Le ballet
| "Le ballet" | |
|---|---|
| Promotional single by Celine Dion | |
| from the album D'eux | |
| Language | French |
| Released | January 1996 |
| Recorded | November–December 1994 |
| Studio | Méga (Paris) |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:26 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Songwriter | Jean-Jacques Goldman |
| Producers |
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| Audio video | |
| "Le ballet" on YouTube | |
"Le ballet" (lit. 'The ballet') is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion from her thirteenth studio album, D'eux (1995). It was written by Jean-Jacques Goldman and produced by Goldman and Erick Benzi. The song was released as a promotional single in France in January 1996. It became a radio hit, topping the airplay chart for two weeks, and ranked as the sixth most economically profitable song of 1996 in France.
Background and release
Dion recorded D'eux in November and December 1994 at the Méga Studio in Paris, France.[1] Most songs were written by Jean-Jacques Goldman, with production handled by Goldman and Erick Benzi.[2] "Le ballet" was chosen as the third promotional single and released in France in January 1996.[3] In February 1996, it was included as the B-side of the "Falling into You" single.
"Le ballet" is a blues-influenced groove built around percussive finger snaps, harmonica, and electric guitar, marking Dion's first exploration of blues vocal stylings. The track reflects the musical direction of D'eux, which incorporates elements of continental pop, folk, jazz, and 1970s soul. It is often cited as an example of Goldman's ability to write about mature themes and emotional nuance.
The song is also known for Dion's playful vocal imitations of instruments. Beginning with her D'eux Tour in 1995, and documented on the Live à Paris album, she used an extended version of "Le ballet" to introduce her band members.[4] She performed it in a similar manner on the Falling Into You Around the World Tour and during her European concerts in 2017. In 2005, the song was included on her greatest hits album, On ne change pas.
Commercial performance
"Le ballet" entered the French airplay chart on 27 January 1996 and topped it for two weeks, on 2 and 9 March 1996.[5][6][7] It spent 10 weeks inside the top 10 and left the top 20 on 20 April 1996 after 12 weeks on the chart.[8] It became Dion's highest-charting song on the French airplay chart, surpassing "Je sais pas" (number two) and "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" (number three).[9][10] According to SACEM, "Le ballet" ranked as the sixth most economically profitable song of 1996 in France.[11]
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| France Airplay (SNEP)[6] | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| France (SACEM)[11] | 6 |
References
- ^ "Histoire de culte: comment l'album D'eux de Céline Dion est devenu le disque francophone le plus vendu de tous les temps". Elle (in French). 30 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "D'eux by Céline Dion". Apple Music. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Celine Dion - Le ballet (1995, CD)". Discogs. 1995. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Céline Dion - Le ballet (Live à Paris 1995)". YouTube. April 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay: France" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 January 1996. p. 43. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Major Market Airplay: France" (PDF). Music & Media. 2 March 1996. p. 27. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay: France" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 March 1996. p. 39. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay: France" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 April 1996. p. 35. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay: France" (PDF). Music & Media. 4 November 1995. p. 31. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
- ^ "Major Market Airplay: France" (PDF). Music & Media. 3 June 1995. p. 31. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Les 10 chansons ayant généré le plus de droits en 1997". Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique. Archived from the original on 12 March 2000. Retrieved 3 May 2019.