Il venait d'avoir 18 ans

"Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" ("He had just turned 18") is a song by French singer Dalida, first released on album Julien in second half of 1973.[1] The song was a success and has become Dalida's signature track.

"Il venait d'avoir 18 ans"
Song by Dalida
from the album Julien
Released1973 (1973)
Recorded1973
StudioDavout
Genre
Length2:57
LabelInternational Shows
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Producer(s)Orlando

In 1974 Dalida released the song on the B-side of her single "Gigi l'amoroso".

The song, which reached the 13th place in the German charts and 33rd in the Italian charts,[2] won the Prize of the Academy of the French Record in 1975,[3] and was later recorded in five languages (German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and English), benefiting from an exit single for each of them.

History

This song evokes Dalida's secret relationship, at 34 years old, with a young 18-year-old Italian student. At that time, she gets pregnant and chooses to have an abortion, but the operation makes her sterile. It is this tragedy which inspired her to sing about this impossible relationship.[4] The text of the song makes a reference to love for young people felt by mature women. It is reminiscent of other works such as Colette's Green Wheat, published in 1923.[4]

Dalida also recorded the song in Italian under the title "18 anni" ("Diciottanni").

Track listings

7" single Sonopresse IS 45 716 (1974, France)
7" single Omega OM 39.058 Y (1974, Belgium)
7" single Omega OM 39.058 (1974, Netherlands)
7" single Poplandia P-30573 (1974, Spain)
CD single Barclay 9240 (1999, France)

A. "Gigi l'amoroso (Gigi l'amour)" (6:59)
B. "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" (2:50)

7" EP Zip Zip 10.057/E (1974, Portugal)

A. "Gigi l'amoroso (Gigi l'amour)" (6:59)
B1. "Vado via" (3:40)
B2. "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans" (2:50)

Charts
Chart (1974) Peak
position
Flanders 33
Wallonia 4
Italy 33
Germany 13
Quebec 3
France 127

References
  1. "Dalida - Dalida". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  2. "Home - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  3. Kiko. "Dalida site Officiel - 1975". dalida.com (in French). Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  4. "Il venait d'avoir 18 ans de Dalida". FIGARO (in French). 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
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