decennia. Bands like Breakbot, Cassius, M83 and Phoenix are only a handful of acts that keep the spirit of 30 years ago alive.

And now, we can also add veteran Calogero to that list. His latest single Je Joue De La Musique (which means ‘I play music’) sounds like it has been beamed up from the past (which is partly correct; it was recorded in the legendary Abbey Road Studios). One can hear the aforementioned Phoenix in it and I can’t stop myself from throwing in the ‘lalala’ part of I Will Survive in the Hermes House Band version. Hopefully Je Joue De La Musique will be just as much a classic in its own right!

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.