French singer seeks Chinese musical dream

Joyce Jonathan's new album Ca Ira [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ready to enter Chinese market

After several years of work, the Ca Ira album was made, which included 10 Chinese songs. Some of the songs were adapted from French versions, while others are completely new for Chinese fans.

In the album, Joyce Jonathan cooperated with Chinese singer Cui Jian, known as the "Father of Rock" in China.

In April 1989, Cui released the song Girl in the Flower Room in his album Rock and Roll on the New Long March and the song was widely sung by Chinese people in the 1990s.

Twenty-six years later, Jonathan heard the song by chance.

"The song was amazing, both in meaning and melody, and I decided to cover it in French."

"When I met Cui Jian and communicated with him, I found that he is an insightful musician and has a spirit of rebellion, which really impressed me. And he also gives me inspiring ideas in covering the song," Jonathan said.

The French version, Tes Deserts, which mean "The Love Desert" in English, was produced in May this year and was a sensation among many French people.

"I could not believe such a romantic song could come from China," French Facebook user, Zombie Baby, said online.

According to Jonathan, the song proves music is universal and has no boundaries.

"In comparison with Cui's version, mine tells a story from a female perspective and sounds a little bit softer," she said.