Bella Vita (David et Jonathan song)

"Bella Vita" is a 1986 pop-ballad song recorded by French vocal duet David et Jonathan. Written by Olivier Lanquetin and duet member David Marouani with a music composed by Marouani, it was their debut single from their 1988 album, Cœur de gosse, on which it appears as the fifth track, and was released in the first months of 1987. It achieved success in France, peaking at number two.

"Bella Vita"
Single by David et Jonathan
from the album Cœur de gosse
B-side"In My Heart"
Released1987
Recorded1986
StudioStudio CBE (recording)
GenrePop, ballad
Length4:10
LabelSefra
Composer(s)David Marouani
Lyricist(s)David Marouani,
Olivier Lanquetin
Producer(s)Pascal Auriat
David et Jonathan singles chronology
"Bella Vita"
(1987)
"Gina"
(1987)

Lyrics and music video edit

"Bella Vita" was written by Lanquetin and Marouani, the latter being only 15 years old at the time. The verses are alternately sung in Italian and English, while the refrain is only in Italian. The music video accompagning the song was shot in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.[1]

Critical reception edit

A review in Pan-European magazine Music & Media presented "Bella Vita" as "the duo's slow, saccharine pop ballad" and noted his huge success in France.[2]

Chart performance edit

In France, "Bella Vita" debuted at number 41 on the chart edition of 30 May 1987, entered the top ten in its fourth week where it remained for 15 weeks; it reached number two for non consecutive two weeks, being unable to dislodge first Madonna's "La Isla Bonita", then Vanessa Paradis's "Joe le taxi" which topped the chart then; it fell off the top 50 after 24 weeks of presence.[3] It earned a Gold disc, awarded by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.[4] On the European Hot 100 Singles, it debuted at number 59 on 13 June 1987, reached a peak of number 20 for consecutive two weeks,[5] and desappeared from the chart after 22 weeks of presence.

Track listings edit

  1. "Bella Vita" — 4:10
  2. "In My Heart" — 3:47
  • 12" maxi - France[9]
  1. "Bella Vita" — 4:30
  2. "In My Heart" — 3:47
  • 7" single - Canada[10]
  1. "Bella Vita" — 4:25
  2. "Prénoms bibliques" — 3:24

Personnel edit

  • Arrangement — Bernard Estardy
  • Production — Pascal Auriat, Zone Music
  • Photography — François Gaillard

Charts edit

Certifications edit

Certifications for "Bella Vita"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[4] Gold 500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Country Date Format Label
France 1986 7" single[6] Sefra
12" single[9]
Benelux 7" single[7] Ariola
Italy 7" single[8] CGD
Canada 7" single[10] Charles Talar

References edit

  1. ^ "Que sont devenus David et Jonathan ?". Télé Loisirs (in French). 20 June 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Previews - Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 40. 10 October 1987. p. 19. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  3. ^ a b "David & Jonathan – Bella Vita" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b "French single certifications – David & Jonathan – Bella Vita" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Select DAVID & JONATHAN and click OK. 
  5. ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 33. 22 August 1987. p. 14-15. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ a b "Bella Vita (David et Jonathan song)" at Discogs, 7" single France (David & Jonathan – "Bella Vita") (accessdate: 13 October 2021).
  7. ^ a b "Bella Vita (David et Jonathan song)" at Discogs, 7" single Benelux (David & Jonathan – "Bella Vita") (accessdate: 13 October 2021).
  8. ^ a b "Bella Vita (David et Jonathan song)" at Discogs, 7" single Italy (David & Jonathan – "Bella Vita") (accessdate: 13 October 2021).
  9. ^ a b "Bella Vita (David et Jonathan song)" at Discogs, 12" maxi France (David & Jonathan – "Bella Vita") (accessdate: 13 October 2021).
  10. ^ a b "Bella Vita (David et Jonathan song)" at Discogs, 7" single Canada (David & Jonathan – "Bella Vita") (accessdate: 13 October 2021).
  11. ^ "David & Jonathan – Bella Vita" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  12. ^ "European Charts of the Year 1987 – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. 26 December 1987. p. 34. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 13 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ "Top Sellers 1987" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 11. 12 March 1988. p. 25. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 2 October 2023 – via American Radio History.