Merci, Chérie


"Merci, Chérie" is a song composed and recorded by Austrian singer Udo Jürgens with lyrics by himself and Thomas Hörbiger. It in the Eurovision Song Contest 1966, held in Luxembourg, resulting in the country's first ever win at the contest.

Background

Conception

"Merci, Chérie" was composed by Udo Jürgens with lyrics by himself and Thomas Hörbiger. It is an earnest ballad in which the singer, as he leaves her, thanks his lover for good times and positive memories. In addition to the original German version with phrases in French, Jürgens recorded the song fully in French, English, Japanese –メルシー・シェリー, "Merushī sherī"–, Italian –with lyrics by Vito Pallavicini–, and Spanish –with lyrics by Arturo Kaps-Schönfeld–.

Eurovision

Aftermath

Jürgens performed his song in the Eurovision twenty-fifth anniversary show Songs of Europe held on 22 August 1981 in Mysen. The opening act of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 grand final held in Vienna features violinist Lidia Baich, winner of the Eurovision Young Musicians 1998, performing live on stage an excerpt of "Merci, Chérie" in tribute to Jürgens.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Legacy

  • The song was covered by English singer Vince Hill. Baker Cavendish wrote the English lyrics, with musical arrangement by Johnny Arthey. Released on EMI Columbia, Hill reached number 36 on the UK Singles Chart with it in June 1966.
  • English singer Matt Monro included his recording of the English version on his 1966 album This Is the Life, releasing the track as a single that failed to chart.
  • Portuguese singer Isabel Fontes included his recording of the portuguese version on his 1966 EP Eurovision 1966, including versions also of "Merci Cherie", "Dio, como ti amo" and "Yo soy aquel".
  • Gunnar Wiklund with Nisse Hansén's orchestra recorded it for the Swedish market in 1966. Al Sundström wrote the Swedish lyrics but kept the French title. The song was released on the EP Sjunger Eurovisionsschlager 1966 on His Master's Voice.
  • In 1967, Bent Fabric released an instrumental version of the song on his album Operation Lovebirds.
  • In 2007, American pop star Belinda Carlisle recorded a French version of the song and included it on her album of standards, Voila.