Eurovision 1991 France

Amina performing "Le dernier qui a parlé" ("The last one who spoke"), the French entry at the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest.
One of my all-time favourites, a haunting Mediterranean-urban melody of stunning beauty, and a perfect performance by the beautiful Amina. She remains the Eurovision participant to have come closest to winning without actually doing so, finishing with the same amount of points as Sweden, and ultimately beaten by the countback rules of the time (which today would have made Amina the winner).

[@jessicamy]

The real winner of Eurovision 1991.

[@TheRealTricky]

chileepengwin She was tied for first place with Sweden who won by the tie break rule they had at the time. The rules were changed later, and in the current rules, this would have won in stead of Sweden, meaning that you are not entirely "incorrect". Oh yeah, I love the song too :)

[@hayttman]

what was the tiebreaker rules and what have they been changed to?

[@itsturt]

In that day, it was based on how many 12 points were received. Carola and Amina both received the same number of 12 points, so they then checked the number of 10 points received. Carola received more 10 points than Amina making her the winner. Nowadays, the winning entry is the one voted for by the most countries. Amina's song received points from more countries than Carola's song did, so by today's conventions she would have won. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voting_at_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest#Tie-breakers

[@verkaforever]

Agreed!

[@bruceleroyhoffman]

True ❤️

[@kenanstrujic6162]

My favourite Eurovision song of all time! Pure french elegance, sophistication and charm in 3 minutes.

[@michaeladonia6139]

100% Tunisian girl 👊🇹🇳 I Remember this year between Carola 🇸🇪 and France! As a swedish/ tunisian it was NOT a difficult choice, Amina was the absolute winner 🏆

[@9grand]

@@michaeladonia6139 No need to be born in France , to represent France or french élégance!!!

[@pimmagrimm]

that's the most frickin chilled out performance I've ever seen at Eurovision. Its like she's performing for a room of ten!

[@br3menPT]

Hated in 1991 when i was a kid...but clearly this is pure class such an elegant entry. Congratulations France. I love this entry, 12 points!!!

[@kwattasse1574]

moi pareil!!!

[@6hnh6hnh]

This is the best Eurovision song of all time and Amina gave an absolutely unforgettable performance. I simply Googled her name, found out about her and bought her albums. She was robbed of the Winner's Crown but she remains in the thoughts and hearts of all of us that witnessed her performance (to this day). I am just pleased to see that so many of us agree!

[@6hnh6hnh]

Spot on!

[@user-sg5il6mv7l]

Rob Kirby so true

[@bruceleroyhoffman]

Totally agree 🙂

[@9grand]

@Ian Meredith She is tunisian!!!!

[@antaresr-p2.081]

@@9grand she is french-tunisian... lol

[@stefanlevchenko1312]

She is magical

[@bobduvar]

Moi je l'adore !

[@HKTENERGIE]

Magnifique musique et paroles. Je l adore

[@Martin9476]

The greatest Eurovision winner that never was.

[@milanbosika3816]

Martin, you are wrong. The greatest ESC winner that never was - Željko Joksimović and " Lane moje"

[@SchibbiSchibbi]

Lane moje. I get goosebumps everytime the flute begins.....

[@Euroviking86]

I'll have to agree with you Martin. To that eclectic list I would also add Australia 2016 and Belgium 2003, just to name a few.

[@ImDannyboi]

and France 2001 :)

[@miwildberries]

better than the winner :) a year with great songs tough

[@moonfloated]

Here from Holland, I'm yet 36 years old and remember when this AMAZING Amina had the fullest right to win because she had set an act and a song that was just UNIQUE and really fantastic ! This was my Number 1 of 1991 and of ALL TIME ! I also went to the CD-Store to buy the CD-Maxi and album (Yalil) that I still own now in 2013 :D FAN -- TAS -- TIC !!!

[@EdjeMr1975]

2018 and still Amazing Thank U France 🇫🇷

[@ACH-mar]

2022 ^;^

[@Massev6871]

This really original song SHOULD have won. Greetings from Ireland.

[@vigulfmusicproduct]

On Eurovision..The most Beutiful Woman Ever! And the song is realy a Legend!

