Une Nuit A Paris
Encyclopedia
"Une Nuit A Paris" is a mini rock opera
by the British
rock band 10cc
, originally taken from their 1975 album The Original Soundtrack
. Despite never being released as a single, the song appears on several "best of" compilations from the band including The Very Best Of 10cc
(1997) and Greatest Hits ... And More
(2006). The song was written by band members Kevin Godley
and Lol Creme
.
Musically the song can be described as art rock
or progressive rock
due to its multiple time changes and length. It has often drawn comparisons to the 10cc song "Feel The Benefit" from their 1977 Deceptive Bends
album, which is in a similar style.
In English, the title translates as "One Night In Paris" and the suite is divided into three separate parts:
Unlike some epic rock songs, the parts are easily distinguishable as to when they begin and end.
Lyrically the song tells a tale of a British tourist in Paris
, France
. The locals attempt to con the man into buying items such as a Swiss watch and photographs. Eventually the man ends up in the red-light district
and although he feels ripped off, sleeps with a prostitute. Due to a series of complications, a policeman arrives on the scene and is shot dead.
The song is thought to have been an influence on the song "Bohemian Rhapsody
" by Queen
, originally from their A Night At The Opera released in late 1975. The melody can also be heard in the overture to Andrew Lloyd Webber
's 1986 musical The Phantom of the Opera
.
Rock opera
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include...
by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rock band 10cc
10cc
10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...
, originally taken from their 1975 album The Original Soundtrack
The Original Soundtrack
The Original Soundtrack is a 1975 album by 10cc.-Overview:The album was the first to be released by Mercury Records after signing the band for $1 million in February 1975. The catalyst for the deal was one song – "I'm Not in Love". Stewart recalled:The Original Soundtrack, which was already...
. Despite never being released as a single, the song appears on several "best of" compilations from the band including The Very Best Of 10cc
The Very Best of 10cc
The Very Best of 10cc is a 1997 compilation album by the band 10cc. The album comes with an exclusive essay written by Chris White especially for it. It was released in the UK with 18 tracks and in the USA with 15 tracks The Very Best of 10cc is a 1997 compilation album by the band 10cc. The album...
(1997) and Greatest Hits ... And More
Greatest Hits ... And More
Greatest Hits ... And More is the name of a 2006 compilation of songs by English pop group 10cc as well as pre-10cc and post-10cc work by its founding members, Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart and Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, performing as Godley & Creme...
(2006). The song was written by band members Kevin Godley
Kevin Godley
Kevin Godley is a British musician and music video director.He was born in a family of Jewish descent, and went to North Cestrian Grammar School in Altrincham....
and Lol Creme
Lol Crème
Lol Creme is an English musician and music video director, best known for his work in 10cc. He sings, plays guitar and keyboards.-Biography:...
.
Musically the song can be described as art rock
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
or progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
due to its multiple time changes and length. It has often drawn comparisons to the 10cc song "Feel The Benefit" from their 1977 Deceptive Bends
Deceptive Bends
Deceptive Bends is an album released in 1977 by rock band 10cc.The departure of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme in 1976 to form Godley & Creme almost ended 10cc. However Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman kept the group alive as a duo...
album, which is in a similar style.
In English, the title translates as "One Night In Paris" and the suite is divided into three separate parts:
- Part 1 - One Night In Paris
- Part 2 - The Same Night In Paris
- Part 3 - Later That Same Night In Paris
Unlike some epic rock songs, the parts are easily distinguishable as to when they begin and end.
Lyrically the song tells a tale of a British tourist in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The locals attempt to con the man into buying items such as a Swiss watch and photographs. Eventually the man ends up in the red-light district
Red-light district
A red-light district is a part of an urban area where there is a concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses, such as sex shops, strip clubs, adult theaters, etc...
and although he feels ripped off, sleeps with a prostitute. Due to a series of complications, a policeman arrives on the scene and is shot dead.
The song is thought to have been an influence on the song "Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
" by Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, originally from their A Night At The Opera released in late 1975. The melody can also be heard in the overture to Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
's 1986 musical The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
.