Aubret won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1962 representing France and singing "Un premier amour" (A first love) with music composed by Claude-Henri Vic and lyrics by Roland Stephane Valade. In 1968, she returned to the contest, again representing France, finishing third, and singing "La source" (The spring) with music by Daniel Faure and lyrics by Henri Dijan, and Guy Bonnet
Aubret won the French national gymnastics championship in 1958
Eurovision Song Contest 1962 - Luxembourg
Entry for France
Performer: Isabelle Aubret
Song title: Un Premier Amour
Song writer(s): Roland Valade
Song composer(s): Claude Henri Vic
Sang in Position: 9
Final Position: 1
Total Points: 26
After the victory in Cannes in 1961, Luxembourg was the host of the seventh Eurovision Song Contest. The stage was decorated with twinkling stars, but unfortunately they could not be seen for parts of the evening because there were some problems with the lights in the big auditorium of the Villa Louvigny.
The number of participants of this year's contest remained stable at 16 with no new countries entering. However, there was a change in the voting system: the national juries - which still consisted of 10 persons - had to attribute 3, 2 and 1 points to their three favourite songs.
About the winner
France managed to win the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time with a dramatic performance by Isabelle Aubret who won by a landslide: Aubret collected 26 points altogether, outclassing Monaco's entry Dis Rien by 13 points!
The German entry Zwei Kleine Italiener by Conny Froboess went on to be an enormous commercial success in lots of European countries despite a rather moderate 6th place;
Belgian Fud Leclerc took part for the fourth time in the history of the song contest, but came last with no points at all.
Eurovision Song Contest 1968 - London
Entry for France
Performer: Isabelle Aubret
Song title: La Source
Song writer(s): Guy Bonnet, Henri Dijan
Song composer(s): Daniël Faure
Sang in Position: 10
Final Position: 3
Total Points: 20
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom broadcast the 1968 contest in colour despite the fact that very few TV-viewers at home owned a colour TV set. However, colour was here to stay and all song contests since then have been broadcast primarily in colour. Some countries hired foreign singers to sing for them: Germany was represented by Norwegian Wenche Myhre and Austria's entry was performed by Karel Gott from Prague.
About the winner
The 1968 Eurovision Song Contest turned out to have a nailbiting finish when the United Kingdom entry and big favourite Congratulations by Cliff Richard was beaten by just one point by Spain's Massiel. Originally Massiel's song La La La was supposed to be sung by Spanish singer Joan Manuel Serrat who wanted perfom the song La, La, La in Catalan. However, Juan Manuel Serrat's wish of singing in his native tongue was not met by the Spanish officials, and Juan Manuel was replaced by Massiel who sang the same song in Spanish.
The 1968 Eurovision Song Contest was not only broadcast in the participating countries, but also all of Eastern Europe and Tunisia could follow it;
For Katie Boyle, it was already her third Eurovision Song Contest as a presenter, but not her last: Mrs. Boyle would return for yet another contest just as the unlucky Cliff Richard!
Heureux
Isabelle Aubret Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Le guide au chemin triomphant, heureux qui chante pour l'enfant.
Heureux qui sanglote de joie pour s'кtre enfin donnй d'amour
Ou pour un baiser que l'on boit, heureux qui sanglote de joie.
Heureux les amants sйparйs et qui ne savent pas encore
Qu'ils vont demain se retrouver, heureux les amants sйparйs.
Heureux les amants йpargnйs et don't la force de vingt ans
Heureux les amants que nous sommes et qui demain, loin l'un de l'autre
S'aimeront, s'aimeront par-dessus les hommes.
The lyrics of Isabelle Aubret's song "Heureux" speak about happiness in different forms. The first verse talks about the joy of singing to a child and guiding them without even saying anything. The second verse speaks of the tears of joy one sheds when giving love or receiving a kiss. The third verse touches on the happiness of lovers, both those who are separated but will soon reunite as well as those whose only purpose and strength is to love each other.
The song captures the different facets of joy in life, including the simple pleasures of guiding a child and the intense emotion of being in love. The lyrics suggest that true happiness can come from love and connection with others, whether it be with a child or with a partner.
Interestingly, the song was written by Jean Ferrat, a French singer-songwriter who often tackled political and social issues in his work. "Heureux," however, is a departure from his typical style and is a simple yet moving ode to happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Heureux qui chante pour l'enfant et qui sans jamais rien lui dire
Fortunate is he who sings for the child, leading them down the path to triumph, without ever having to say a word.
Le guide au chemin triomphant, heureux qui chante pour l'enfant.
Guiding them toward a path filled with success, those who sing for the child are truly blessed.
Heureux qui sanglote de joie pour s'кtre enfin donnй d'amour
Blissful tears of happiness are shed by those who have finally given love a chance.
Ou pour un baiser que l'on boit, heureux qui sanglote de joie.
Even a simple kiss can cause one to overflow with joy and tears, truly fortunate are those who experience it.
Heureux les amants sйparйs et qui ne savent pas encore
The lovers who are separated and unsure of what the future may hold are also blessed with happiness.
Qu'ils vont demain se retrouver, heureux les amants sйparйs.
For they may be reunited tomorrow, and such happiness is only known to the separated lovers.
Heureux les amants йpargnйs et don't la force de vingt ans
The spared lovers who have the strength of twenty only use it to love one another.
Ne sert а rien qu'а bien s'aimer, heureux les amants йpargnйs.
Such strength serves no other purpose than to love each other well, and they are truly happy for it.
Heureux les amants que nous sommes et qui demain, loin l'un de l'autre
And even we, the lovers, are fortunate as we will love each other tomorrow from far away.
S'aimeront, s'aimeront par-dessus les hommes.
Our love will soar above that of mere mortals, as we continue to love each other despite the distance between us.
Contributed by Jackson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.