September 16, 2024, marks the 35th Anniversary of Roch Voisine’s single Hélène. It was the song that started Roch Voisine’s career and is a classic from the late 1980s.
The music is French Pop. Roch Voisine and Stéphane Lessard composed the song. Richard Provençal (drums) and Scott Price (piano) are phenomenal musicians. It starts with a lovely guitar playing at a slow tempo in the background. Then, it smoothly transitions to the drums and piano. It also picks up in tempo in the middle of the song with a gradual change. The gradient music complements the storytelling aspect of the song – it works in how the story develops. The intense guitar playing in the background is suitable for the pivotal moments. The way the music plays creates an intimate, cozy vibe. It ends with a beautiful, heartfelt fade-out, like in a concert. A lovely ballad and a timeless classic – 35 years later!
Roch Voisine’s voice is rich, and his vocal range is impressive. He boldly high notes and others to express his various emotions during the song. Roch Voisine sings with heart and soul. He does an excellent job of telling a story.
The lyrics are profound and heartfelt. Roch Voisine wrote the lyrics of this 80s classic. It tells the story of a Summer fling but wishing it would last longer. The story has a flashback vibe, remembering the time spent with the girl with a nostalgic feeling. The song is primarily in French, but there are parts in English, which adds a bold poetic touch. Switching from one language to another is fantastic. The mixed emotions of joy, excitement and sadness are relatable. Love and heartbreak are timeless subjects, and this tune pulls it off very well. The way the song ends with the same paragraph as the beginning, going full circle, is a lovely poetic choice.
Happy 35th anniversary to Roch Voisine’s single Hélène!
Official Video
