Les Bicyclettes de Belsize (song)

"Les Bicyclettes de Belsize"
Single by Engelbert Humperdinck
B-side "Three Little Words (I Love You)"
Released 1968
Format 45 RPM single
Label Decca
Songwriter(s) Reed, Mason
Producer(s) Peter Sullivan

"Les Bicyclettes de Belsize", as theme song of the 1968 eponymous musical film, was sung by Anthony May in the movie. As a 45-rpm single, it was a big hit that year, in parallel English and French versions, for Engelbert Humperdinck and Mireille Mathieu, respectively. The French version premiered on Mathieu's 1968 Columbia album, Les Bicyclettes de Belsize [1]. The English version premiered as a single in 1968, and was then included on Humperdinck's 1969 album Engelbert.[2]

Notwithstanding the song's French title, it and the rest of the 30-minute film were written in English. The British short is a nominal parody of the French feature film, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg - to the extent one can even sing the words "les parapluies de Cherbourg" to the same tune. Although produced in 1968, the film was released theatrically in 1969, prompting some to think it was inspired by the song.[3]

Background

The song was written by Les Reed and Barry Mason.[4] In November 1968, Billboard reported that Humperdinck's recording of the single had dropped from #9 to #12. In Belgium it entered the charts at #7. In Singapore it reached #2.[5]

Notable releases

  • Engelbert Humperdinck – "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" / "Three Little Words (I Love You)" - Decca F.12834 - 1968[6]
  • Mireille Mathieu - Les Bicyclettes De Belsize/- 1968
  • Nada - "Las bicicletas de Belsize" / Sony - 1969
  • Alfredo – "Las bicicletas de Belsize" / Philips - 1969
  • Waldo de los Rios – "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" / Instrumental
  • Nada Trio - "Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" / Olis music 1998
  • Marco T – "Las Bicicletas de Belsize" / Tulsan producciones - 2016

Charts

Chart (1968–69) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[8] 4
Germany (Official German Charts)[9] 26
Ireland (IRMA)[10] 3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 18
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[13] 31
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[14] 3

References

  1. ↑ Mireille Mathieu Discography
  2. ↑ Engelbert Humperdinck Discography
  3. ↑ Les Bicyclettes de Belsize (Short Film)
  4. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series Page 53 1969 Current Registrations
  5. ↑ Billboard, November 16, 1968 Page 71 Billboard Hits of the World Belgium, Britain, Singapore
  6. ↑ Discogs Engelbert Humperdinck – Les Bicyclettes De Belsize / Three Little Words (I Love You)
  7. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Engelbert – Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  8. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Engelbert – Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  9. ↑ "Musicline.de – Engelbert Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  10. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Engelbert Humperdinck". Irish Singles Chart.
  11. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Engelbert – Les Bicyclettes de Belsize" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. ↑ "Engelbert Humperdinck: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ "Engelbert Humperdinck Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. ↑ "Engelbert Humperdinck Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
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