[@sergeyyak]

She is the best ever from the Eurovision contest ever

[@Olamellamoalex]

One of the most perfect performances on Eurovision ever and the best one of 1991 by miles.

[@user-tf5qr7fy2i]

I remember the excitement that I felt, when watching the Eurovision Song Contest with my family back in 1991. Already at the time, this music competition was the annual high light of the year for my sake. Yet I recall the frustration and disappointment, that I felt in my entire body as a 12 year kid, when this lovely, French song didn't win in the end. Because it was my favourite. After all these years, I still remember very well those minutes when the points were counted. This song has some good qualities that I really appreciate. It's a beautiful song, and I still feel that it is, and I hope that more songs like this will find their way to the competition.

[@BobWhorton]

still loving this 28 years on...

[@Lommy9999]

The most beautiful Eurovision song ever

[@Massivo07]

One of the best songs from France. Amina is great.

[@Frederic1406]

Outstanding performance, she truly owns the stage, her voice is really skilled... Such elegance! And the song is gorgeous. Truly one of the best performances in all ESC history.

[@Jbenpac]

Une question, est-ce tu sais si elle prononce les mots d'une façon differente a celle de la France Metropolitaine? Merci!

[@Frederic1406]

@@Jbenpac Amina parle français comme les gens de la France métropolitaine. Il y a simplement une toute petite pointe d'accent sur certaines voyelles nasales. Mais c'est normal, Amina est Tunisienne. C'est quelqu'un de totalement bilingue avec un léger accent de Tunisie (mais il faut sûrement être Français pour le détecter).

[@Jbenpac]

@@Frederic1406 Merci beaucoup !

[@jamesobrien9842]

An amazing song. So unusual for the ESC. Under the 1969 rules (when there was a 4-way tie) this would have been one of the winners. Also under todays rules, it would win having received points from more juries than the Swedish song rather than the count-back rule of the time. So unfortunate not to win. A truly superb song.

[@goranstojanov2109]

So original song . Such a unique voice Perfection Amina the real winner 🏆

[@shineonyoucrazydiamond824]

Must agree even tho im swedish

[@Inyourlap]

The best song in the Eurovision Song Contest. Subtle, intelligent and beautiful lyrics. Perfect interpretation. Such a shame. Should have won.

[@chrisalain8490]

La classe à l'état pur! Quelle magnifique interprétation! La prestation d'Amina est restée dans nos mémoires et elle mériterait d'être soulignée plus amplement chaque année lorsque revient le temps de l'Eurovision. On évoque chaque fois, à juste titre, "L'oiseau et l'enfant" mais on oublie trop souvent Amina et cette chanson au charme délicat et envoûtant.

[@Jbenpac]

Une question, est-ce tu sais si elle prononce les mots d'une façon differente a celle de la France Metropolitaine? Merci!

[@chrisalain8490]

@@Jbenpac Il y a bien sûr une petite touche exotique (qui pour moi renforce encore la beauté de cette interprétation).

[@Jbenpac]

@@chrisalain8490 Oui, mais pouvez vous me dire dans quels mots?

[@avagafonov]

This is pure magic!

[@MrOystein1977]

I begin to wonder where i was back in 1991 when i heard this song for the first times.. Somewhat i didnt liked it so much back then. But now i playing it over and over again. Its one of the most beutiful eurovision songs ever.... Just love it.. :)

[@aviadmei]

Absolutely outstanding!!!! TOP 5 OF ALL TIME EUROVISION SONGS!!!!!! DUZ PUA FROM ISRAEL!!!!

[@nadirlino933]

I never forget this song and singer.

[@NikosCretann]

my all time No 1 favourite ESC song!

[@paulotav9066]

mine tooo

[@Lommy9999]

Forever the best song in Eurovision!

[@niko-xg5wn]

This song has a haunting type beauty to it.... simply amazing!

[@klarinetta]

This one is very close to make it to my top 20. Definitely one of the best songs in ESC history.

[@Tatjana.B]

I remember Amina and it was so good.

[@abdelmalik1674]

Tu aurais dû être la gagnante Amina....merci pour ce bijoux

[@minardi9992]

Elle a moins de 10 points que Carola donc elle perd, dura lex sed lex

[@Lommy9999]

The BEST song in ESC history. And it didn't win.

[@Capver]

Magnifique ❤️ Amina, la plus belle chanson et performance à l,'Eurovision. Des frissons pour son génie et sa grâce

[@michaelfreemantle4295]

This was was easily the best song that year

[@kennet7837]

Best French entry ever!

[@pirjoioannou1435]

I hope my comment brings this video up on the ratings... I was living in Sweden at the time and was very happy for Carola's win, but never forgot this performance. Amina is and always will be an amazing singer and performer !

[@chanchi62]

Excellent performance, beautiful singer and a voice that is beyond words.....

[@RouteZeroSix]

I have discovered (or rediscovered) this song lately during the blind auditions of The Voice (France). The song & the performance of Amina at the Eurovision are stellar

[@Euroviking86]

I'm glad it seems to have stirred interest in the timeless original.

[@rodhoulders4054]

remember watching this on Eurovision and it still to this day gives me goosebumps,i cannot even remember the winning song.Amina should have won with this amazing and haunting song.

[@MokaMoka-sh1jk]

Quelle merveille cette chanson, cette voix de la belle Amina,qui aurait dû gagner l'Eurovision !💐💐💐💐👍👍👍👍💐💐💐💐

[@manderas]

for me one of my favorites eurovision songs EVER !!! what a performance and voice ! ! ! ! Even in 2016 this song sounds fresh ! For me the real winner in 1991

[@EldaMengisto]

This wasn't a song I got initially, as I thought it was a bit low-key. Over multiple listens, however, and I realized how sophisticated and elegant it was. From the complex lyrics (presumably) musing about power dynamics to the North African influences in the instrumental, it's quite the song! And Amina's performance that night was nothing short of enthralling and enrapturing. While Carola deserved her victory with her energy and her vibrant song, I think Amina and her song stood better against the test of time. One of my all-time favorites, and possibly the best French song in the contest.

[@brokebackgio]

One of the few Eurovision songs i still listen to and feel its uniqueness! Simply fantastic!

[@paulinevanede5485]

Best song ever in Eurovision

[@chrismattravers5434]

Wonderful .... came joint first, but lost out to a pixie singing the usual euro-tosh! Amina hardly moves but is so sensual. An international star denied - could have been one of the greats! I heard it live and was blown away!!! Vive la France et North Africa x

[@Dukiduledoozy]

👏

[@adamchristie4735]

I am absolutely still gutted that this didn't win.

[@diyac9554]

I love Amina, have been a fan of her music for decades, and only now found out she had almost won Eurovision!! Brilliant to see this. So happy to find this gem on YT. ❤

[@bobduvar]

Amina en ce 17 juillet 2016, je te dis : JE T'AIME.... Message hautement important !

[@999Melinda]

til now she is wonderful - a real woman with the real voice

[@annakobuk3618]

The song that was so close to winning. Now almost completely forgotten.

[@lyverbird1973]

I've just watched this and Swedish winner back to back. There is just no comparison. Amina oozes class, style and intrigue and Carola, pleasant as she is, is singing a by the numbers piece of bubblegum pop that would have been dated half a decade prior to this contest. I understand why people enjoyed the winner but this was by far the better song.

[@oscarkuller8065]

lyverbird1973 : no quite boring not my style Sweden deserves the profit

[@sebnemylm]

Winner was some eurovision authority's wife and she was pregnant 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 so maybe as a gift, she was declared as the winner? i think that's the only reason why amina came 2nd. It's obvious that amina's song was not only 1991's but also whole eurovision's best song!

[@Denis-89]

No need to trash Carola who by no means is a bad winner! She had a very energetic lively performance that incorporated both dance and song which is very tricky to pull off but she did it flawlessly. And the song might be bubblegum pop but people at least remembered it and it was catchy

[@greggel]

agreed

[@mickthevan]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Amina was my choice at the time and had it not been for the callyfudging of the rules was the joint winner, having more countries voting for the song than Sweden.

[@amitaimedan]

Beautiful song and performance.

[@eliclarke4014]

This should have won this year 100%! Best French Eurovision song EVER alongside Natasha at Pier 2001!

