France FRANCE 2025 - Louane - maman

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[Jupiter]

Any blanket Statements about "Euro fans thought X" is usually off, to be blunt. We had discussions last year about Slimane being a potential winner, including here, and many youtubers thought so too. He was behind Nemo and Baby Lasagna, sure, but that was only correct.

Listening to Maman in Studio Version, it sounds much better. The all around presentation did not do this song any favors. It's quite lovely, especially some of the instrumentation - the chorus is somewhat of a let down to me though. I'll give it an 8 overall.

As for winning chances: this is a very likely top 10 IMO, maybe top 5 again, but it has more of an outside shot at winning. It would need really great staging for that, and I'll rather wait and see in that regard.

 

[AliceEsc]

She is a good performer, I can see the passion in her voice. It doesn't grab me though. I instantly loved Voyage and it didn't happen here.

 

[Aries]

I really like the song. I'm not trying to stereotype or be derogatory, but it seems like a lot of people know just a few French phrases, like 'voilà,' 'c'est la vie,' and 'je t'aime.' I've read that some people's opinions about 'maman' changed after they read the lyrics, because the meaning wasn't clear just from the initial presentation. It was completely the wrong setting for it. I imagine Slimane singing 'I love you' right down the camera is something a lot of women would have found really hot.

 

[harey]

Just read the english translation of the song. I mean... Louane just take my

I absolutely love the lyrics because it's not only about losing her mother but also about becoming herself a mother, which give the song some light instead of just being sad. And it is very personal because she's singing about her own life. That's why I don't think it's playing the cliché card, the song is an honest and powerful statement about resilience and getting through the pain.

______
I really can't imagine this song outside the top 10. The stadium staging was a bad idea, the song needs an intimate atmosphere, but we know that they won't do the same staging at esc and I don't worry about Louane being able to share her emotions with her performance.

 

[Paco Roca]

When Bubble loves a ballad it is a clear sign of weakness of the song. I listened to "Maman" and honestly, apart from some vocal evolution and the charm of the French language that elevate it a bit, I struggle to find the melody. At times it is even distressing to hear the recurring moan that should be the climax. Louane's facial expressions are as varied as those of a street lamp. Perhaps because of the song that is an elegant smoke but still smoke. Barbara Pravi but also Slimane were on other levels. France wants to exploit the clamor generated by the two predecessors and the favorable vote of the jury that will see in this song the explanation of how the cosmos was created. The favorable vote of the jury is feasible in an edition in which the ballads are few and mostly not up to par. The only contender but that stands out for the musical genre is Italy with Lucio Corsi. Here we are faced with pure overvaluation. In other editions with more ballads it would have been an average ranking and the usual Madame Monsieur blunder.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned Louane as the protagonist of the film "La famille Belier". I was surprised to see that it was her. A beautiful film that I appreciated. Here, the final song of the film with the sign language gestures would have won the ESC this year.

 

[joao]

I absolutely love the lyrics because it's not only about losing her mother but also about becoming herself a mother, which give the song some light instead of just being sad. And it is very personal because she's singing about her own life. That's why I don't think it's playing the cliché card, the song is an honest and powerful statement about resilience and getting through the pain.

______
I really can't imagine this song outside the top 10. The stadium staging was a bad idea, the song needs an intimate atmosphere, but we know that they won't do the same staging at esc and I don't worry about Louane being able to share her emotions with her performance.

100%

I don’t see this as a gimick or cliché.

I see this as a very pure song where she shares how was like for her to lose her a mother and suddenly become one.

“No more lovers no more beds” she probably had her share of lovers because probably it was one of her ways to deal with her grieve and pain. “Now I am the one she calls maman”, for her it must be very difficult to lose her mother at such a young age and suddenly she is the mother now. It’s like she has become her.

I find this very deep and personal and I’m so thankful Louane has decided to share a little bit of her story with us.

I can see this placing outside of top 10 with the televote (maybe 12th or something) but if the jury is unable to fully appreciate this song and it’s meaning and place this top 10 (minimum), then we have a very big issue here.

