We’re almost done with the Eurovision Top 100 list, because now at number 3, we have “Ne partez pas sans moi” by Céline Dion.
Yes, that’s right: The Céline Dion. You know her, you love her, and you should also know that she got her big break on the Eurovision stage in 1988. However, it was not all sunshine and flowers, as she almost lost the contest. Yugoslavia saved her as she emerged victorious over the United Kingdom by a single point. (The song she beat by one point was good, but not Céline MF’ing Dion good — we’ll get to that in a future article.)
The 1988 contest had another performance by a well-known singer, Lara Fabian on behalf of Luxembourg.
Vital Information: “Ne partez pas sans moi”
| Song | Ne partez pas sans moi |
| English Translation | Don’t go without me |
| Performed By | Céline Dion |
| Written By | Nella Martinetti & Atilla Şereftuğ |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Year | 1988 |
| Language(s) Performed In | French |
| How It Fared | Won (137 Points) |
| Was It Fair? | Yes, but almost unjustly robbed |
What I Liked
This song had the highest vocal score we have ever awarded in our Eurovision rewatches, out of over 1,700 entries through the present. If you have to ask why, I will counter with “Do you know who Céline Dion is?” In terms of vocals, the song was virtually flawless. It set the table for everything that we know she is today and has been throughout her career. Her singing performance was as close to perfection as I have seen throughout Eurovision history, and that is not a comment I make lightly, as I consider myself a somewhat difficult judge. Her range, her control, everything.
Sure, the song’s lyrics were strange, what with the magic birds and all that. None of it – not one bit – takes away from how explosively good Céline was that night in Ireland. She is a star, she is the moment, and she is our queen.
Other Facts
- As if you need me to tell you this, after Eurovision, Céline Dion went on to become one of the biggest solo artists in modern history. Yes, I know you saw Titanic. Her track record speaks for itself.
- This was Switzerland’s first Eurovision win since the inaugural contest in 1956, which had another top-five song, “Refrain.” They would not win again until Nemo in 2024.
- Switzerland performed ninth in the running order in 1988. Coincidentally, Switzerland’s other winning song at this point, “Refrain,” was also performed ninth.
“Ne partez pas sans moi” to YouTube
You would have to have seen the English translation to get that joke. Anyway, you can watch the video.
