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| Nous Sommes Paris | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nous Sommes Paris |
| Type | charity single |
| Artist | collective ensemble |
| Released | November 2015 |
| Recorded | October–November 2015 |
| Studio | multiple studios in Paris, London, Los Angeles |
| Genre | pop, chanson, tribute |
| Length | 3:48 |
| Label | independent |
Nous Sommes Paris
"Nous Sommes Paris" is a 2015 charity single recorded by a collective ensemble of European and international artists in response to the November 2015 attacks in Paris. The single brought together prominent performers, composers, conductors and ensembles to raise funds and solidarity for victims associated with venues and institutions affected by the events. Released within days to weeks after the attacks, the piece became part of a broader wave of musical tributes alongside benefit concerts and commemorative releases across France, Europe, and United States cultural sectors.
The single emerged after coordinated terrorist attacks at the Bataclan theatre, Stade de France, and multiple sites in central Paris on 13 November 2015. In the aftermath, major cultural institutions such as the Opéra Bastille, Théâtre du Châtelet, Palais Garnier, and venues like the Olympia (Paris) and Le Trianon suspended programming or organized vigils. Political leaders including François Hollande, Manuel Valls, and international figures such as Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and David Cameron issued public statements; civil society organizations including La Croix-Rouge française and Fondation de France coordinated relief efforts. A constellation of music industry stakeholders — from independent labels to orchestras like the Orchestre de Paris and choirs affiliated with conservatories like the Conservatoire de Paris — convened to organize benefit recordings and fundraisers.
Organizers recruited performers from diverse backgrounds, including pop stars, chansonniers, classical soloists, conductors, and session musicians associated with studios in Abbey Road Studios, Studio Guillaume Tell, and facilities in Hollywood and Isle of Wight. Producers worked with arrangers familiar with cross-genre collaborations seen in projects involving figures like Sting, Alicia Keys, Ed Sheeran, Paul McCartney, and ensembles modeled after charity efforts such as Band Aid and Artists for Haiti. The recording process was expedited: orchestral overdubs, choir sessions, and solo vocal tracks were compiled, mixed, and mastered under tight deadlines. The single was distributed through digital platforms and sold as a download and limited CD, with proceeds earmarked for victims via intermediaries such as Restos du Cœur and municipal relief funds overseen by the Mairie de Paris.
The lyrics combined French phrases and multilingual refrains, echoing themes of resilience, solidarity, and mourning found in other commemorative songs like Imagine (John Lennon song) tributes and charity singles such as Do They Know It's Christmas?. Poetic references invoked landmarks — Seine, Île de la Cité, Montmartre — and institutions like Hôtel de Ville, Paris and cultural sites to anchor the text in place. Lyricists drew on traditions established by songwriters affiliated with labels like EMI and Sony Music, and on the melodic sensibilities of composers from the French chanson lineage exemplified by figures such as Édith Piaf, Georges Brassens, and Serge Gainsbourg. The refrain articulated a civic affirmation and invited international audiences by referencing cities and capitals including London, New York City, Berlin, Rome, and Madrid.
The single charted on national charts in France and appeared on curated playlists in United Kingdom and United States markets. Music critics from publications like Le Monde, The Guardian, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Le Figaro discussed the single amid debates over the role of celebrity activism exemplified by prior events such as the Live Aid and 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief. Humanitarian organizations reported that proceeds supported medical care and counseling for survivors and families, channeled through foundations including Médecins Sans Frontières and local welfare agencies. The recording also contributed to broader civic rituals: moments of silence at sporting events like fixtures involving Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and cultural commemorations at the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay.
Artists who participated performed selections at televised benefit concerts, memorial ceremonies at sites like the Place de la République, and international gala events sponsored by institutions such as the United Nations and European Parliament. Broadcast partners included networks like France Télévisions, BBC One, and CNN International, and streaming platforms hosted live performances alongside tributes by orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and chamber ensembles that included musicians from the Conservatoire de Paris alumni. The single and its performances were referenced in documentaries about the attacks, in narrative treatments produced by production companies linked to broadcasters like Canal+ and Arte, and in books published by houses such as Gallimard analyzing post-2015 cultural responses.
Rights management involved numerous stakeholders: performing artists, songwriters, arrangers, producers, and labels such as Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and independent producers. Publishing rights were coordinated with collecting societies including SACEM and international counterparts like ASCAP and PRS for Music to ensure royalties or waivers for charitable distribution. Licensing clearance covered sampled material, interpolations, and orchestral arrangements, in consultation with legal teams versed in precedents from charity recordings linked to entities such as Band Aid and licensing agreements administered through institutions like IFPI. Disputes over attribution and proceeds were rare but handled through arbitration bodies and cooperative agreements with beneficiary organizations and municipal authorities.
Category:Charity singles Category:Songs about Paris