We didn’t have much, as I was growing up in the 80s. We didn’t have much, but we had Dallas. And L’amour du risque. And Starsky et Hutch. We all loved them, and still do. Reruns keep the flame alive, to the point that “Dallas” was my cousin’s son’s first word. That’s why I was so looking forward to last night: Dallas was back! With the original baddies and goodies! I even missed playing football to be at home and watch it. So imagine my disappointment when the credits starting rolling and
no booming voices singing DALLAS, no singing describing what a tough and sunny world it is, nothing. No singing at all. And a different music. See for yourself:
Compare this
with this
Here are the Dallas lyrics in French, with the English translation, so you can appreciate them in their full glory:
|
French Dallas |
English Dallas |
|
Dallas ton univers impitoyable Dallas patrie du dollar du pétrole Dallas malheur à celui qui n’a pas compris |
Dallas a ruthless world Dallas home of dollar and oil Dallas pity whoever doesn’t understand |
However, I should have known this might happen. A couple of months ago, I was listening to the radio, and Stefanie Powers was mentioned. “Oh my god! That’s Jennifer from L’Amour du Risque!” Blank look from my other half. I started singing the opening credits music. Blanker look, and yet, I have a lovely singing voice. I smelt a rat. After a quick search on the internet, I realised that the series’ original name was Hart to Hart (clever), and that the French credits were completely different. Have a look:
Too much talking. We need more singing:
Again, the English translation of the French lyrics should give you an idea of what you’ve missed out on:
|
L’amour du risque |
Hart to Hart |
|
L’amour du risque L’amour du risque Jonathan Hart woh oh oh Jonathan Hart woh oh oh L’amour pour mieux risquer |
The love of risk The love of risk Jonathan Hart woh oh oh
Jonathan Hart woh oh oh Love for greater risks |
What about Starsky and Hutch, I hear you ask. It’s the same story:
English credits, that a gallic shrug would best describe:
BRILLIANT French siren-heavy intro, which simply drips with adrenaline:
|
Starsky et Hutch |
Starsky and Hutch |
|
Starsky et Hutch, Starsky et Hutch Quand les bandits sont tous en cavale Refrain Refrain |
Starsky and Hutch, Starsky and Hutch When the bandits are running away Chorus Chorus |
At first, I thought that the idea of a song in French was there as an exposition scene, to describe the setting and give us a flavour of what the series is all about. However, this theory quickly collapses with the English Hart to Hart credits, composed of a monologue by the adventurous couple’s butler telling us all about them and what they do. So I can only conclude that the French love a sing along before their weekly helping of American culture.
Beyond the credits, watching this brand new Dallas was very interesting. I don’t particularly remember thinking too much about the series as I was watching it in the 80s, but it felt like a different planet for a girl growing up in a tiny working-class village in rural France. Well, the updated version of the series still feels like it takes place a different planet. After all, it centres around the life of American millionaires, who have a back garden the size of Wales, where 70 year olds look like 30 year olds (Sue Ellen actually looks a bit younger than she did in the 80s) and where every day attitudes and practices are still very removed from life in Europe.
My favourite scene was when Bobby’s wife gets woken up in the night by a noise downstairs. What does she do? Call the police? Wake Bobby up? Grab a lamp to defend herself? No. She quietly goes next door, opens a cabinet and chooses amongst five or six ENORMOUS guns, the like of which I thought were only seen on battlefields, and goes to confront the intruder with her advanced assault rifle. A surreal moment.
Anyway, Dallas was fun, but I don’t think I’ll be missing football again, especially as I no longer get to sing along to the credits.
Thanks for the videos and post! I wouldn’t have expected such a difference between the English and French opening credits for those shows. But you know what? I totally agree with you! The French credits have WAY more power and punch. Those songs make the English originals seem cheap and tacky. Very oopmh-less.
My favourite is L’amour du risque. Definitely going to have that one stuck in my head now.
If those series were put in India they would have additional dance scenes 🙂
Fun post! I enjoy your writing style and humor, and it’s an interesting comparison between the French and English versions.
For some reason I just can’t get myself to watch the new Dallas. I liked the show when I was a kid, but I’m kind of tired of that night time soap opera type of thing. Did you think it was worth tuning in?