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.
Paris S Endort
Partenaire Particulier Lyrics
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La Tour Eiffel est encore plus belle que mon sort
Oh, Paris tu t'endors
La tour d'argent est en or aux lueurs de l'aurore
C'est encore avec ma belle inconnue
Que je marche dans les rues
Tout au long des avenues
Et pour une nuit, juste après minuit
Je l'emmène vivre ma vie
Et Paris s'endort pour toi
Mais Paris encore pour moi
Je t'offre Paris ce soir
Ce décor encore une fois
Quand la cité s'endort
Les bateaux rentrent au port, la nuit se glisse à bord
C'est encore avec ma belle inconnue
Que je marche dans les rues
Tout au long des avenues
Elle n'en sera pas déçue
Et pour une nuit, juste après minuit
Je l'emmène vivre ma vie
Et Paris s'endort pour toi
Mais Paris encore pour moi
Je t'offre Paris ce soir
Ce décor encore une fois
Quand l'amour sera mort
Je lui donnerai mon corps, à Paris sans remords
C'est encore avec ma belle inconnue
Que je marche dans les rues
Tout au long des avenues
Elle n'en sera pas déçue
Et pour une nuit, juste après minuit
Je l'emmène vivre ma vie
Et Paris s'endort pour toi
Mais Paris encore pour moi
Je t'offre Paris ce soir
Ce décor encore une fois
Et Paris s'endort pour toi
Mais Paris encore pour moi
Je t'offre Paris ce soir
Ce décor encore une fois
The lyrics of Partenaire Particulier's song Paris S'Endort (Paris is Sleeping) describe a night-time walk through the city of Paris with a beautiful stranger, with the Eiffel Tower and the famous Tour d'Argent restaurant featuring prominently in the scenery. The singer is clearly in love with both the city and his companion, and is determined to show her a good time. The lyrics emphasize the beauty and peacefulness of Paris at night, with boats returning to the port and the city falling asleep. The song is a romantic tribute to Paris, capturing the charm and allure of the city of lights.
The use of the phrase "belle inconnue" (beautiful stranger) adds an air of mystery to the song and hints at the possibility of a one-night stand. The singer mentions the possibility of "vivre ma vie" (living my life) with his companion, which could be interpreted as either a romantic or a sexual invitation. The repetition of the chorus ("Et Paris s'endort pour toi/Mais Paris encore pour moi/Je t'offre Paris ce soir/Ce décor encore une fois") underscores the singer's love for Paris and his desire to share it with others. The mentioning of "Quand l'amour sera mort/Je lui donnerai mon corps, à Paris sans remords" (When love is dead/I'll give my body to it, in Paris without remorse) adds an even more romantic yet melancholic tone to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Paris que j'adore
The singer expresses their love for Paris
La Tour Eiffel est encore plus belle que mon sort
The singer thinks the Eiffel Tower is more beautiful than their own life
Oh, Paris tu t'endors
The singer notices that Paris is falling asleep
La tour d'argent est en or aux lueurs de l'aurore
The Silver Tower looks like it's made of gold in the morning light
C'est encore avec ma belle inconnue
The singer is with their unknown but attractive companion once again
Que je marche dans les rues
The singer is walking the streets with their companion
Tout au long des avenues
They walk along the wide streets
Elle n'en sera pas déçue
The singer assures that their companion will not be disappointed
Et pour une nuit, juste après minuit
The singer plans to live life with their companion for a night after midnight
Je l'emmène vivre ma vie
The singer plans to show their companion a glimpse of their life
Et Paris s'endort pour toi
The singer notes that Paris is going to sleep for their companion
Mais Paris encore pour moi
Paris is still the singer's city
Je t'offre Paris ce soir
The singer is offering Paris to their companion tonight
Ce décor encore une fois
They will enjoy the city scenery once again
Quand la cité s'endort
When the city falls asleep
Les bateaux rentrent au port, la nuit se glisse à bord
Boats return to the port while the night creeps aboard
Quand l'amour sera mort
When love is dead
Je lui donnerai mon corps, à Paris sans remords
The singer will give their body to Paris without regrets
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Eric Fettweis, Pierre Beraud-Sudreau, Chris Music
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind