TOM PILLIBI

Lucienne Boyer, Jacqueline Boyer

About TOM PILLIBI

"Tom Pillibi" was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 1960, sung in French by Jacqueline Boyer. This was France's second victory in the first five years of the Contest. The song was performed thirteenth on the night (following Italy's Renato Rascel with "Romantica"). At the close of voting, it had received 32 points, placing 1st in a field of 13. The song is a moderately up-tempo number, with the singer talking about her lover - the title character. She describes his material wealth (two castles, ships, other women wanting to be with him) before admitting that he has "only one fault", that being that he is "such a liar" and that none of what she had previously said about him was true. Nonetheless, she sings, she still loves him. In what would become increasingly the norm over Contest history, the English version of the song, while still about the same man, conveyed quite a different impression. In this version, Tom is a compulsive womaniser and not to be trusted at all. Perhaps as a result of this, Des Mangan's book on Contest history confuses the issue further by describing the song as being about "A man with two castles and two boats and who's generally a right bastard, but she still loves him anyway." Boyer also recorded a German language version of the song, under the same title. 


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Tom Pillibi a deux châteaux
Le premier en Écosse
Tom Pillibi a deux châteaux
L'autre au Montenégro
Il a aussi deux grands vaisseaux
Qui vont au bout du monde
Chercher des ors et des coraux
Et les plus beaux joyaux
Il a d'la chance
Tom Pillibi
Et moi je pense 
Que je suis son amie
Il est si riche
Que je l'envie
Il est si riche
Sacré Tom Pillibi!

Tom Pillibi a deux oiseaux
Deux perroquets magiques
Tom Pillibi a deux oiseaux
L'un vert, l'autre indigo
Le premier est son avocat
Et l'autre le conseille
Car le premier parle auvergnat
Et le second chinois

Il a d'la chance
Tom Pillibi
Et moi je pense 
Que je suis son amie
Il est si sage
Que je l'envie
Il est si sage
Sacré Tom Pillibi!

Tom Pillibi a deux secrets
Qu'il ne livre à personne
Tom Pillibi a deux secrets
Moi seule je les connais
La fille du roi lui sourit
Et l'attend dans sa chambre
La fille du roi lui sourit
Et la bergère aussi
Il a d'la chance Tom Pillibi
Et moi je pense
Que je suis son amie
Quelle bonne étoile
Veille sur lui
Quelle bonne étoile
Sacré Tom Pillibi!

Tom Pillibi n'a qu'un défaut
Le mal n'est pas bien grave
Tom Pillibi n'a qu'un défaut
Le mal n'est pas bien gros
Il est charmant, il a bon cœur
Il est plein de vaillance
Il est charmant, il a bon cœur
Mais il est si menteur...
Que rien n'existe
De tout cela
Mais je m'en fiche
Quand je suis dans ses bras
Car je suis reine
De grand pays
Où il m'entraîne...
Sacré Tom Pillibi!

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Jacqueline Boyer

Jacqueline Boyer (born Eliane Ducos, 23 April 1941) is a French singer and actress. She is also the daughter of performers Jacques Pills and Lucienne Boyer. In 1960, she won the Eurovision Song Contest for France singing "Tom Pillibi", with music composed by André Popp and lyrics by Pierre Cour. The resulting single reached #33 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1960. At 18 years and 341 days of age at the time of her victory, Boyer was the first teenager to win the contest and the youngest until 1964. more »

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Written by: PIERRE COUR, ANDRE CHARLES JEAN POPP

Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Historic Achievement
"Tom Pillibi" was the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960, representing France. This was France's second victory in the contest.
Artist Details
Sung by Jacqueline Boyer, "Tom Pillibi" was her most well-known and successful song. Boyer is the daughter of French singers Lucienne Boyer and Jacques Pills.
Record-Breaking
When Jacqueline Boyer won the contest in 1960, she was just 18 years old making her one of the youngest winners in the history of the contest.
Composition Facts
The song was composed by André Popp, with lyrics written by Pierre Cour. The duo also responsible for "Papa Loves Mambo."
Lyrics Interpretation
"Tom Pillibi" tells the story of a young woman's love for a fictional wealthy man from Ireland named Tom Pillibi. He is described as having many fabulous riches and treasures, but his greatest treasure is the love he holds for the song's protagonist.
Literacy Influence
The song is often considered as a nursery rhyme because it tells a kind of sweet childish fairy tale.
Language
"Tom Pillibi" is performed in French. However, it has been covered by various artists in multiple languages including English, German and Dutch.
Popularity
It was number one in the French singles sales chart from 12 March to 2 July 1960.
Worldwide Success
Despite being sung in French, "Tom Pillibi" was a commercial success internationally. In the United States, it was particularly popular in the Midwest.
Cover Versions
Several artists including Aneka, Marie Laforêt, Monique Leyrac and more recently Christine and the Queens, have covered "Tom Pillibi."
Legacy
More than 50 years after it was first performed, the catchy refrain of "Tom Pillibi" is still remembered and sung by Eurovision fans around the world.
Stage Performance
Jacqueline Boyer's performance of the song on the Eurovision stage was memorable for its simplicity and charm, a contrast to many of the more extravagant performances seen in recent years.

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