"4 Mots sur un piano" is a 2007 song recorded by French singers Patrick Fiori, Jean-Jacques Goldman, who also had written the lyrics, and Christine Ricol. It was released as the second single - after "Toutes les peines" - from Fiori's album Si on chantait plus fort on July 20, 2007. The single was very successful, particularly in France where it topped the chart.

Background, lyrics and music video

Fiori explained in an interview: "One day in Corsica, when I went to Bastia, Jean-Jacques Goldman asked me if I would possibly agree to sing with him. Then, in the Restonica, we met a young girl absolutely unknown named Christine, and the idea of a trio became imperative." He also noted that the song is sad.^[1]

The song was produced by Patrick Hampartzoumian and Patrick Fiori. It also available on Fiori's best of, 4 Mots, and on many French compilations, such as NRJ Back 2 School 2, NRJ Music Awards 2008 and Hit Connection - Best Of 2007.

Composed by Jean-Jacques Goldman, the song is a ballad that deals with the theme of a romantic relationship between two men and one woman.^[2] This relationship, initially accepted by all three people, is challenged by the two men who ask the woman to choose between them. She prefers to not choose because she loves both and finally leaves them.

The music video takes place in a room in which, at first, the three people move in (these people are not the singers, but actors). They get along well, sharing all the happy moments. However, throughout the video, an uneasiness settles upon them as a result of this relationship that becomes exclusive and finally, they argue violently. In the end, the room is completely empty.

Charts performances

In France, the single went straight to #5 on July 28, 2007 and jumped to #1 two weeks later, with about 17,000 copies sold that week.^[3] It stayed there for two consecutive weeks. After that, it dropped slowly and managed to total 17 weeks in the top ten, 24 weeks in the top 50 and 32 weeks in the top 100.^[4] Certified Silver disc three months after its release by the SNEP^[5] for about 175,000 sales, it was the fifth best-selling single of 2007 in France.^[6]
It was the second number-one single for Patrick Fiori (after "Belle" in 1998), and also for Jean-Jacques Goldman (after "Je te donne" in 1986).

In Belgium (Wallonia), the single was charted for 19 weeks, from September 8 to December 29, 2007, and also from January 19 to January 26, 2008 (Top 40). After a debut at the bottom of the chart, it reached its peak position, #7, in its eighth week.^[7] The single was ranked 60th on the 2007 Belgian End of the Year Chart.^[8]

In Switzerland, the single started at #67 on the Swiss Singles Chart on August 26, and peaked at #40 two weeks later. It fell off the chart after 15 weeks.^[9]

Track listing

Charts

References