"Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" (translation: ''"The Bicycles of Belsize"'') is a song written and composed by Les Reed and Barry Mason. Used as the theme song of the 1968 eponymous musical film, it was sung by Anthony May in the movie. As a 45-rpm single, it was a big hit that year, in parallel English and French versions, for Engelbert Humperdinck and

Mireille Mathieu Mireille Mathieu (; born 22 July 1946) is a French singer. She has recorded over 1200 songs in eleven languages, with more than 122 million records sold worldwide. Biography and career Early years Mireille Mathieu was born on 22 July 1946 in A ...

, respectively. The French version premiered on Mathieu's 1968 Columbia album ''Les Bicyclettes de Belsize;'' the English version premiered as a single in 1968, and was then included on Humperdinck's 1969 album ''Engelbert.'' Notwithstanding the song's French title, it and the rest of the 30-minute film were written in English. The British short subject is a nominal parody of the French feature film ''

Les Parapluies de Cherbourg ''The Umbrellas of Cherbourg'' (french: Les Parapluies de Cherbourg) is a 1964 musical romantic drama film written and directed by Jacques Demy, with music and lyrics by Michel Legrand. Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo star as two young ...

,'' to the extent that one can even sing the words "les parapluies de Cherbourg" to the same music. Though it was produced in 1968, the film was released theatrically in 1969, prompting some to think it was inspired by the song.

Notable releases

* Engelbert Humperdinck – "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" / "Three Little Words (I Love You)" - Decca F.12834 - 1968Discog
Engelbert Humperdinck – Les Bicyclettes De Belsize / Three Little Words (I Love You)
/ref> * Mireille Mathieu - Les Bicyclettes De Belsize/- 1968 * Nada - "Las bicicletas de Belsize" / Sony - 1969 * Alfredo – "Las bicicletas de Belsize" / Philips - 1969 * Waldo de los Rios – "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" / Instrumental * Nada Trio - "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" / Olis music 1998 * Marco T – "Las Bicicletas de Belsize" / Tulsan producciones - 2016

Charts

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bicyclettes de Belsize, Les Engelbert Humperdinck songs Songs about bicycles Songs about the United Kingdom 1968 singles Songs written by Les Reed (songwriter) Songs written by Barry Mason Decca Records singles 1968 songs Song recordings produced by Peter Sullivan (record producer)