C'est écrit

"C'est écrit" (transl. French for "It's Written") is a 1989 ballad recorded by French singer Francis Cabrel. Written by Cabrel and Roger Secco with a music composed by Michel Françoise, it was the second single from his seventh studio album Sarbacane, on which it appears as the second track, and was released in August 1989. In France, it was a top ten hit and became one of Cabrel's most popular songs.

"C'est écrit"
Single by Francis Cabrel
from the album Sarbacane
B-side"J'ai peur de l'avion"
ReleasedAugust 1989
Recorded1989
GenreBallad, chanson
Length5:50
LabelCBS
Composer(s)Michel Françoise
Lyricist(s)Francis Cabrel,
Roger Secco
Producer(s)Gérard Bikialo
Francis Cabrel singles chronology
"Sarbacane"
(1989)		 "C'est écrit"
(1989)		 "Animal"
(1990)

Music and lyrics

In the 2020 book Cabrel, une vie en chanson, Thomas Chaline explains that "C'est écrit" is composed of two pieces of lyrics and music originally unrelated, Cabrel having decided to associate a work by Roger Secco with another one by Michel Françoise, two of his friends.[1] Lyrically, the song deals with a love story of a man who does not manage to forget the woman he loves; the title "C'est écrit" indicates that he will never be able to overcome his feelings, as they result from destiny. Expert of the French charts Elia Habib deemed that the "very personal" song's lyrics are full of a "colorful poetry with surreal accents".[2]

Chart performance

In France, "C'est écrit" debuted at number 38 on the chart edition of 26 August 1989, entered the top ten five weeks later where it remained for six weeks with a peak at number six in its ninth week, and fell off the top 50 after 17 weeks of presence.[3] It earned a silver disc, awarded by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique,[4] thus becoming the most successful single from the album Sarbacane. On the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles, it started at number 83 on 30 September 1989, reached a peak of number 28 in its sixth week,[5] and dropped from on the chart after its 12th week. Much played on radio, it also charted for 11 weeks on the European Airplay Hot 100, with a peak at number 15 in its eighth week, on 4 November 1989,[6] and was number one on the French Airplay Chart (FM stations).[7]

Cover versions

In 1998, Guy Béart recorded an album of covers entitled Les Couleurs du temps, released posthumously in 2020, on which appears a version of "C'est écrit" considered by Anthony Martin of RTL a "gold nugget".[8] In 1999, a singer named MJ recorded his own version of "C'est écrit"; released as a single with Sony label, it charted in France for eight weeks in the top 100 and peaked at number 41 in January 2000.[2][9]

Track listings
  1. "C'est écrit" — 5:50
  2. "J'ai peur de l'avion" — 3:52
  1. "C'est écrit" — 5:50
  2. "J'ai peur de l'avion" — 3:52
  1. "C'est écrit" — 5:50
  2. "J'ai peur de l'avion" — 3:52
  • 7" single - Canada[13]
  1. "C'est écrit" — 5:50
  2. "Petite Sirène" — 3:45

Personnel
  • Graphics — Charles Le Meur
  • Photography — Marie-France Montant

Charts and certifications

Release history
Country Date Format Label
France 1989 7" single[10] CBS
CD single[12]
12" maxi[11]
Canada 7" single[13]

References
  1. de Chalup, Anne-Laure (8 October 2020). "Petite enquête sur les chansons de Francis Cabrel". petitbleu.fr (in French). Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  2. Habib, Elia (2002). Muz hit.tubes (in French). Alinéa Bis. p. 168. ISBN 2-9518832-0-X.
  3. "Francis Cabrel – C'est écrit" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  4. "French single certifications – Francis Cabrel – C'est écrit" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Select FRANCIS CABREL and click OK. 
  5. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 44. 4 November 1989. p. IV-V. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 28 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  6. "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 44. 4 November 1989. p. III. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 28 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  7. "Playlist report – The most played records in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 41. 14 October 1989. p. II. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 28 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  8. Martin, Anthony (16 September 2020). "Quand Guy Béart chantait "C'est écrit" de Francis Cabrel" (in French). RTL. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  9. "MJ - "C'est écrit"" (in French). Les classements single. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  10. "C'est écrit" at Discogs, 7" single France (Francis Cabrel – "C'est écrit") (accessdate: 28 October 2021).
  11. "C'est écrit" at Discogs, 12" maxi France (Francis Cabrel – "C'est écrit") (accessdate: 28 October 2021).
  12. "C'est écrit" at Discogs, CD single France (Francis Cabrel – "C'est écrit") (accessdate: 28 October 2021).
  13. "C'est écrit" at Discogs, 7" single Canada (Francis Cabrel – "C'est écrit") (accessdate: 28 October 2021).
  14. Michel Gignac. "Compilation des succès par ordre alphabétique d'interprètes" (pdf). banq.qc.ca (in French). Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. p. 110. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
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