Non, je ne regrette rien

Non, je ne regrette rien ( German No, I regret nothing ) is the most famous song of Édith Piaf, written by Charles Dumont, the (music) and Michel Vaucaire (text) and was published in 1960.

Genesis

The song was composed in 1956 but remained unpublished until 1960. On the afternoon of October 5, 1960 the copywriter Michel Vaucaire set ( 1904-1980 ) and the composer Charles Dumont ( born March 26, 1929) of the already terminally ill Piaf song Non, je ne regrette rien on the piano at her home in Paris Boulevard Lannes 67 before. This Vaucaire stressed while singing the oft-repeated "non". The defiant Intro immediately caught her interest. After the bold assertion in the last verse " each repars à zero" ( I'm starting from scratch ) wanted to hear the text again them. That night Vaucaire had to repeat his lines about 20 times before Piaf and her confidant present ( Marguerite Monnot, Robert Chauvigny, Suzanne Flon and Bruno Coquatrix ). All listeners were of this composition, which could describe Piaf's life, thrilled.

In this document, the protagonist remembers her past with good and bad experiences and confirmed their conscience at Liebschaften, sorrows and joys. The song closes with the optimistic affirmation that now her life and joy begin with the new lover ( "car ma vie, car mes joies, aujourd'hui, ça commence avec toi "). The dark and defiant Intro increases to prepare the song a jubilant and triumphant end and abandon the attitude towards the past. Prognostic she turned to the composer Dumont: " Young man, you do not worry more. I've been waiting my whole life. This song will go around the world. "

It was necessary to overcome two obstacles. Piaf had collapsed on 20 September 1959 at the stage of New York's Waldorf Astoria. As a result of their cancer treatment had to be canceled for 1960 all scheduled performances. In addition Coquatrix and his Olympic Theatre faced financial ruin. Piaf Coquatrix asked to reserve the theater for them at the end of 1960, so that the wonderful song could be presented.

Publication and success

The song was included in the Parisian Pathé -Marconi - EMI Recording Studios on November 10, 1960, with the orchestra Robert Chauvigny. Piaf became the significant emphasis on " non" and sang the text very convincing. The ode to life and love will force Jérusalem was published in December 1960 as EP Non, je ne regrette rien / Les Mots d' amour / ( Columbia EP ESRF 1303).

The song marked the culmination of Piaf's return. On opening night of the Paris Olympia, December 30, 1960 waited thousands of cardholders (including government officials and generals ) on intake. Piaf was at the gig an old dress by Pierre Balmain, was received by a 15-minute applause and opened with Les Mots d' amour ( "Words of Love" ), the second track of the A- side of the EP. The day after the event titled the Paris newspapers: "The love of Piaf has revived. " Until the end of 1961 alone, 1 million copies were sold in France hereof. The EP remained total - with interruptions - for 21 weeks ranked one of the French singles chart, namely from 23 January 1961 until February 12, 1961, between February 27 and March 5, 1961, and again from 12 June to 2 Juli 1961. too, in the Dutch singles chart, the song could occupy the first rank. In Germany, the Single Non, je ne regrette rien / Jérusalem also came in December 1960 to the market (Columbia C 21 725 ), but did not reach the charts.

France was in 1954-1962 in the Algerian war. Piaf dedicated the song to the French Foreign Legion .. At the time of publication of the Algerian War was in full swing. After the failure of the coup against the French Generals de Gaulle on 23 April 1961, was part of the tradition of the Legion, the paratroopers who participated nearly closed in the coup and with an altered text from French opponents of Algerian independence. In May 1961, she published in the UK under the title No Regrets lyrics written by Hal David an English-language version, but missed the local charts.

Cover versions

There are at least 39 cover versions, including Milva with Italian text and the title Nulla rimpiangerò (recorded on May 3, 1961). Kay Starr brought the first English-language cover version of No Regrets out (May 9, 1963), Kathy Kirby followed with music producer Peter Sullivan (published on October 2, 1964), followed by Shirley Bassey (published on 9 April 1965 ). Gisela May 1965 brought a German version under the title No, do not feel sorry (Text: Ralph Maria Siegel, LP Chansons; 1965) out to Mireille Mathieu took up again (LP Star 90, 1985). The produced by Tony Hendrik Bad Boys Blue took over the English version ( The Fifth LP, October 1989). Johnny Hallyday sang the original live in Olympia on August 25, 2000 ( LP Olympic 2000, November 2000), Jule Neigel also took over the French version (LP voice with wing (s ); August 2006). Vicky Leandros followed with No, I regret nothing (LP Timeless, September 2010). A French reggae version comes from Denakil featuring U-Roy (LP Echoes du temps; February 2011), Patricia Kaas also took over the French version (studio version dated June 2012; live Royal Albert Hall, London, November 5, 2012).

Non, je ne regrette rien also comes in the biography - film La Vie en Rose before ( Premiere in Germany 22 February 2007).