"Étienne" is a 1987 song recorded by French artist

Guesch Patti Patricia Porrasse (born 16 March 1946), known professionally as Guesch Patti, is a French singer. Biography Early life Patti was born in Paris, France. She chose her artist name, ''Guesch'', from the nickname she had as a child. ''Patti'' is ...

, from her album, ''Labyrinthe''. It was released as her debut single in late 1987 in several European countries. Particularly famous for its suggestive music video which was censored on certain TV channels, the song was a great success in France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany where it was a top ten hit.

Critical reception

According to French charts expert Elia Habib, the success of this song results from an alchemy between several of its components, including "

's voice first, which makes a success of a very provocative interpretation of the song, alternating sensual moanings and passionate shouts; the text of course is full of suggestive sonorities; the music, which play a large part in the song's success in the production of the text, since the feline rhythmic of the intro until the nervous chord of the electrical guitar, and the videoclip, which is of an

erotic Eroticism () is a quality that causes sexual feelings, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality, and romantic love. That quality may be found in any form of artwork, including painting, sculp ...

esthetism carried by an arousing choreography". A review in Pan-European magazine ''

Music & Media ''Music & Media'' was a pan-European magazine for radio, music and entertainment. It was published for the first time in 1984 as ''Eurotipsheet'', but in 1986 it changed name to ''Music & Media''. It was originally based in Amsterdam, but later m ...

'' deemed the song an "intriguing, driving rock production from this French ballet dancer, choreographer and (powerful) vocalist. A sure shot for rock programmers with its dramatic build up and hypnotic guitars". Jerry Smith of ''

Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as ''Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music We ...

'' considered Patti as "the modern Piaf" who "delivers a fine and very sitinctive, warbling rendition" on this song.

Music video

The video clip, in which Patti carries out a striptease in front of some men, was censored on several French TV channels (but not on Canal +) and on

MTV Europe MTV Global (formerly MTV Europe) is the international version of the American TV channel MTV as 24-hour music video and entertainment pay television network officially launched on 1 August 1987 as part of the worldwide MTV network. Initia ...

, and only broadcast in the evening.

Chart performance and awards

"Étienne" won the Vincent Scotto prize in 1987 and was certified Gold Disc in 1988 by the French certifier, the

Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique SNEP (, in English National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing) is the inter-professional organisation that protects the interests of the French record industry. Originally known under the acronym SNICOP, the organisation was established in ...

. It entered the French top 50 Singles Chart on 14 November 1987 at number 24, peaked at number one for the five chart editions of January, before being replaced at this position by

Sabrina Sabrina may refer to: People and fictional characters * Sabrina (given name), a feminine given name, including a list of persons and fictional characters with the name * Hafren, known in English as Sabrina, a British princess in Welsh mythology ...

's hit " Boys (Summertime Love)", then remained on the chart for 23 weeks. Other countries where it was a top ten hit include Italy (number one), Switzerland (number three) and Austria (number six). On the

European Hot 100 Singles The European Hot 100 Singles was compiled by '' Billboard'' and ''Music & Media'' magazine from March 1984 until December 2010. The chart was based on national singles sales charts in 17 European countries: Austria, Belgium (two charts separately ...

, it debuted at number 67 on 14 November 1987, peaked for two weeks at number three, and remained on the chart for a total of 27 weeks, eight of them in the top ten. Much played on radio, it charted for ten weeks on the European Ariplay Top 50, with a peak at number eight in its seventh week.

Cover versions

"Étienne" was performed by Brigitte Fortin, Laurent's mother, in the French TV

reality show Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring ordinary people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 1990s ...

"Mon Incroyable Fiancé". It was also covered by Quentin Mosimann, winner of Star Academy 7, in a swing version, on his debut album ''Duel''. In 2022,

Afida Turner Afida Turner (born Hafidda Messaï; December 22, 1976) is a French media personality and singer. She has released two studio albums and several singles, singing both in French and in English. She has also appeared in small roles in multiple f ...

released her cover version as single.Afida Turner sort le single Etienne sur www.justmusic.fr
/ref>

Track listings

* 7" single # "Étienne" — 4:09 # "Un Espoir" — 4:00 * 12" maxi # "Étienne" (remix club) — 5:39 # "Étienne" (original version) — 4:09 # "Étienne" (English version) — 4:09 * 12" maxi - U.S. # "Étienne" (12" vocal) — 6:55 # "Étienne" (a cappella) — 4:12 # "Étienne" (album cut) — 4:14 # "Étienne" (instrumental) — 4:26

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Etienne (Song) 1987 debut singles 1988 singles Guesch Patti songs SNEP Top Singles number-one singles Number-one singles in Italy 1987 songs EMI Records singles French pop rock songs