French Eurovision song is denounced by the country’s culture minister for using English lyrics and ‘breaking his ears’
- Song, The Best In Me, was unveiled on Sunday by its singer Tom Leeb
- Culture minister Franck Riester did not reject the song for its artistic quality
- Instead he was angry that half the song and its title is in English
France’s culture minister has said his country’s choice of song for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest ‘broke my ears a little’ because of its English lyrics.
Franck Riester criticised the song, The Best In Me, after it was unveiled by singer Tom Leeb on Sunday.
Mr Riester did not object to its artistic quality but instead was critical of the fact that half the song, as well as its title, is in English.
France’s culture minister has said his country’s choice of song for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest ‘broke my ears a little’ because of its English lyrics
Speaking in the French parliament in response to a question from a fellow MP, Mr Riester said: ‘It’s true that the chorus is in English, it broke my ears a little this morning on the radio.
‘It is an independent choice by France Télévisions.
‘But I conveyed the message of my astonishment at a song whose chorus is written in English.
‘Everyone must set an example to ensure that France is carried with pride everywhere, all the time.’
Frank Riester criticised the song, The Best In Me, after it was unveiled by singer Tom Leeb on Sunday
France Télévisions, the national broadcaster, defended the choice of song, saying it had ‘universal emotion’.
The song has also been mocked on social media for its lyrics, which go, ‘you’re making it all complete / you are, you are / in very breath I breathe / for ever eternally.’
It is not the first time that there has been controversy over English lyrics in France’s Eurovision entry.
Four out of the previous six entries have had English lines or choruses in an attempt to win favour with international voters.
Mr Riester did not object to its artistic quality but instead was critical of the fact that half the song, as well as its title, is in English
The Best In Me was written by Swedish singer John Lundvik in English and then partially translated into French.
Mr Leeb will be hoping to break France’s poor run in the song contest – it has not won since 1977, a record even poorer than the UK’s.
Last year’s entry for France, Roi by Bilal Hassani, came 16th, with the Netherlands coming out on top.