 

[ESC94]

Oh well, after the live performance I was like: "Ok, that´s a nice ballad, but nothing groundbreaking." But then I listened to the audio version and now my room is turning quickly into a miniature Atlantis.

Merci beaucoup and Louane, take this well deserved .

 

[RainyWoods]

It's a really beautiful, strong entry with touching lyrics. The I guess lukewarm reaction from part of the fandom is a little surprising but considering it's a clear-cut ballad in a gimmick celebrating era, perhaps it's actually not. I think this is a big contender that potentially can top the jury vote and do extremely well also with the televote.

The way she tumbles the notes in the chorus reminds me a lot of Shaj (which I absolutely adored before the English revamp.) I'm unsure it can beat Sweden in the big fight, but it certainly can go toe to toe with Austria which for me gives off big overhyped bubble fave energy. Maman is just a really solid, strong ballad that doesn't have any jarring qualities to it. People are going to vote for it. The regular folks tuning in not having heard any of the songs and are touched by the message and performance. This song is a contender.

points

 

[John1]

It's crazy to me that some people still deny the appeal that maman could have in May. It just is a very strong entry, with a very much talented and capable singer delivering a strong set of emotions on stage.

Locals are going to eat this up.

 

[HayashiM]

The studio hits me in a way comparable to Voilà's. I love the lyrics - simple yet powerful. I hope they find a way to make people somehow get it, but please do something different than 2019 or 2021 did. The presentation video would have been a cool idea for a different kind of a song but did not any favours to Louane.

I am biased, and I have only heard most of this year's songs once, but I have a hard time imagining this outside of the top 10, unless they really screw up with the staging, which they won't.

 

[HarryUK]

I much prefer how the studio version sounds which could be problematic on the night if that’s a general consensus HOWEVER I tend to vote for my faves regardless of live performance (which makes me in the minority for sure)

 

[Sammy]

I much prefer how the studio version sounds which could be problematic on the night if that’s a general consensus HOWEVER I tend to vote for my faves regardless of live performance (which makes me in the minority for sure)

same!

Because in the weeks before the contest I listen to the studio versions, so these are the ones I build my opinion upon.

 

[Andrin]

It's crazy to me that some people still deny the appeal that maman could have in May. It just is a very strong entry, with a very much talented and capable singer delivering a strong set of emotions on stage.

Locals are going to eat this up.

Agree with every single word but only on one condition: if the staging is cozy, intimate, and she's alone on stage.

If they bring in dancers, musicians, or a trapeze (!), then all the beauty and delicacy of this song will disappear.

 

[Andrin]

The studio version and piano covers are extremely beautiful.

But I still believe that France is gonna mess up the staging and lose its chance.

France, please, make it simple. No drummers. No trapeze.

 

[John1]

Agree with every single word but only on one condition: if the staging is cozy, intimate, and she's alone on stage.

If they bring in dancers, musicians, or a trapeze (!), then all the beauty and delicacy of this song will disappear.

Louane reportedly said that the staging would be something theatrical, so yeah

 

[joao]

Louane reportedly said that the staging would be something theatrical, so yeah

WHAT?? The only thing she needs to do is to stand with a mic and sing.

 

[Andrin]

“No more lovers no more beds” she probably had her share of lovers because probably it was one of her ways to deal with her grieve and pain. “

It's a direct clin-d-oeil to her first Maman song that starts with "Les amants passent de lits en lits" - "lovers go from bed to bed".

But perhaps already mentioned by someone else here.

 

[joao]

It's a direct clin-d-oeil to her first Maman song that starts with "Les amants passent de lits en lits" - "lovers go from bed to bed".

But perhaps already mentioned by someone else here.

Had no idea. Thanks for the info!

 

[freerider]

This song would win this years contest although not being very modern.

 

[John1]

WHAT?? The only thing she needs to do is to stand with a mic and sing.

Well, the adjective theatrical holds quite of an umbrella meaning around performance, so this may also refer to backdrop, props and stuff. Plus, Jamala's staging was quite theatrical when you think of it.

Not to mention that about her staging in May: https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2025/0...code-to-oversee-louanes-performance-in-basel/