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Paradoxal Systme
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Wikipedia article
"'Paradoxal Systme'" is a 1992 pop-ballad song recorded by French singer Laurent Voulzy. Written by Alain Souchon with a music composed by Voulzy, it was the lead single from his third studio album 'Cach derrire', on which it appears as the eighth track, and was released in June 1992. It was a top ten in France and was heavily aired on radio, and became Voulzy's one of the most famous songs.
Background and writing
In interviews, Voulzy explained that "Paradoxal Systme" was the first song from 'Cach derrire' on which Alain Souchon and he tried to work, and they did so for two weeks, every day, in Brittany; however, Voulzy was not satisfied with the model they made and, as a consequence, they decided to work on other songs of the album. Almost a year and a half later, when he was driving on the Paris ring road, Porte de Bagnolet, Voulzy had "a flash" when reviewing the model of "Paradoxal Systme", particularly when re-reading the sentence: "At night, trains travel to cities and faces". He explained: "These phrases about the unspoken, the loneliness, the sadness, the regrets when you leave someone on a station platform, that was exactly what I wanted to express"; he then understood that the song is "urban, terrestrial, in motion" and about "rails, fog, travel". "Paradoxal Systme" is the only song in his discography, along with "Jeanne", which gives him "a very strong feeling" as it seems to him that "it comes from somewhere else", and he thinks he is traveling to Belgium every time he performs it.
Critical reception
When reviewing the new singles releases, Pan-European magazine 'Music & Media' stated: "Is this the male equivalent of Mylne Farmer? It's the same kind of synth-dominated pop with a high IQ level".
Live performances
As the song deals with the physical separation of two lovers, Voulzy likes to end his concerts with "Paradoxal Systme". It was included on live albums 'Voulzy Tour' (1992), 'Lys & Love Tour' (2013), 'Mont-Saint-Michel' (2019), as well as on Voulzy's compilations 'Saisons, le double best of' (2003) and 'Florilge' (2020).
Chart performance
In France, "Paradoxal Systme" debuted at number 30 on the chart edition of 26 June 1992, reached a peak of number ten in its fifth week, and totalled 16 weeks in the top 50. On the European Hot 100, it started at number 74 on 18 July 1992, reached a peak of number 49 in its third week and totaled six weeks on the chart. Regularly played on radio, it was number for weeks on the AM National Airplay Chart, and ranked number three on the year-end chart.
Track listings
* 'CD single', CD single France (Laurent Voulzy "Paradoxal Systme") (accessdate: 23 September 2021).
# "Paradoxal Systme" 4:38
# "Ta Plage Beach Boy" 3:50
* '7" single', 7" single France (Laurent Voulzy "Paradoxal Systme") (accessdate: 23 September 2021)., 7" single Germany (Laurent Voulzy "Paradoxal Systme") (accessdate: 23 September 2021).
# "Paradoxal Systme" 4:38
# "Ta Plage Beach Boy" 3:50
* 'CD maxi', CD maxi France (Laurent Voulzy "Paradoxal Systme") (accessdate: 23 September 2021).
# "Paradoxal Systme" 4:38
# "Ta Plage Beach Boy" 3:50
# "Paradoxal Systme" (instrumental) 4:38
* '12" maxi - Promo', 12 maxi France (Laurent Voulzy "Paradoxal Systme") (accessdate: 23 September 2021).
# "Paradoxal Systme" 4:38
# "Ta Plage Beach Boy" 3:50
# "Paradoxal Systme" (instrumental) 4:38
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Release history
References
Category:1992 songs
Category:1992 singles
Category:Laurent Voulzy songs
Category:Songs written by Alain Souchon
Category:Songs about loneliness
Category:Black-and-white music videos
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