The band was founded in the mid-80's by songwriters Eric Fettweis and Pierre Béraud-Sudreau. Although they wrote all of the band's material together, both felt that a band "had to have 3 members" so a third member, Dominique Delaby, was added to the line-up. However, he left the band quickly after the release of their first 7" to pursue a career in advertising. He was briefly replaced by another "third guy", Laurent Letrillard, for the release of their second 7", but things didn't work out with him either, so the band decided to finally stick to their initial two-person lineup.
The band's career began when their first 7", aptly called "Partenaire Particulier", became one of the big hits of the year 1985 in France, going platinum and reaching position 3 in the charts. The track defined the style of the band: upbeat pop, with prominent use of synthesizers and drum machines.
A second single entitled "Je N'Oublierai Jamais" was released in 1986, following the lineup change. It was less suscessful than "Partenaire Particulier" but still did well in the charts and reinforced the band's fame.
Later that year, they released their first LP, "Jeux Interdits", which comprised the two hit singles and added 6 more songs, the highlight of the album being certainly the New Order-esque closer "Seul Ce Soir".
To promote this first album, the band chose to release its opening track, "Elle Est Partie", as a 7". As catchy as the previous singles, the song was illustrated by a clip shot in black and white. Incidentally, it was also the last of the band's single to chart in France.
Indeed, their fourth single, "Tiphaine", didn't chart. Still, in 1988, Partenaire Particulier released their second studio album, "Le Chant Des Vautours", but, like its two singles ("L'Armée" and a reworked version of "L'Amour A Trois"), it flopped completely and that lack of success meant the end of Partenaire Particulier.
In the early 90s, Eric Fettweis and Pierre Béraud-Sudreau released a bunch of dance tracks under alternative aliases. In 2003, a project of reunion spawned several new tracks but nothing was officially released.
In 2007, Partenaire Particulier resurfaced thanks to a tour organised by a French radio to "revive" French artists from the 1980s. The band appeared on TV again to perform old songs. Following this reappearance, the band announced that they were going to release a 3-cd set containing their first two albums, as well as an extra CD of rarities and/or new content. The release date has yet to be announced.
Two "best-of" compilations of the band were released, respectively in 1993 and 1999. The CD versions of their albums are hard to find and are sold at a very expensive price on used goods sites.
Despite their disappearance and meteoric success, Partenaire Particulier has remained popular thanks to the renewed success of their first single, which has been featured countless times on various 80s/new wave/synthpop compilations.
Je N Oublierai Jamais
Partenaire Particulier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nous roulions vers le sud, elle pleurait dans mes bras
Et sans savoir pourquoi, pourquoi, ni comment
Elle perdait la raison de ce regard si clair
Qui brûlait de passion pour un et deux et trois partenaires
En pleine confusion.
Cette partenaire qu'alors j'adorais.
Je n'oublierai jamais, jamais oh oh oh oh
Je n'oublierai jamais oh oh oh oh, je n'oublierai jamais.
J'imaginais sans peine qu'elle aimait ces rendez-vous
Car toujours, toujours, toujours, toujours l'amour
Seul la fait pardonner, elle était déjà loin quand j'ai réalisé
Que c'était une partenaire particulière qui nous avait échappé.
Mais tu l'oublieras, elle m'oubliera, je n'oublierai jamais, jamais
Cette partenaire qu'alors j'adorais.
Je n'oublierai jamais, jamais oh oh oh oh
Je n'oublierai jamais oh oh oh oh, je n'oublierai jamais.
The song "Je N'Oublierai Jamais" by Partenaire Particulier narrates a story of a couple driving towards the south, where the girl is crying in the man's arms as she loses herself to confusion and passion for multiple partners. The man realizes that his partner is a special one, a particular partner, who had slipped away from them. However, amidst the chaos of emotions and confusion, the man is sure of one thing that he will never forget the intensity of love he had for his partner.
The lyrics of the song are deep and evoke a sense of sorrow and pain alongside the feeling of love and passion. The man's realization of his partner's unique nature, which he had failed to understand initially, becomes apparent as the song progresses. The song focuses on the memories that the man is clinging on to, showcasing that he will never forget the moments he shared with his partner, despite her complexity and confusion.
The song's composition is pretty simple, with a soft and soothing melody paired with the lyrics that create nostalgia and a sense of loss. It is an emotional journey of love, confusion, and memories that the man reflects upon. The song, even though it's from the 80s, still resonates with listeners and has become a classic of French music.
Line by Line Meaning
Nous roulions vers le sud, elle pleurait dans mes bras
We were driving south and she was crying in my arms
Et sans savoir pourquoi, pourquoi, ni comment
And without knowing why or how
Elle perdait la raison de ce regard si clair
She was losing her reason for that clear gaze
Qui brûlait de passion pour un et deux et trois partenaires
That burned with passion for one, two, and three partners
En pleine confusion
In complete confusion
Mais tu l'oublieras, elle m'oubliera, je n'oublierai jamais, jamais
But you will forget her, she will forget me, I will never forget, never
Cette partenaire qu'alors j'adorais
That partner whom I was then in love with
Je n'oublierai jamais, jamais oh oh oh oh
I will never forget, never, oh oh oh oh
Je n'oublierai jamais oh oh oh oh, je n'oublierai jamais
I will never forget, oh oh oh oh, I will never forget
J'imaginais sans peine qu'elle aimait ces rendez-vous
I easily imagined that she liked these rendezvous
Car toujours, toujours, toujours, toujours l'amour
Because always, always, always, always love
Seul la fait pardonner, elle était déjà loin quand j'ai réalisé
Only love can make her forgive, she was already gone when I realized
Que c'était une partenaire particulière qui nous avait échappé
That it was a special partner who had escaped us
Contributed by Evelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
thunderaphyo
Bonheur total ! J'ai vu ces 3 zigotos au Metropolis en concert dans les 80's....
SSTK1982
le bon vieux temps
Laurent Gauttier
oui souvenir de mes années fac, tout l'album est génial : "jeux interdits"1986
Marc
Laurent Gauttier quel âge avez-vous ?
Antenne CQD / DWC Bockstael
Je pense que les paroles sont 'Mais tu l'oublieras / Elle m'oubliera / ....cette partenaire qu'alors j'adorais
Ghostshadow Shadowghost
Superbe ~}}
Martial Pataux
Cool!
Mélissa R. .Armstrong
♥
albatros1894
souvenir souvenir un frero que de souvenir
Melissa0404
J'ai encore la cassette audio.