The song topped the SNEP Singles Chart for 11 weeks, and, uncommonly for a French -language song at that time, was released in the UK and Ireland the following year, peaking at numbers three and two, respectively. The song emphasizes the notion that Joe seems to know all there is to know about the French capital including the whereabouts of all the little bars, all of the Parisian streets, the Seine , and bridges.
The song's lyrics suggest that Joe enjoys drinking rum , has a passion for Latin music and her car "saxo jaune". The single reached gold status in Belgium for 75, copies sold [ 2 ] and has sold two million copies worldwide. Jerry Smith from Music Week wrote, "Out of the blue appears this intriguing Euro number that, with its breathy vocal and atmospheric backing, could capture the imagination given enough exposure.
This purrs irresistibly in the same way, pre-pubescent vocals and a cha-cha beat that can't possibly fail to melt your heart. Sweet, sensuous, baby powder that will probably be giving me a headache by mid-March, but at the moment all is heavenly and I can't bare to be without it. A French record that's not crap. As a nation France has always been pathetically unsuccessful at pop. She's just spent 11 weeks at the top of the French charts with this slow, wispy tune sung in French to an accompaniment of gratefully parping saxophones.
It's really not bad at all. The silhouettes of two men playing the saxophone in unison appear. Joe, who is black, is then seen in his taxi. Paradis, wearing an oversized peach sweater with the words "Cross Stage" and the number 26 emblazoned across the front and loose grey trousers, dances and sings the song, next to a big yellow taxi similar to Joe's.
Joe seems to be driving around town, either looking out for customers or simply enjoying a scenic journey across a bright and beautiful Paris. The camera switches between Joe, Vanessa, and the two silhouettes playing their saxophones in perfect unison in colour when focused on Paradis, in black-and-white when on Joe. The video ends with a front view of Joe's taxi. Another music video for the song features Vanessa riding with Joe, in a blue Jeep , around Martinique , while singing the song.
