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Cherchez La Femme
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Wikipedia article
"'Cherchez La Femme'" (French for 'Seek the woman') is a song that was written and performed by Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band with lead vocals by Cory Daye in 1976. The music was written by band-leader and pianist Stony Browder Jr. and John Schonberger, Richard Coburn '(n' Frank Reginald DeLong; 18861952), and Vincent Rose; with lyrics by Browder Jr.'s brother and bassist August Darnell. The song's full title is '"Whispering"/"Cherchez La Femme"/"Se Si Bon"' [sic]. "Cherchez La Femme" became the group's biggest hit.
The song's opening lyric is notable in itself as it makes a reference to record executive Tommy Mottola, who was instrumental in giving the act their major label deal. Along with the tracks "Sour and Sweet" and "I'll Play the Fool", "Cherchez La Femme" went to #1 on the disco chart. "Cherchez La Femme" also charted on the pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts.
Track listing
; 7" Single
# "Whispering" / "Cherchez La Femme" / "Se Si Bon" - 3:33
# "Sunshower" - 4:02
Charts
Weekly charts
{| class="wikitable sortable"!Chart (197677)
!Peak
position
|-
|Australia
|align="center"|49
|-
|-
|Canada Top Singles ('RPM')
|align="center"|23
|-
|Canada Adult Contemporary ('RPM')
| style="text-align:center;"|18
|-
|-
|-
|US 'Billboard' Hot 100
|align="center"|27
|-
|US Disco Action Top 30 ('Billboard')
|align="center"|1
|-
|US Easy Listening ('Billboard')
|align="center"|22
|-
|US Hot Soul Singles ('Billboard')
|align="center"|31
|}
Year-end charts
Gloria Estefan version
"'Cherchez La Femme'" was covered by Cuban American singer-songwriter Gloria Estefan on her fourth studio album, 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me'. It was released as the fifth single from the album in the US, Australia and Benelux.
Critical reception
Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' commented, "In 1977, romantic couples took the floor every time Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was played. Now another "femme" is singing the nostalgic swing band song with equal joy." Phil Shanklin of ReviewsRevues wrote in his review of the 'Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me' album, that it is "a brave move" to cover the song. He added, "Gloria s vocal lacks the playful coquettishness of Cory Dayes but it is great to hear it again amongst her selections of songs."Track listings
Official versions
'Original Versions'
# Album Version (4:58)
'Pablo Flores & Jose "Pepe" Ojeda Remixes'
# Radio Club Mix (4:55)
# Alternative Radio Club Mix (3:54)
# "Femme Fatale" Club Mix (8:24)
'Ronnie Ventura Remixes'
# Piano Mix (6:39)
# Doom Dub (8:16)
# Ballroom Vocal Mix (7:29)
'Remixes'
# The GStyle & DJ WT Mix (8:16)
# The Gary Q Mix (7:00)
# The Danny C. & Giuseppe G. Mix (6:30)
# The Marc "DJ Stew" Pirrone Dub (5:10)
# The Charley Casanova Mix (5:38)
Charts
Popular culture
*The original recording of "Cherchez La Femme" was part of the soundtrack to the 1998 film, '54'.
See also
*'Cherchez la femme' (saying)
References
Category:1976 songs
Category:1976 singles
Category:1995 singles
Category:RCA Records singles
Category:Gloria Estefan songs
Category:Disco songs
Category:Franglais songs
Category:Songs written by August Darnell
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