"Le métèque"
Single by Georges Moustaki
from the album Georges Moustaki
B-side"Voyage"
Released1969
Recorded1969
GenreChanson
Length2:30
LabelPolydor - 59 304
Songwriter(s)Georges Moustaki
Producer(s)Jacques Bedos, Henri Belolo

"Le métèque" is a French chanson by Georges Moustaki (1934–2013). He wrote it in 1969, and it was his first breakthrough hit, reaching number one in the French charts for six non-consecutive weeks. Before this song he had written for many singers, including "Milord" for Édith Piaf.[1] He recorded an Italian version titled "Lo straniero", which became the best-selling record of 1969 in Italy.[2]

Métèque is a pejorative word for a shifty-looking immigrant of Mediterranean origin.

Other versions

  • The song has been translated into several languages.
  • 1968 - Pia Colombo album A L'Olympia (Disc'Az – LPS 25)
  • 1969 - Caravelli album Caravelli (CBS Records International – S 7–63687)
  • 1969 - Manu Dibango album Manu Dibango (Mercury Records – 135.717 MCY)
  • 1969 - Georges Jouvin album Trompette d'or (La Voix de son maître - 2C 062–10278)
  • 1969 - Dominique Bellot featuring Orchestre Bernard Wystraëte album Hits Variety N° 1 (AFA – 20 728)
  • 1970 - Bobby Solo, lyrics by Bruno Lauzi, album Bobby Folk (Dischi Ricordi – 23 23 004), published in Spain
  • 1970 - The Musicos album Discothèque N° 2 (Concert Hall Society – SMS-15017)
  • 1970 - Tanju Okan, lyrics by Nino Varon, with the title Hasret (Yonca Plakçılık Ve Reklamcılık – YCA-010)
  • 1971 - Herman Van Keeken album Herman Van Keeken (Nap – 2935 001), published in The Netherlands
  • Greek singer George Dalaras recorded a Greek version "O Metoikos" with new lyrics by Dimitris Christodoulou in 1971.[3]
  • 1972 - Melina Mercouri with the title O metikos, lyrics by D. Christodoulou, album Melina Mercouri (Polydor – 23 93 027), published in Spain, Germany, Canada and United Kingdom
  • 1972 - Yossi Banai with the title פרצוף של צועני (face of a gypsy), lyrics by Nisim Aloni, Album 'face of a gypsy', published inisrael
  • 1978 - De Strangers with the title De gastarbeider, lyrics by Lex Colman; album Goe zot (Decca Records - DEC 193.500 K), published in Belgium
  • 1982 - Dennie Christian with the title Voor zoiets is het nooit te laat, lyrics by David Hartsema, album Vriendschap (Polydor – 2925–134), published in The Netherlands
  • 1986 - Stranger Alex with the title De gastarbeider, lyrics by Lex Colman; album Helemaal Alleen Op Z'n Eentje (Dureco Benelux – 66063), published in Belgium
  • 1986 - Utako Watanabe album Devo tornare a casa mia (Omagatoki – SC 5005), published in Japan
  • 1988 - Manolo album Manolo (Discadanse – D 76), published in France
  • 1991 - Luc et Patrick, album Les troubadours des temps modernes (Luc – 1691), published in Switzerland
  • Moustaki recorded an Italian version with lyrics translated by Bruno Lauzi. His rendition of this version was released in 1969 as a single titled "Lo straniero" (B-side "Giuseppe"), with arrangement by Alain Goraguer.[4] It reached number one on the Italian charts,[5] and became the best-selling record of the year in Italy.[6] In 1970, Moustaki's recording won the Mostra internazionale di musica leggera (Gondola d'oro) in Venice as the best-selling record of 1969.[2]

Charts

Chart (1969) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[7] 2
France (Hit Parade)[8] 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[5] 1
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[9] 29
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[10] 73

References

  1. ↑ Marcelline Block; Michaël Abecassis, eds. (11 June 2018). An Anthology of French and Francophone Singers from A to Z. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. p. 493. ISBN 9781527512054.
  2. 1 2 "Venice Boosts Strained Italian Disk Industry". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1970-10-10. p. 84.
  3. ↑ Kasimis, Demetra (2018). The Perpetual Immigrant and the Limits of Athenian Democracy. Cambridge University Press. p. ix. ISBN 9781107052437.
  4. ↑ "Discografia Nazionale della canzone italiana". discografia.dds.it. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  5. 1 2 "Hits of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 1969-12-27. p. 41.
  6. ↑ Lauzi, Bruno (2020). Ricomporre armonie (Poesie 1992 - 2006). Oltre Edizioni. ISBN 9788899932978.
  7. ↑ "Georges Moustaki – Le Métèque" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  8. ↑ "Hits of the World". Billboard. 7 June 1969. p. 63.
  9. ↑ "Georges Moustaki – Le Métèque" Canciones Top 50.
  10. ↑ "Georges Moustaki – Le Métèque". Swiss Singles Chart.
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