95. France 2002

RESULT: 95th

YEAR: 2002

COUNTRY: FRANCE

ARTIST: Sandrine Francois

SONG: "Il Faut Du Temps"

PLACING: 5/24". . . Je me battrais pour ça, ici et maintenant, moi, je n'ai plus le temps, j'ai qu'une vie devant moi . . . "

After lingering around the bottom of the table for a few years in the late nineties, France returned to form at the 2001 contest in Copenhagen in triumphant style, coming 4th. The French didn't rest on their laurels however and sent a song with a similar amount of fanfare to the next contest in Tallinn. Sandrine's moody ballad about fighting for love (well I think that's what it's about) garnered a similarly good reception from the televoters, ending in 5th position. I think I like this song less than a lot of other Eurovision fans, so it feels a bit weird championing it in 95th place, when lots of you (well the 3 people that might read this) probably feel it should place higher. I almost feel like I should explain why isn't higher. I don't love the staging. Sandine moves around quite a lot and I feel it would have been great if it had just been stationary. There wasn't much atmosphere on stage either, but I think a lot of that was to do with the general staging. When I think of the 2002 contest, I almost think of a cartoony stage and feel, whereas this could really have done with smoke machine! Definitely not suitable for Mlle Francois. Certainly the song is very strong and is the kind of timeless French entry that would be equally at home in next year's contest. Although it would probably end up 22nd.
The worst thing about this was the outfit. Sandrine, who is clearly gorgeous was dressed like some peasant extra from a High School version of Robin Hood The Musical! Over it.
Oddly enough my favourite Eurovision memory involving Sandine isn't "Il Faut Du Temps". Instead it was when Sandrine gave the French votes the next year and seemed pretty wasted. I love when Marie N talks over her and she puts her finger to her lips! Then she was totally sultry and all "Douze ponts - pour . . . la . . . . Belgique!". In 2002 she seemed so serious but apparantly the groupies that come with singing a Eurovision entry had loosened her up!

Best Bit: It was great to see both France and the UK back in the Top 5 in the same year. Clutching at straws much?