"Nuit de folie" is a 1988 popular song recorded by Frenchpop duet Début de Soirée. It was their debut single from their album Jardins d'enfants and was released in June 1988. In France, it became the summer hit of the year, topping the chart for over two months. It was re-released in 2000 in a remixed version, but it did not reach success.
Background
The song, written and composed by both members of the duets, was especially created to become a summer hit, although the song was actually released for the first time in 1984 as a B-side, but passed unnoticed at the time. It was very difficult to find a record company, because nobody believed in the potential of the song, but a contract was eventually signed with Sony. In 1988, the song was also much promoted by the band in many TV shows. According to Elia Habib, an expert of French charts, the song is characterized by a "rapid and lively rhythm, a very simple refrain therefore easy to remember, a tune that becomes embedded in the eardrums, lyrics referring to summer festive atmosphere". It also contains a brief bridge sung in a rap version, just before the last refrain. The song composed in 1984 had no success at first. The arrangements of the best known version of 1988 come from german singer Patty Ryan's song You're My Love, You're My Life. The duet's second single, "La Vie la nuit", released in December 1988, used around the end of the song a sample from the introduction of "Nuit de folie".
Music video
In the music video, the two singers perform a choreography on "shimmering backgrounds", in an "astonishing variety of head to foot positions". They are accompanied by three women, each with a plain dress in a different colour. During the last refrain, two couples are formed, and the obese woman remains alone. The video is now considered old-fashioned and in an interview, both singers admitted that they do not like to see it aired on TV because they find it antiquated.
Chart performances
In France, the single entered the singles chart at number 39 on 11 June 1988. It climbed quickly and reached number one from its sixth to its fourteenth week. It then remained for another nine weeks in the top five. It totalled 22 weeks in the top ten and 30 weeks in the top 50, and was certified Platinum disc by the SNEP. It became the 57th best-selling single of all time in France, with over 1 million copies sold. The song was later released again in remixed versions: first in 1995, then in 2000. Both versions, particularly devoted to the discothèques, were failures.
