World Song Contest

The 26th edition of the World Song Contest started in April 2007. 49 countries from all over the world joined in and this time Asia was one of continents with the most reprensentatives after Europe. Only Oceania had no participants as Australia missed the contest once again.

For once we didn't have so many international stars. Well we had two of them, but both represented the same country. Once again, and just like she was the only singer there, Shakira came back for Colombia with American R&B singer, Beyoncé. But once again it had to be confirmed that international stars or international hits are not always a sign of success. While some would have predicted at least a top 5 (just because of their names), the duo only reached the 10th position.

South Africa missed the final with the legendary Miriam Makeba. Voters didn't show their interest for music when it is full of history and meaning. And indeed, it was not what people wanted to hear this time. The top 10 of this edition reflected the diversity, but also the tastes of each voter. Only those which could "speak" to everyone found their way through the scoreboard. So it was not a matter of quality: some really good songs didn't even reach the top 20.

At this game of the most appealing song, France was successfull. With 155 pts, "Kiss The Bride", performed by Pop Idol winner Christophe Willem, gave a second victory to France. Monaco took the second position after a serie of really bad results, and Sweden reached the third position. About other countries, just mention the first ever top 10 position of Luxembourg (4th) and a fifth top 10 position in a row for Belgium (6th).

click here to see the scoreboard

click here to see the scoreboard

Christophe Willem, born on August 3, 1983 in Enghien-les-Bains, France, is a French singer and the winner of the fourth edition of Nouvelle Star. Christophe's parents live in Deuil-la-Barre (Val-d'Oise), where they run a driving school. As a child, he learned figure skating and to play the piano. Later he learned to sing as part of a gospel choir "Young Voices". He also was composing songs at the age of fourteen. In 2004 he appeared in a Richard Anconina film, Alive, where he played the role of Henri, a young man with a golden voice who is, nevertheless, not considered suitable for the lead role in a musical. Since his film career did not continue after this, he returned to university, where he studied communication while working a number of part-time jobs, such as babysitting and helping in a theater. Pushed by his family and friends, he decided to try out for the 2006 edition of Nouvelle Star. With an initial audition performance of Strong Enough by Des'ree, he surprised the judges, who did not expect such a quality voice from an admittedly ungainly-looking man. Nicknamed "La Tortue" (The Turtle) by Nouvelle Star judge Marianne James, he proved to be a popular contestant, and on June 8th, was crowned the fourth Nouvelle Star. He has stated that he would like to record a duet on his debut album with second-place finalist Dominique Michalon. He joined artists such as Tears for Fears, Lara Fabian, and Murray Head on the Night of the Proms tour 2007. His debut album "Inventaire" was released on April 16th, 2007, while the first single, "Elu Produit De L'annee" premiered in March.

Official website: http://www.christophe-willem.com/

Lyrics

Tell me why
I don't want to touch you now
When I cry
Close the door
I can't stand to see your eyes
Anymore
No regret, don't forget
What I gave
I dont need you to explain
I don't need to wait in vain

I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
Unlike you
I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
Who cares too
I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just wanna find me a girl
To leave you

Break it all
I don't care it's not a shame
Our love is gone
Take it all
I won't ever call your name
I'll carry on
No regret, but don't forget
What I gave
I don't need you to explain
I don't need to wait in vain

I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
Unlike you
I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
Who cares too
I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
To leave you

How can I keep on loving
When you won't get along
You never thought you were
The one for me

I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
Unlike you
I don't wanna to kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
Who cares too
I don't wanna kiss the bride
I just want to find me a girl
To leave you

I don't wanna kiss the bride