67/917 Jean-Paul Mauric: Printemps, avril carillonne (France 1961)

The French entries of the first Eurovision decade can be divided roughly in two categories: atmospheric ballads and cheery ditties sung with an artificially wide smile. After winning the contest 1960 with the latter style France tried to repeat the success with another happy go lucky song about spring and birds singing.

I don't have much to say about this song. Although Jean-Paul Mauric sung his entry Printemps, avril carillonne to the respectable 4th place in the final results, the song is nowhere as timeless and succesful as its predecessor, the winner of the 1960 contest.

The song has a catchy hook but you grow tired of it already at second or third listen. In the end of his exhaustingly cheery performance Jean-Paul is so exited himself that he is having trouble in singing the song in tune.

Despite of the relatively good placement Jean-Paul Mauric remained a small star, popular live performer but hardly seen in the record charts. Nine years after his Eurovision performance he died of a heart failure at only 37 years of age.

My points 2/5.