[@carlito414]

Pour moi, la dernière victoire de La France à l Eurovision ce n est pas 1977 mais bel et bien 1991!!! Bravo Amina !!! Magnifique Amina !!! ❣❣️❣️

[@Jbenpac]

Une question, est-ce tu sais si elle prononce les mots d'une façon differente a celle de la France Metropolitaine? Merci!

[@nave3434]

@@Jbenpac non les mots sont identiques, seul l’accent change

[@Jbenpac]

@@nave3434 oui mais dans quels mots change l'accent

[@nave3434]

@@Jbenpac pour toutes la musique, tout les mots sont prononcés avec accent

[@Jbenpac]

@@nave3434 merci!

[@Lommy9999]

The best Eurovision song EVER. (I'm not French).

[@iliast]

She is not French either. She is Tunisian.

[@Lommy9999]

@@iliast She is French. With Tunisian background. She is more French than you.

[@iliast]

@@Lommy9999 What "background" means? All the naturalized "French" from a bunch of colonies and countries with political affiliations from France, who were "recruited" for sports, art or anything else, are not French. They are mercenaries by force.

[@ronenj53]

The best one and the most beautiful song in 1991 !! She is defintely the winner by far !!!! Great and unique voice with that perfect melody ! Untill today 2021 it is a very special song ! The most wonderful song and that amazing singer Amina is absolutely fabulous lady !!! Terrific song forever with such a lovely performance ! WOW 🏆🏆💎💎🙏🙏🔝🔝🔝♥️❤❤♥️

[@MKskimacedonia]

oh somebody is still listening

[@hipotenuza5663]

MK skimacedonia Да,бе. За то време беше нешто сосема поразлично од другите. И вреди да се слуша.

[@MKskimacedonia]

@@hipotenuza5663 неспорно

[@mariamartin6078]

Amazing Song.

[@michaelaskew6025]

I loved this back in 1991 and I still love this song now. The best Eurovision song and, in its own right, a timeless classic.

[@yvindHarv]

My all time favorite! ....AND it's only getting better!

[@SEHAWE]

I live in Sweden, but i have to give credits to this girl. Wonderful. Strong. Clear. Onest. This is the winnet of this contest. Sorry, Carola, You have good qualities, but Your song is poppy poppy. This one is sexy and powerful.

[@tadge72]

So much better than carolas effort . Beautiful song and presentation.

[@EmoBearRights]

She's was robbed - how do you say that in French?

[@dimitriheemskerk8645]

Indeed. She was her time far a head and doesn’t sounds so old fashioned like Carola.

[@oneminutesong]

FANTASTIC ! she should win the Eurovision !

[@kwattasse1574]

Je détestais cette chanson quand j'étais petite. Maintenant je la trouve vraiment jolie

[@ludo281160]

This was such a wonderful performance at the Euro Song Contest!! Already 20 years ....This was the period France surely was the country that was very creative and inventing some *other* music styles, even looking over the border line!!! Many thanks for sharing. Unforgettable song!

[@user-hv2qk3ji1l]

This song was the winner simple!!!

[@sebastienalbert79]

Love 😍 c’est elle qui aurait du gagner le concours !!

[@gg454lune]

We were so close. . .

[@omarfannoush1547]

Such a great voice and performance

[@b-yamine]

J'avais 14ans je m'en souviens très bien encore c'était un son tellement orientale.. très audacieux a l'époque et je me souviens que lors de l'attribution des points c'était très serrés mais l'Europe avait été conquis

[@SherLizz]

Still Awesome after over 2 decades!

[@kriimuline]

I was 11 this year and I watched eurovison with my mother. This was our favorite song, hands down, and I haven't seen or heard about it in 18 years. But I checked it out now and yes, it is as good as I remembered. Very pleasant tune.

[@mrtorstai5336]

How did this not win? A true masterpiece. A song with a message sung by a true performer. Every single gesture is stunning. And so stylish. I wonder how the accordean player could to his job, while he looked at him. Most beautiful woman in ESC history.

