"Pas d'ami (comme toi)" is a 1991 pop rock song recorded by Swiss singer Stephan Eicher. Written by Philippe Djian and composed by Eicher, it was released in December 1991 as the second single from his sixth studio album Engelberg, on which it appears as the second track. It became a top ten hit in France.
| "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Stephan Eicher | ||||
| from the album Engelberg | ||||
| B-side | "Demo October 1990" | |||
| Released | December 1991 | |||
| Recorded | 1991 | |||
| Studio | Kursaal Casino Engelberg, Switzerland | |||
| Genre | Pop rock, chanson | |||
| Length | 3:29 | |||
| Label | Barclay | |||
| Composer(s) | Stephan Eicher | |||
| Lyricist(s) | Philippe Djian | |||
| Producer(s) | Stephan Eicher, Dominique Blanc-Francard | |||
| Stephan Eicher singles chronology | ||||
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Lyrics
editWritten by Philippe Djian, "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" tells the story of a man who wonders about his powerful feelings for a friend. Indeed, the song's lyrics suggest that the narrator looks at this friend with love because he is attracted by his legs and his hair, and disturbed by his perfume and his hands when he touches him; however, his friend seems not to notice this situation. In fact, the narrator is referring to a man, which cannot be discerned orally, since the word "friend" (in French, "ami" without an "e") is spelled in its masculine grammatical form; therefore, although the song is often seen as a hymn to bromance between two men, it also seems to be about homosexuality. This interpretation is possible, as Djian had previously said that he had a gay brother and that he loved him;[1] in addition, according to Eicher, this ambiguous text led to rumours about his sexuality.[2]
In 2021, on the Ascension day, French priest Laurent referred to "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" as he considered that the song's lyrics are appropriate to express his ties with Jesus Christ.[3]
"Pas d'ami (comme toi)" was later re-recorded in a new version with a choir composed of inhabitants of the town in the Camargue where Eicher has a house.[2]
Chart performance
editIn France, "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" debuted at number 37 on the chart edition of 28 December 1991, climbed quickly and entered the top ten four weeks later, and reached its highest position, number seven, in its eighth week; then it did not stop to drop and remained for 14 weeks in the top 50.[4] On the European Hot 100 Singles, it debuted at number 90 on 25 January 1991, reached a peak of number 37 in the sixth week,[5] and fell off the top 100 after nine weeks of presence.
Track listings
edit
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Personnel
edit- Bass – Pino Palladino
- Drums – Manu Katché
- Executive-Producer – Martin Hess
- Guitar – Max Lässer
- Lyrics – Philippe Djian
- Music, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar – Stephan Eicher
- Piano, organ [Hammond B3] – Simon Clark
- Producers – Dominique Blanc-Francard, Stephan Eicher
Charts
edit| Chart (1991-1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (European Hot 100)[5] | 37 |
| France (Airplay Chart [AM & FM Stations])[12] | 1 |
| France (SNEP)[4] | 7 |
| Québec (Francophone chart)[13] | 10 |
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1991 | CD maxi[6] | Barclay |
| 7" single[7] | |||
| Cassette[9] | |||
| Promotional 12" single[10] | |||
| Germany | 7" single[8] | ||
| Canada | 1992 | Promotional CD single[11] |
References
edit- ^ ""Pas d'ami comme toi" de Stephan Eicher, une chanson sur la fraternité des hommes..." rtbf.be (in French). 5 October 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ a b Pascale Tournier (2 February 2019). "Stephan Eicher renoue avec ses racines". L'Express (in French). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ Frédéric Pommier (13 May 2021). "Le Père Laurent raconte "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" de Stephan Eicher". franceinter.fr (in French). Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Stephan Eicher – Pas d'ami (comme toi)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 9. 29 February 1992. p. 33. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 20 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
- ^ a b "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" at Discogs, CD maxi France (Stephan Eicher – "Pas d'ami (comme toi)") (accessdate: 20 September 2021).
- ^ a b "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" at Discogs, 7" single France (Stephan Eicher – "Pas d'ami (comme toi)") (accessdate: 20 September 2021).
- ^ a b "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" at Discogs, 7" single Germany (Stephan Eicher – "Pas d'ami (comme toi)") (accessdate: 20 September 2021).
- ^ a b "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" at Discogs, Cassette France (Stephan Eicher – "Pas d'ami (comme toi)") (accessdate: 20 September 2021).
- ^ a b "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" at Discogs, 12" single Promo France (Stephan Eicher – "Pas d'ami (comme toi)") (accessdate: 20 September 2021).
- ^ a b "Pas d'ami (comme toi)" at Discogs, CD single Promo Canada (Stephan Eicher – "Pas d'ami (comme toi)") (accessdate: 20 September 2021).
- ^ "National airplay – France AM" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 6. 8 February 1992. p. 21. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 29 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
- ^ Michel Gignac. "Compilation des succès par ordre alphabétique d'interprètes" (PDF). banq.qc.ca (in French). Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. p. 259. Retrieved 20 September 2021.