music.wikisort.org - Composition

Le métèque is a French chanson by Georges Moustaki (1934–2013). He wrote it in 1969, and it was his first breakthrough hit, reaching number one in the French charts for six non-consecutive weeks.^{[citation needed]} Before this song he had written for many singers, including "Milord" for Édith Piaf.[1] He recorded an Italian version titled "Lo straniero", which became the best-selling record of 1969 in Italy.[2]

"Le Métèque"
Single by Georges Moustaki
B-side	"Voyage"
Released	1969
Recorded	1969
Genre	Chanson
Length	2:30
Label	Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Georges Moustaki
Producer(s)	Jacques Bedos, Henri Belolo

Métèque is a pejorative word for a shifty-looking immigrant of Mediterranean origin.^{[citation needed]}

Other versions

The song has been translated into several languages. Moustaki recorded an Italian version with lyrics translated by Bruno Lauzi. His rendition of this version was released in 1969 as a single titled "Lo straniero" (B-side "Giuseppe"), with arrangement by Alain Goraguer.[3] It reached number one on the Italian charts,[4] and became the best-selling record of the year in Italy.[5] In 1970, Moustaki's recording won the Mostra internazionale di musica leggera (Gondola d'oro) in Venice as the best-selling record of 1969.[2]

Greek singer George Dalaras recorded a Greek version "O Metoikos" with new lyrics by Dimitris Christodoulou in 1971.[6]

Charts

Chart (1969)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[7]	2
France (Hit Parade)[8]	1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[4]	1
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[9]	29
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[10]	73

References

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