"Garçon" is the debut single by French singer Koxie, from her eponymous debut album, on which it features as the third track. It topped the charts of France and Belgium for two months.

"Garçon"
Single by Koxie
from the album Koxie
B-side"J'aime"
Released25 June 2007 (France)
RecordedFrance
Length3:36
LabelAZ
Songwriter(s)Stephane Bonvent, Koxie, Aurelien Mazin, Charles Aznavour
Producer(s)Stéphane Bonvent
Koxie singles chronology
"Garçon"
(2007)
"Ma Meilleure Amie"
(2008)

Background

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"Garçon, si t'enlèves la cédille
Ça fait garcon
Et gare aux cons ma fille
Gare aux cons..."

— Beginning of the refrain

Koxie created her Myspace page with her first single "Garçon" also known under the title "Gare aux cons". The song evokes, with humour, the exasperation of a young woman towards the stupidity (sexism and vulgarity) of some men (boys in the text). The song is based on a Dr. Dre sample, which is itself based on a Charles Aznavour recording.[1]

The song was a huge success online as well as on singles charts.[2] Koxie released the single on the AZ label on 25 June 2007. To promote the song, she performed "Garçon" on many French programmes.

The song is also available on many French compilations, such as Hits 2 en 1 2007 Vol. 3, Hits 2008, Starfloor Vol. 7, NRJ Hit Music Only! 2007 and The Very Best of 2007.

Music video

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In the music video, Koxie is on her scooter and is accosted by a black man in a car, accompanied by his friends. This one addresses her vulgar words. Koxie tries to reason with him by saying that it is not a way of speaking to a woman and finally, the man begins crying in her arms, explaining that he acts so because he is incited by his friends.

Cover versions and parodies

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A Skyrock listener made "Gare aux thons", a parody of Koxie's song, and broadcast it on YouTube. The French host Cauet covered the song under the title "Coxis".

In 2008, the song was covered by Michèle Laroque, Jean-Baptiste Maunier and Karen Mulder and included in a medley named "Le Match" available on Les Enfoirés' album Les Secrets des Enfoirés. In 2009, French band La Pompe Moderne released its album Greatest Hits with a cover version of "Garçon".[3]

Chart performances

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In France, the single debuted at number 11 on 30 June 2007 and reached the top ten the week after. At the end of August, the single peaked number one on the singles chart and remained there for seven weeks. It totaled 22 weeks in the top ten, 26 weeks in the top 50 and 31 weeks on the chart.[4] Certified Platinum disc by the SNEP,[5] the single was the second best-selling single of 2007,[6] with 282,196 copies sold.[7] It was also number one for two weeks on the French Digital Chart,[8] peaking at number 15 on the annual chart.[9] As of July 2014, it is the 91st best-selling single of the 21st century in France, with 318,000 units sold.[10]

The single charted from 1 September 2007 on the Belgian (Wallonia) Ultratop Singles Chart, reached quickly number one. It managed to top the chart for seven not consecutive weeks. It fell off the chart after 24 weeks.[11] The single achieved Gold status[12] and was ranked number 11 on 2007 Belgian End of Year Chart.[13]

The single had a moderate success in Switzerland, peaking only at number 44.[14]

Track listings

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  • CD single
No.TitleLength
1."Garçon"3:36
2."J'aime"3:47
  • Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Garçon"3:36

Charts and sales

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Certifications and sales

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Certifications for "Garçon"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[12] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[5] Platinum 300,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "What's the Difference" (2001 album), based on "Parce que tu crois", by Charles Aznavour
  2. ^ Découvre le "Rap chic" de Koxie ! MCM.net (Retrieved 7 December 2007)
  3. ^ "Greatest Hits, La Pompe Moderne" (in French). Fnac Musique. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
  4. ^ a b "Garçon", French SNEP Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved 7 December 2007)
  5. ^ a b "French single certifications – Koxie – Garçon" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  6. ^ a b 2007 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived 4 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 19 April 2008)
  7. ^ "Disques 2007 : Mika a fait bouger la France", Charles Decant, 12 March 2008 Ozap.com Archived 11 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 28 April 2008)
  8. ^ a b French Digital Tracks Chart (Top 50) Ifop.com Archived 25 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 13 December 2007)
  9. ^ a b 2007 French Digital Chart Ifop.com Archived 18 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 26 April 2008)
  10. ^ "Top 100 des singles les plus vendus du millénaire en France, épisode 1 (100–91)". Chartsinfrance. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  11. ^ a b Belgian (Wallonia) Ultratop 40 Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 7 December 2007)
  12. ^ a b "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2007". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  13. ^ a b 2007 Belgian Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived 20 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 19 April 2008)
  14. ^ a b "Garçon", Swiss Singles Chart Lescharts.com (Retrieved 7 December 2007)
  15. ^ French Airplay Chart Francecharts.site.voila.fr (Retrieved 13 December 2007)
  16. ^ a b 2007 French Airplay and Video Charts Yacast.fr (Retrieved 14 May 2008)
  17. ^ 2008 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be Archived 23 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 26 December 2008)