Aubret's First Win Precedes a Near-Fatal Car Crash

MAY 15 1962 · 12:00

Isabelle Aubret · "Un premier amour" · France · 1962 Placement: 1 · Score: 26 · Language: French · Composers: Roland Valade, Claude-Henri Vic · Venue: Villa Louvigny · Host: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg · Type: winner · Broadcast: pre color Aubret, 23, former Renault factory worker and Brel protégée, takes the Villa Louvigny stage in a pale sheath dress. 'Un premier amour' is a stately romantic ballad about first love — full orchestra, slow rising phrases, her voice clean and unshowy. France wins with 26 points. Aubret accepts the trophy to warm applause. Context Aubret had been personally mentored by Jacques Brel since age 17. She worked the Paris music-hall circuit before the Eurovision selection. The song was deliberately classical in construction, a conservative choice signaling France wanted to reassert chanson seriousness after two years of pop experiments. Legacy In August 1963, Aubret was in a horrific car crash that nearly killed her and required years of rehabilitation. She returned to Eurovision in 1968 with 'La source', finishing 3rd and cementing her as a French national treasure. Jacques Brel wrote 'Un enfant' specifically for her 1968 French album. Aubret continued performing until 2019.