Eurovision song sparks French row

A French MP has said he is outraged that the song chosen to represent the nation in the Eurovision song contest has English lyrics. Jacques Myard, of the UMP party, has urged the company that runs most of France's TV networks to reconsider. Eurovision song sparks French row Sebastien Tellier's entry, entitled Divine, combines both English and French lyrics with electro music. France's culture minister has defended the song, saying the country should fully support his bid for victory. A total of 43 countries are taking part in a contest that draws some 200 million viewers from Europe and beyond. Myard told the BBC that allowing an English song to represent France was a fiasco: "The French language is the tool of a huge industry in terms of cultural influence and if we French give up our language, what do you think the others will say?" Myard, himself a fluent English speaker, said it was not appropriate that, in a European contest, France should "monkey another's culture". "I think that even in a song, especially in this Euro contest, we have to sing in French," he added. Tellier, whose album is called Sexuality, defended his choice, saying he needed to use the English language to achieve his artistic goals. "To explain the vision of French people of sexuality and of life and so, to be understood, I need to sing in English," he said. According to the Serbian state television, RTS, which is hosting this year's event, countries are completely free to choose the language of their lyrics. Last year's entry from Cyprus, an official added, was sung in French. Statistically, however, entries sung in English are more likely to go on to win the competition, according to Eurovision.

Eurovision song sparks French row

Sebastien Tellier's entry, entitled Divine, combines both English and French lyrics with electro music.

France's culture minister has defended the song, saying the country should fully support his bid for victory.

A total of 43 countries are taking part in a contest that draws some 200 million viewers from Europe and beyond.

Myard told the BBC that allowing an English song to represent France was a fiasco: "The French language is the tool of a huge industry in terms of cultural influence and if we French give up our language, what do you think the others will say?"

Myard, himself a fluent English speaker, said it was not appropriate that, in a European contest, France should "monkey another's culture".

"I think that even in a song, especially in this Euro contest, we have to sing in French," he added.

Tellier, whose album is called Sexuality, defended his choice, saying he needed to use the English language to achieve his artistic goals.

"To explain the vision of French people of sexuality and of life and so, to be understood, I need to sing in English," he said.

According to the Serbian state television, RTS, which is hosting this year's event, countries are completely free to choose the language of their lyrics.

Last year's entry from Cyprus, an official added, was sung in French.

Statistically, however, entries sung in English are more likely to go on to win the competition, according to Eurovision.