Eurovision Top 100 All-Time - Number 55 - Le Temps perdu Eurovision Top 100 All-Time - Number 55 - Le Temps perdu

Eurovision Top 100, #55: Le Temps perdu (France, 1956)

Back to the original contest in the Eurovision Top 100 countdown, as Mathé Altéry’s “Le Temps perdu” comes in at number 55.

Altéry had the honor of being one of France’s two inaugural performers at the 1956 Eurovision Song Contest.  In fact, technically speaking, she went first, making hers the first French entry ever at Eurovision.  It was also one of their best.

This was the sole contest in which we have no idea how anyone else other than the winner – Switzerland’s Lys Assia – did.  Maybe they should have kept better records and/or assumed that people like me would want to watch and dissect it about seven decades later.  Quite the shame.

Eurovision Top 100 - Song Info 55 - Le Temps perdu - France 1956

Vital Information: “Le Temps perdu”

SongLe Temps perdu
English TranslationLost time
Performed ByMathé Altéry
Written ByAndré Lodge & Rachèle Thoreau
CountryFrance
Year1956
Language(s) Performed InFrench
How It FaredNobody knows
Was It Fair?Hard to say…

What I Liked

You know, because we have told you in our official scoring rubric, that we value vocals above most other categories.  This is why her song soared on our list: What a voice.  She has a ton of range and her vocals are crisp, clear, and beautiful.  This song also held up decently over the ages as well.  Sure, people won’t be queueing this up on Spotify today, but this was probably a favorite in some sectors of Europe back in the day.

With the vocals in mind, Altéry also crushed the ending.  It seemed like it was coming in for a soft landing, but then she held that final note for about nine seconds.  Well done.

Other Facts

  • This was one of seven songs at the first Eurovision Song Contest to be performed in French.  Her song was the second French-language song performed in Eurovision history, with the Belgian Fud Leclerc’s being first.
  • According to IMDb, Altéry is still alive as of 2024 at 97 years of age, making her one of only a handful of original Eurovision performers still with us.
  • France’s other entry in 1956 was performed by Dany Dauberson.  Altéry’s performance came first, fifth in the running order, while Dauberson’s was second (12th).

Watch “Le Temps perdu” in a Manner of Speaking

Of course, it would be impossible to watch this song, because no tape exists of the 1956 contest.  However, there is audio.

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