music.wikisort.org - Composition

"Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" ("He had just turned 18") is a song by French singer Dalida, first released on album Julien in second half of 1973.[1] The song was a success and has become Dalida's signature track.

"Il venait d'avoir 18 ans"
Song by Dalida
from the album Julien
Released	1973 (1973)
Recorded	1973
Studio	Davout
Genre	Chanson sentimental ballad
Length	2:57
Label	International Shows
Composer(s)	Pascal Auriat Jean Bouchéty
Lyricist(s)	Pascal Sevran Serge Lebrail
Producer(s)	Orlando

In 1974 Dalida released the song on the B-side of her single "Gigi l'amoroso".

The song, which reached the 13th place in the German charts and 33rd in the Italian charts,[2] won the Prize of the Academy of the French Record in 1975,[3] and was later recorded in five languages (German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and English), benefiting from an exit single for each of them.

History

This song evokes Dalida's secret relationship, at 34 years old, with a young 18-year-old Italian student. At that time, she gets pregnant and chooses to have an abortion, but the operation makes her sterile. It is this tragedy which inspired her to sing about this impossible relationship.[4] The text of the song makes a reference to love for young people felt by mature women. It is reminiscent of other works such as Colette's Green Wheat, published in 1923.[4]

Dalida also recorded the song in Italian under the title "18 anni" ("Diciottanni").

Track listings

7" single Sonopresse IS 45 716 (1974, France)
7" single Omega OM 39.058 Y (1974, Belgium)
7" single Omega OM 39.058 (1974, Netherlands)
7" single Poplandia P-30573 (1974, Spain)
CD single Barclay 9240 (1999, France)

A. "Gigi l'amoroso (Gigi l'amour)" (6:59)

B. "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" (2:50)

7" EP Zip Zip 10.057/E (1974, Portugal)

A. "Gigi l'amoroso (Gigi l'amour)" (6:59)

B1. "Vado via" (3:40)

B2. "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" (2:50)

Charts

Chart (1974)	Peak position
Flanders	33
Wallonia	4
Italy	33
Germany	13
Quebec	3
France	127

References

External links

• Il venait d'avoir 18 ans on Youtube
• Il venait d'avoir 18 ans, INA

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