Eurovision 2025: France's High Hopes with Louane's 'Maman'
Increasing French support for Eurovision as nation rallies behind Louane's 'Maman' performance
France's enthusiasm for Eurovision is heating up, and it looks like Louane's 'Maman' could be the tune to bring home the win! According to polls, 56% of the French population view the competition positively, with 40% planning to watch the grand finale in Basel.
Two-thirds of respondents appreciate Louane's entry this year, and a third believe it might secure the top spot. Bookmakers have placed France in third place, leaving plenty of room for excitement. Louane, known as Anne Edwige Maria Peichert, isn't afraid of a challenge and has already demonstrated her theatrics by performing high above the pitch during the Stade de France's Six Nations rugby tournament.
By incorporating a sandstorm (although it was actually cork shavings) on stage, Louane aims to symbolize her childhood sandpits. Speaking to Le Parisien, she shared her contentment with her performance, admitting she choked a bit at the end but shrugged it off with a cool attitude.
'Epic' Ballad Focuses on Motherhood
Louane rocketed to fame at just 16, making it to the semi-finals on The Voice and eventually winning a César Award - the French equivalent of the Oscars - for most promising actress in the 2014 film La Famille Bélier. The song 'Maman' serves as an open letter to both her late mother and her young daughter. Lyrics include poignant lines like, "I've changed a lot/I've grown up a lot/From you, I kept everything That makes me who I am."
In an interview with Eurovision, Louane shared that the song was written quickly last summer during a recording session for her latest album. She aimed to try something new while sticking to the ballad style she's known for. "Ballads are in my genes, but this is an 'epic ballad,' and that's something I've never done before." The song builds gradually, culminating in a climactic crescendo, making it particularly challenging for Louane vocally.
Can She Win?
With 25 other countries competing, France has its work cut out. The contest features Norway, Luxembourg, Estonia, Israel, Lithuania, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Austria, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Poland, Germany, Greece, Armenia, Switzerland, Malta, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, San Marino, and Albania. France will perform in the third-last spot, after Sweden. With so much talent on display, it remains to be seen if 'Maman' can emerge victorious.
The 2022 contest saw Sweden's KAJ take home the top honor with their humorous sauna-themed song, "Bara Bada Bastu." Although the popular vote can lead to unexpected surprises, France hasn't won since 1977, with Marie Myriam and her song "L'Oiseau et l'Enfant." Since then, France has averaged 12th place. However, it has been performing a little better lately, with a fourth-place finish in 2021's competition.
In 2022, Alvan & Ahez finished second to last with a performance in the regional Breton language. Singing in French this year, with its reputation for defending the national language, comes as little surprise. It's worth noting that no song sung in French has won Eurovision since 1988, but this year, five of the 26 entries are either in French or include French, including France's and Switzerland's entries. In fact, half of the entries are in languages other than English, with Italy and Ukraine both winning with non-English language songs in recent years.
France hasn't always had the best sense for a strong song. In 1983, Corinne Hermès' submission "Si la vie est cadeau" was turned down by the selection committee, so she offered it to Luxembourg - which went on to win the competition. If you're curious about Eurovision 2022's winning entry, it was Ukraine's "Stefania" by Kalush Orchestra. And remember, regional qualifiers are just the beginning - anything can happen on the big night!
[1] Eurovision, "Participating countries – Eurovision Song Contest 2023." Accessed March 8, 2023. https://www.eurovision.tv/participatingcountry[2] Eurovision, "Voting – Eurovision Song Contest 2023." Accessed March 8, 2023. https://www.eurovision.tv/about/ rules/voting[3] BBC, "Eurovision Song Contest 2022," March 8, 2023. https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/eurovision2022[4] BBC, "A brief history of the Eurovision Song Contest." Accessed March 8, 2023. https://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/music/20878957[5] Independent, "The Eurovision Song Contest." Accessed March 8, 2023. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/eurovision-song-contest-history-how-it-works-info-guide-winners-how-to-vote-a9268591.html
- Given France's high hopes for Louane's 'Maman' and the 56% of the French population viewing the Eurovision competition positively, it seems that the culture of music and pop-culture holds a significant place in the domestic entertainment landscape of France.
- This year's Eurovision contest features a diverse range of countries, including Israel, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, showcasing a global melting pot of talent and culture.
- Interestingly, half of the entries in this year's Eurovision Song Contest will be in languages other than English, including French, exemplifying the international language diversity in the entertainment field.
- In light of the cultural significance behind France's entries and the growing global acceptance of non-English language songs, such as Ukraine's winning song in recent years, France's 'Maman' may have a stronger chance of emerging victorious in the competition.
- With so much regional and cultural representation in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, it will be fascinating to observe how music serves as a diplomatic tool, bridging gaps and fostering understanding among different nations.
