La Zoubida
Encyclopedia
"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.
n girl called Zoubida, who lives in Barbès, whose parents have forbidden her to go dancing. However, the girl was saved by her friend Moktar. But as he is a robber of scooters, the two youths eventually end the night at the police station. These dubious cliché
s have earned to the song some criticism.
As for the music, the melody is repetitive and every sentence is echoed in the vocals. The music is taken from the traditionnal French song
"Sur le pont du Nord", the lyrics and the overall structure being a parody of this folk song.
The song was parodied by Les Inconnus
. In the video, Didier Bourdon performs the song in a bed, on the music of "Close to Me" by The Cure
.
and Zucchero
's hit "Senza una donna
" at number two. It remained in the top ten for a total of 24 weeks and fell off the top 50 on 25 January 1992, after 34 weeks, which was the longest chart trajectory for a single in 1991. The single was certified Platinum disc
by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique
for over 500,000 units sold.
According to the Infodisc website, 625,000 copies of "La Zoubida" were sold, and the single is the 351st best-selling single of all time in France.
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
recorded by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
TV presenter and humorist Lagaf'
Lagaf'
Lagaf is a famous French humorist, TV presenter, singer and actor.-Biography:...
. 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 AfricaNorth Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
n girl called Zoubida, who lives in Barbès, whose parents have forbidden her to go dancing. However, the girl was saved by her friend Moktar. But as he is a robber of scooters, the two youths eventually end the night at the police station. These dubious cliché
Cliché
A cliché or cliche is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel. In phraseology, the term has taken on a more technical meaning,...
s have earned to the song some criticism.
As for the music, the melody is repetitive and every sentence is echoed in the vocals. The music is taken from the traditionnal French song
French folk music
As Europe experienced a wave of roots revivals in the 1950s and 60s, France found its regional culture reviving traditional music. Brittany, Limousin, Gascony, Corsica and Auvergne were among the regions that experienced a notable resurgence in the popularity of folk music...
"Sur le pont du Nord", the lyrics and the overall structure being a parody of this folk song.
The song was parodied by Les Inconnus
Les Inconnus
Les Inconnus are a French trio of humorists: Didier Bourdon, Bernard Campan and Pascal Légitimus. While their first successes were on stage, they are most famous for their satirical sketch comedy television show La Télé des Inconnus, which premiered in 1990 and remained popular throughout the...
. In the video, Didier Bourdon performs the song in a bed, on the music of "Close to Me" by The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
.
Chart performances
The single debuted at number 24 on 1 June 1991 on the French Top 50 Singles Chart. It climbed quickly and eventually reached number one on 20 July. It remained for eleven non consecutive weeks at the top of the chart, blocking Paul YoungPaul Young (singer and guitarist)
Paul Antony Young is an English pop musician. Formerly the frontman of the short-lived bands Kat Kool & The Kool Cats, Streetband and Q-Tips, his following solo success as a solo recording artist turned him into a 1980s teenage pop idol...
and Zucchero
Zucchero
Adelmo Fornaciari, Commander , more commonly known by his stage name Zucchero Fornaciari or simply Zucchero /ˈtsukkero/, is an Italian rock singer. His music is largely inspired by gospel, blues and rock music, and alternates between ballads and more rhythmic boogie-like pieces.Zucchero is the...
's hit "Senza una donna
Senza una donna
"Senza una donna" is a 1987 song co-written and performed by Zucchero Fornaciari and rerecorded in 1991 with Paul Young. The song was then released as a single under the title "Senza una donna " which reached #4 in the UK Single Chart and #2 in the German Singles Chart and the French Singles Chart...
" at number two. It remained in the top ten for a total of 24 weeks and fell off the top 50 on 25 January 1992, after 34 weeks, which was the longest chart trajectory for a single in 1991. The single was certified Platinum disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique
Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique
The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry...
for over 500,000 units sold.
According to the Infodisc website, 625,000 copies of "La Zoubida" were sold, and the single is the 351st best-selling single of all time in France.
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
Peak positions
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1991) | Position |
|---|---|
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 1 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Platinum | 1991 | 500,000 | 625,000 |