All it takes is a sign, When the music is good, Fly me away, Another morning…Jean-Jacques Goldman is a true figure of French song. From his band debut in the 1970s to his rise in the 1980s, he has sold more than 28 million records in his career according to the Infodisc website.
Favorite personality of the French on several occasions, Jean-Jacques Goldman has nevertheless withdrawn from the musical scene and cultivates his discretion in the media. Despite his absence, the friend of Michael Jones is always honoured, especially during the annual Enfoirés show, of which he was a member and founder until 2016. The troupe and the spectators sing in chorus La Chanson des Restos written by the songwriter during each edition, making it possible to collect millions of meals for beneficiaries across France.
An essential figure in French variety, Jean-Jacques Goldman is said to have written around 250 titles during his career. But, he also lent his pen for fifty artists and performers by signing hits for them. Like Céline Dion, for whom he wrote about twenty songs like For you to love me again, If it was enough to love and Another evening. Or Patrick Fiori with 13 songs to his credit like I know where to go.
According to author Fabien Lecoeuvre, “the formidable quality of Goldman” is its involvement with artists to write them a song. “He makes tailor-made songs for artists. He has dinner with them, talks for hours on the phone. That’s what gives him this inspiration by allowing him to better understand the sensitivity of singers. He’s a real talent”, explained the musical expert for Planet in October 2022.
Among the other great voices of variety, Jean-Jacques Goldman has written hits for Johnny Hallyday (Laura, I will forget your name, I promise you… ), Patricia Kaas (He tells me that I am beautiful), Florent Pagny ( If you want to try me, under the pseudonym Sam Brewski), as well as Calogero, Marc Lavoine, Garou, Maurane or even Roch Voisine. A host of popular hits that allowed him to hit the jackpot (nearly two million euros per year, according to VSD) thanks to copyright.
“It’s monstrous everything that Goldman has written,” exclaims the specialist in French song. “He wrote masterpieces that stuck with people.” Even today, the singer’s musical heritage is also revisited by young artists (Génération Goldman, Héritage Goldman, etc.).