With Sheila, Sylvie Vartan is the darling of the French variété scene. For 60 years, her famous, often light-hearted tunes have enchanted a loyal public, who hum along to the star’s 30 or so hits. Last January, she announced a farewell tour. “It is with great love and emotion that I will meet you again at the Dôme de Paris for my farewell tour.” “At some point we have to make sure we don’t do one concert too many. I grew up with this audience, I’ve been singing for 60 years now, can you believe it? she declared in “Quotidien” on TMC.. Years go by and you have to know when to leave. It’s been so fast, so violent and passionate from every point of view.” ” At 80, you need to take it easy! “she added on Tuesday.

The concerts will take place from November 8 to 10, then from January 24 to 26 at the Palais des Congrès. The artist, who has sold 40 million records, will be performing his greatest hits. To satisfy fans, and others, who would like to “to celebrate Sylvie Vartan’s farewell”. (When I was a singer by Michel Delpech), we have selected eight tracks that are a must-listen.

The most “Johnny”: I have a problem (1973)

In the early 1970s, they were the star couple. The rocker and the beautiful blonde. We don’t call them by their names, but simply Johnny and Sylvie. Married since 1965, the two artists gave French music a child, “King David”.. In 1973, they recorded a sensual, carnal and eternal song. Carried by a beautiful melody by Michel Mallory, “J’ai un problème” offers a tailor-made duet for the two big names. “If you’re not really love you look like it/When I move away you get a little closer“. Behind this ode to the couple, Johnny and Sylvie drifted apart and came closer… from afar. The couple divorced in 1980.

The most deeply rooted : La Maritza (1968)

Born in Bulgaria, Vartan arrived in France at the age of 8. This forced exile worked on her. French chanson loves this kind of story (Adieu mon pays by Enrico Macias). In the late 1960s, Pierre Delanoë delivered a personalized, universal text, as he had done for Claude François, Gilbert Bécaud and Dalida. “There’s nothing left of my first ten years. Not the poorest doll, nothing but a little refrain from yesteryear.“It’s beautiful, simple and effective. La Maritza, named after the Bulgarian river (which she also celebrates in the lovely Nicolas), was a hit and closed most of the star’s concerts, and he returned to Bulgaria in the 1990s.

The least gendered: Like a boy (1967)

A funny song in which Sylvie Vartan pokes fun at clichés, as Mylène Farmer would do twenty-five years later in Sans contrefaçon. In 1967, she signed a Comme un garçon jouissif. “Like a boy, I’m stubborn and quite often I hand out corrections, you have to be careful. Like a boy.” “There are songs that stick to your skin“she explains on stage. Quite simply, a hit. C’est fatal (another very interesting track by Barbelivien).

The Most Beautiful to go dancing (1964)

This is the story of a musical miracle. Early in her career, she received this lovely song from Charles Aznavour. Deep, delicate and well-crafted lyrics, La Plus Belle pour aller danser was a hit that changed the image of the artist, who had been confined to covers (Le Loco-Motion) or silly songs (Out of Gas). This is the song of maturity: “You can give me the breath my life lacks in a first cry of happiness. If you want tonight to gather the springtime of my days and the love in my heart.“She’s back in the big leagues.

The two catchiest : What makes blondes cry (1976) and Love is like a cigarette (1981)

Two “guilty pleasure” songs: you listen and you enjoy. Sylvie Vartan excels in fast, pulsating songs. Qu’est ce qui fait pleurer les blondes is 1976 for its lightness. It’s a Desperate housewives with thirty years to spare. Lio will respond in her own way with Les brunes comptent pas pour des prunes. After saying that Love is like a boat (it rocks, it makes you seasick), five years later she adapted an American hit 9 to 5 (Morning Train) where this time love is compared to a cigarette: you let yourself be tempted, you take pleasure, you can’t do without it, but it all goes up in smoke. “Smoke, it’s Vartan.”

The most unsuccessful, Dance your life

One of the great specialties of French variety music: cover versions. In 1983, Flashdance and its title song, sung by Irene Cara, were a hit. Sylvie Vartan decided to cover the song. Danse ta vie is a less successful copy-song than the original… but better than the album’s other cover: the ill-fated Depressionmusical chainsaw massacre from Sweet Dreams (with this line: “Depressed, I repress you“). Prefer this opus: Everything ends with the sun. After the rain comes the good weather.

The most “Sardouesque”: the Balkans and Provence (1983)

Michel Sardou is a singer solitary and divisive. But sometimes he knows how to share. He recorded three songs with Sylvie Vartan. Johnny’s best friend at the time, the “Jazz singer” did not deliver his best performances – neither in text nor in music. Stay the Balkans and Provence A song about roots: the Balkans for Sylvie, Provence for Michel. The difference is that Sardou was born in Paris. What’s not to like about variety?

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