"Michèle" is a song by French singer

Gérard Lenorman Gérard Lenorman (born 9 February 1945) is a French singer-songwriter. Lenorman was born at the Château de Bénouville, Calvados (Normandy) when it was a maternity hospital. He is the son of Madeleine Lenormand and an unknown German soldier. ...

released in early 1976 as the first

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

from his album ''Drôles de chansons''. The song tells the story of two Parisian high school students who experience their first love between the ages of 15 and 17.

Composition

The lyrics were written by

Didier Barbelivien Didier René Henri Barbelivien (; born 10 March 1954 in Paris) is a French author, lyricist, songwriter and singer. Beginning in the 1970s, he wrote a number of successful songs for artists such as: Dalida, Johnny Hallyday, Michel Sardou, Danie ...

and are autobiographical. The music was composed by Michel Cywie. Originally, the song was to be titled "Marcelle", but when Barbelivien showed it to Lenorman, the singer instantly decided to rename it to "Michèle" as a tribute to

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

and also because, as he said, the name "goes so well with the song". At first, the lyricist declined, saying that Michèle was his aunt's name. Lenorman recalls: "I'm replying to him that, well, it is not my aunt's name and that 'Marcelle' won't do it at all." Then, Barbelivien said he was worried about the similarity to the title of The Beatles' song " Michelle". But Lenorman insisted and assured the lyricist that "in six months The Beatles will be so over". In fact, the song has been mistaken for a cover of The Beatles' "Michelle". Moreover, its lyrics mention The Beatles' song " Yesterday".

Reception

The song spent 13 weeks on the French chart in February–May 1976.

Charts

References

External links

''The Secret Life of Songs'': Gérard Lenorman "Michelle"
on YouTube (in French) {{authority control French pop songs Pop ballads 1970s ballads 1976 songs 1976 singles Gérard Lenorman songs CBS Records singles Songs written by Didier Barbelivien