Wildcard (week 51):
Grand Corps Malade – Pas Essentiel
Grand Corps Maladeās lyrics arenāt socially critical per se, but Fabien MarsaudĀ (his real name) wears his heart on his sleeve. His April single Effets Secondaires (āside effectsā) for instance, was a COVID charity track. Applauding the real heroes of the Corona crisis, the healthcare workers, all proceeds were donated to two French hospitals.
The same crisis was the inspiration for GCMās new single, but this time, he points the camera at the cultural sector. In his home country France, like in most of the rest of the world, theatres and venues are closed. Not only out of fear of being potential virus āsuper spreadersā, but also because the governments label them ānot essentialā. GCM opposes that view. In a French newspaper, he calls it cruel and unfair. āIt made me want to speak up about all of those things that may seem non essential, but in the end make life worth living.ā Elsewhere, he calls the song āan ode to freedomā.
GCM wrote the track only at the end of November, with Swiss DJ/producerĀ Quentin Mosimann. It contains a repetitive chorus that sticks in your brain. But even more clever is the incorporation of the whistle from Break Machineās 1984 hit Street Dance.
Two weeks ago, An Open Letter To Creatives by The Lottery Winners was the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. Grand Corps Maladeās new single is an equally heart-felt track, but about the cultural sector. I couldnāt agree more with the message of this song. Thatās why Pas Essentiel is this weekās Wildcard!
Recommended as well:
Grand Corps Malade – Effets Secondaires
In the Wildcards 2020 playlist youāll find all of this yearās Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.

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.
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