[@TheFantasy73]

O my, I was very young at the time. Still I bought her cd. I was in love with Amina and her voice. She was my winner!!! When she lost I never really followed the song contest anymore. Love ya AminaXXX

[@vincentgaydon5621]

joined by Barbara 2nd place 🇫🇷🤩

[@michaelkourtoubelides5943]

This should have won

[@stephsony9620]

She s like an Angel floating over the stage

[@leonidasse]

Regardless of the whole swedish shlager vs more-ambitious-kind-of-music dispute eurovision is also VISION. Don’t wanna sound rude but don’t even attempt to compare the visual aspects of the two performances (and ladies). What a beauty Amina is.

[@ikouts]

This is one of the most beautiful songs of the ESC ever! Plus: it should be in the official catalogues of Eurovision as Winner 1991 too! Amina, please accept the admiration of a greek fan of yours.

[@alnsubuga]

Thanks for uploading. I’ve been looking for this video for years! Back in the late 90’s-early 00’s the internet wasn’t what it is today so I eventually gave up, but I never forgot this beautiful performance. I was gutted she didn’t win.

[@MonsieurAlbi]

La chanson est super! Celle-ci est une de mes chansons préférées de tous les temps...! Bien sûr qui méritait gagner ! Hyper top Amina..ah, quelles belles époques pour l'Eurovision! Salut de l'Albanie

[@Jbenpac]

Une question, est-ce tu sais si elle prononce les mots d'une façon differente a celle de la France Metropolitaine? Merci!

[@tidecembre]

C'est incroyable la justesse du début à la fin, une vraie chanteuse !

[@shostak]

i remember this song from that eurovision it was very special and vocality of the singer was really amazing Amina was amazing with her voice.

[@oiooi6460]

It really should have won in my opinion. Effortlessly stylish.

[@shineonyoucrazydiamond824]

Would have won today actually

[@utube3276]

Quelle belle chanson originale. Et sa voix d’ange, superbe. La différence de qualité avec la “gagnante” Suède en 1991 est stupéfiante !

[@bumblebee7547]

sweden was better this year

[@shineonyoucrazydiamond824]

As a swede this was much better than the Swedish entry

[@bumblebee7547]

@@shineonyoucrazydiamond824 no it wasn't

[@Jbenpac]

Une question, est-ce tu sais si elle prononce les mots d'une façon differente a celle de la France Metropolitaine? Merci!

[@robertomendez1823]

Amina, tu canción es de esas que pueden escucharse para siempre.

[@idcydk91]

both carola and amina had amazing performances. some of the best in esc history. i wish they could share the victory :)

[@horilaw424]

Finally someone else who thinks this :" I wish they had kept the ex aequo

[@racinesprofondes61]

Sorry but it's Better than Carolina.

[@lemonia18]

Check the greek entry of that year.

[@sandral3390]

Beautiful!!! 💕 Sandra from Sweden

[@HKTENERGIE]

Wonderful Amina. Tu méritais de gagner

[@jchdhc]

the real winner of that year

[@bluesky8797]

France should have won in 1991.

[@user-vh2li3ob7t]

Greek G. israel beter allso sweden

[@cristianmartin4811]

Yes.

[@hilde1982dance]

My favourite ever Eurovision song!!!

[@revloninlove7716]

Canción excepcional con alma Africana y cuerpo Francés. Tema de gran belleza, aún la tengo grabada en mi memoria. Amina fue el descubrimiento del año: arte, misterio, talento y voz. Su segunda posición in extremis con 146 puntos, es tan insuficiente! Empato a puntos y doces, sólo tuvo dos dieces, Suecia cinco. 12 Puntos.

[@yafayafa9601]

I was a kid when i watched the competition on tv, i cried the heck out of myself when Carola got to be the winner while she was so much behind Amina that evening. LOVE U, AMINA!

[@a._wesker]

Both France and Sweden deserved to win on that year.

[@ytorrejone]

One of my all time favourite Eurovision songs.

[@TheBertieW]

I am adicted to this song, I do not remember who ended at the first place......The most beautifull ESC song till today.

[@SchibbiSchibbi]

wasn't it Sweden? Fangard in stormvind?

[@Kapok-Bush]

@ Bobduvar - LOOOOLLLLL !!!!!!!!

[@antaresr-p2.081]

@@bobduvar MDR !!!!

[@cristianmartin4811]

Creo que es mi candidatura favorita de las de Francia. Fantástica.