"Déjeuner en paix" is a 1991 pop rock song recorded by Swiss singer Stephan Eicher. Written by Philippe Djian and composed by Eicher, it was released in the middle of 1991 as the lead single from his sixth studio album Engelberg, on which it appears as the fourth track. It became a hit in France and Belgium (Wallonia) and became Eicher's most successful single on the charts.

"Déjeuner en paix"
Single by Stephan Eicher
from the album Engelberg
B-side"Baudelaire Waltz"
Released1991
Recorded1991
StudioKursaal Casino Engelberg, Switzerland
GenrePop rock, chanson
Length3:37
LabelBarclay
Songwriter(s)Philippe Djian,
Stephan Eicher
Producer(s)Stephan Eicher,
Dominique Blanc-Francard
Stephan Eicher singles chronology
"Rien à voir"
(1990)
"Déjeuner en paix"
(1991)
"Pas d'ami (comme toi)"
(1991)

Background and writing edit

"Déjeuner en paix" was written by Philippe Djian who submitted the lyrics to Eicher, and the latter decided to put them in a melody from an erratic sample on the synthesizer. Unaccustomed to the success, Eicher admitted that he lost the sense of reality for a time. Released during the Gulf War (1990-1991), the song deals with a couple who wants to have breakfast without listening the bad news from the radio.[1] According to Elia Habib, an expert of the French charts, the text "follows the random and sometimes incoherent thread of a spontaneous story where times collide; the style oscillates between direct and reported dialogues, narration and thoughts".[2]

Chart performance edit

In France, "Déjeuner en paix" debuted at number 32 on the chart edition of 24 August 1991, climbed quickly and entered the top ten four weeks later, and reached its highest position, number two, for non consecutive five weeks, being however unable to dethrone Lagaf's "La Zoubida", then Bryan Adams's "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"; it remained for 12 weeks in the top ten and 22 weeks in the top 50.[3] In Belgium (Wallonia), it peaked at number 8 for non consecutive three weeks and totaled seven weeks in the top ten.[4] On the European Hot 100 Singles, "Déjeuner en paix" debuted at number 85 on 21 September 1991, reached a peak of number 13 in the tenth week,[5] and fell off the top 100 after 16 weeks of presence. Much played on radio before its physical release, it appeared from 9 July 1991 and for 11 weeks on the European Airplay Top 50 (before the chart definitely ended), with a peak at number 15 the last week.[6]

Track listings edit

Charts edit

Chart (1991-1992) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[4] 8
Europe (European Airplay Top 50)[6] 15
Europe (European Hot 100)[5] 13
France (Airplay Chart [AM Stations])[14] 1
France (SNEP)[3] 2
Québec (Francophone chart)[15] 12

Release history edit

Country Date Format Label
France 1991 CD maxi[7] Barclay
7" single[9]
Cassette[11]
Promotional 12" maxi[12]
Germany CD maxi[8]
7" single[10]
Canada Promotional CD single[13]

References edit

  1. ^ Philippe Dufreigne (8 August 2020). "Les secrets des tubes : "Déjeuner en paix" de Stephan Eicher". bfmtv.com (in French). Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  2. ^ Habib, Elia (2002). Muz hit.tubes (in French). Alinéa Bis. p. 220. ISBN 2-9518832-0-X.
  3. ^ a b "Stephan Eicher – Déjeuner en paix" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Top 10 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 46. 16 November 1990. p. 29. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 16 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  5. ^ a b "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 47. 23 November 1991. p. 27. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 16 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ a b "European Airplay Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 41. 12 October 1991. p. 29. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 16 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  7. ^ a b "Déjeuner en paix" at Discogs, CD maxi France (Stephan Eicher – "Déjeuner en paix") (accessdate: 16 September 2021).
  8. ^ a b "Déjeuner en paix" at Discogs, CD maxi Germany (Stephan Eicher – "Déjeuner en paix") (accessdate: 16 September 2021).
  9. ^ a b "Déjeuner en paix" at Discogs, 7" single France (Stephan Eicher – "Déjeuner en paix") (accessdate: 16 September 2021).
  10. ^ a b "Déjeuner en paix" at Discogs, 7" single Germany (Stephan Eicher – "Déjeuner en paix") (accessdate: 16 September 2021).
  11. ^ a b "Déjeuner en paix" at Discogs, Cassette France (Stephan Eicher – "Déjeuner en paix") (accessdate: 16 September 2021).
  12. ^ a b "Déjeuner en paix" at Discogs, 12" maxi Promo France (Stephan Eicher – "Déjeuner en paix") (accessdate: 16 September 2021).
  13. ^ a b "Déjeuner en paix" at Discogs, CD single Promo Canada (Stephan Eicher – "Déjeuner en paix") (accessdate: 16 September 2021).
  14. ^ "National Airplay – France AM" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 32. 10 August 1991. p. 17. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved 21 October 2021 – via World Radio History.
  15. ^ 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 10 November 2019..