Il venait d'avoir 18 ans

Il venait d'avoir 18 ans is a French song from 1973, interpreted by Dalida. It was written by Pascal Sevran, Serge Lebrail and Pascal Auriat. It is also the fifth and last number on the album Dalida (commonly known as Julien), published in 1973.

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,^[1] won the Prize of the Academy of the French Record in 1975,^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[3]

The song, which was not initially intended for Dalida was suggested for her to sing as a last resort by her authors.

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)

References