La Zoubida

Single infobox |
Name = La Zoubida


Artist = Lagaf'
from Album = Le Lavabo
Released = 1991
Format = CD single
12" maxi
Recorded = 1991
Genre = Pop
Length = 3:55
Label =
Writer = Dirtri
Producer = Dirtri
Certification = Platinum France, 1991
Chronology = Lagaf' singles
Last single = "Bo le lavabo (WC Kiss)"
(1990)
This single = "La Zoubida"
(1991)
Next single = "Je veux des vacances"
(1993)

"La Zoubida" is a 1991 novelty song recorded by the French TV presenter and humorist Lagaf'. It was the second single from his album "Le Lavabo". It became the summer hit of 1991, staying at the top of the French Singles Chart for three months.

Lyrics and music

In a humorous style, the song tells the story of a young North African girl called Zoubida, who lives in Barbès, whose parents have forbidden her to go dancing. However, the girl was saved by her friend Mokthar. But as he is a robber of scooters, the two youths people eventually end the night at the police station. These dubious clichés have earned to the song some criticismElia Habib, "Muz hit. tubes", 2002, p. 214 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)] .

As for the music, the melody is repetitive and every sentence is echoed in the vocalsElia Habib, "Muz hit. tubes", 2002, p. 214 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)] . The music uses a sample of "Sur le pont de Nantes".

The song was parodied by Les Inconnus. In the video, Didier Bourdon performs the song in a bed, on the music of "Boys don't Cry" by The Cure. ["Nos années Top, clips et 45 tours : 1984-1991", Marc Lemonier, 2008, p. 103 (ISBN 225807648X)]

Chart performances

In France, the single debuted at number 24 on June 1, 1991, on the French SNEP Singles Chart (Top 50). It climbed quickly every week the chart and eventually reached #1, on July 20. It remained for eleven not successive weeks at the top of the chart, blocking Paul Young and Zucchero's hit "Senza una donna" at #2, and remained in the top 10 for a total of 24 weeks. It fell off the Top 50 on January 25, 1992, after its 34th week (it was thus the longest running for a single in 1991)."La Zoubida", French Singles Chart [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Lagaf%27&titel=La+zoubida&cat=s Lescharts.com] (Retrieved February 8, 2008)] The single was certified Platinum disc by the SNEP, the French certificator, for more than 500,000 copies soldCertifications of Lagaf's singles [http://www.chartsinfrance.net/certifications/artiste-655.html Chartsinfrance.net] (Retrieved February 8, 2008)] .

According to the Infodisc website, 625,000 copies of the single were soldLagaf's certifications and sales See: "Les Ventes" => "Toutes les certifications depuis 1973" => "LAGAF" [http://www.infodisc.fr/S_Certif.php Infodisc.fr] (Retrieved December 26, 2007)] , and "La Zoubida" is the 351th best-selling single of all time in France [Best-selling singles of all time in France [http://www.infodisc.fr/S_ToutTemps.php?debut=350 Infodisc.fr] (Retrieved February 8, 2008)] .

Track listings

; CD single
# "La Zoubida" — 3:55
# "La Zoubida" (Aziz house version) — 8:02 ; 12" maxi
# "La Zoubida" — 3:55
# "La Zoubida" (instrumental) — 3:55
# "La Zoubida" (Aziz house version) — 8:02

Certifications

References