"Kolé séré" is a 1986 zouk song recorded by Guadelupean band Kassav'. Written by Jocelyne Béroard with a music composed by Jean-Claude Naimro, it was covered the next year as a duet by Béroard with singer Philippe Lavil, and was released as a single in June 1987. This version was a successful hit in France, peaking at number four.
Contents
Background, lyrics and music
Written by Béroard with a music by Naimro, "Kolé séré" was first recorded in 1986 by Kassav', the band which Béroard and Naimro were members. Martinique singer Lavil, who liked the song, proposed to Béroard to re-record the song as a duet, which she accepted on the condition that she would sing only in the Creole language; "Kolé séré" is thus sung in the two languages spoken in Martinique (Creole for Béroard, French for Lavil), while the chorus is sung by both singers in Creole. The structure of the original song was reworked to alternate verses and choruses. Lyrically, it deals with a couple who is reuniting by phone after a long time separated. The music video reverses the roles of the two former lovers: Lavil is under the sun of the Antilles, surrounded by palms and the sea, while Béroard sings in the rainy Parisian streets (the Arc de Triomphe can be seen in the background).
Cover versions
In the context of the 2020 lockdown in France, journalist Jean-Pierre Gauffre and wife Françoise proposed a parody of "Kolé séré" which includes many references to COVID-19 and that Nicolas Fauveau of France Bleu would have seen as a potential summer hit.
Chart performance
In France, "Kolé séré" debuted at number 48 on the chart edition of 27 June 1987, performed the biggest jump of the chart in its fourth week with a gain of 23 positions, peaked at number four in its ninth week, and remained for 13 weeks in the top ten and 24 weeks in the top 50. It earned a Silver disc, awarded by the Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique. On the European Hot 100 Singles, it entered at number 54 on 1 August 1988, reached a peak of number 24 in its fifth week, and fell off the chart after 19 weeks of presence. It was 74th on the year-end chart.
Track listings
7" single
"Kolé séré" — 3:55
"Fragile Sara" — 4:00 (by Philippe Lavil)
12" maxi
"Kolé séré" (remix) — 5:22
"Fragile Sara" — 4:00 (by Philippe Lavil)
"Kolé séré" (radio version) — 3:55
Personnel
Arrangement – Claude Samard
Photography – Jeff Manzetti
Production – Bob Socquet, Claude Samard, Philippe Lavil
Sleeve – Claude Caudron