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© Eurovision 1968
The « Franco » controversy comes to France
France: Isabelle Aubret - « I should have won »
Some French media reported about it, including radio station “Europe 1” (in Morandini’s very successful daily program) as well as national radio broacaster, the very serious “France Inter”, in its 18:00 evening news.
French 1968 representative herself was interviewed. Isabelle Aubret declared that “journalists should have told the truth 40 years ago”. She also said she considered both “La, la, la” and her performer, Massiel, as “of a poor quality”.
While singing a cappella a part of “La Source”, French singer claimed that “she was the one to deserve victory, if those cheatings didn’t occur”.
Isabelle Aubret gave France its third victory back in 1962, then placed third in 1968. She also took part in four televised finals (1961, 1970, 1976 and 1983) and her name can be found in a great number of internal selections along the 1960’s and the 1970’s in France.
Read esctoday.com's article on the controversy here.
Thanks to Alex Rouffignac for submitting this information to esctoday.com
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Go directly to the reactions
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Jonny K:
For me Les Fatals Picards were actually top 5 
There was a report about this on Norwegian radio today. The plot thickens ...
I'm sure there's a misunderstanding...I mean, for instance, yesterday on news, she was not aggressive at all, and she didn't say that she should have won. Maybe she told that somewhere else, but my dear members you definitely do not have all the information to draw conclusions that fast - so please wait before to throw so much hatred to Madam Isabelle Aubret !
France gave to Spain four points that year. I don't believe that Spain was buying votes, but if it was true, Isabelle must be going to claim to the public television of her country, that allowed the bribe.
i dont really care about stupid news like this.
Well, if Spain cheated in 68, then the UK should be considered the rightful winner, not Spain. And not France, because France came "only" third. Although in my humble opinion "La Source" is the best song EVER in ESC history. So Isabelle Aubret has a point.
@togravus ceterum
Exactly my point! However, I'd like to read that interview myself, instead of this very confusing piece of information by M. Rouffignac and Esctoday.
I agree...this was 40 years ago and lets face it Franco did far worse than this in his time... Personally I like the UK, Spanish and french entries for 1968.
omg this whole thing becomes pathetic. ok lets say these arguments are true and EBU takes the trophy from spain and gives it to the UK or france or whatever ... what is the diference? come on its been 40 years lol learn to loose and stop moaning with stubit statments like i should have won! and she is supposed to be a grown lady...
@Pablo Mars: Massiel might be known in the Spanish-speaking world, but Cliff Richard is know [b]everywhere[/b]!
So you can't compare Massiels fame to Cliff Richards.
Anyway, I think Isabelle Aubret is pathetic.
Those vilain comments aren't necessary and I do think personally that both of her Eurovision-entries shouldn't have ended up so high 
OK, now everybody else than Massiel taking part in that contest will turn up and say "I should have won"!
Come on, let's be serious... We will never know if this is true and who should have won instead, so let's accept the result!
@Pablo Mars, Massiel may still be known in Latin America, but in the rest of the world she's only known to ESC fans, while Cliff Richard is a star worldwide (just name his "We don't talk anymore", a big success in Italy and lots of other countries about 20 years after that contest).
- Stockholm calling
Yeah, Les Fatals Picards were excellent, they deserved top 10 in my opinion.
And the estonian song that won was awful!!!! (no offence to any estonians!) And the strange this is, despite being awful, it got the highest ever recorded score at the time!!! 
@ Fabio Deluca
I just reacted to Pablo Mars' comment who stated that Cliff Richard isn't famous outside the UK in opposite to Massiel.
I've even written "I don't want to say with this that she shouldn't have won" for those who are a bit slow to think, but fast to react.
I don't compare a Spanish singer with an English singer, I just replied to someone who did this and who did it in a wrong way. I replied like about four persons after me. So please read the whole story before you're doing your critics...
ALSO!...What a SORED woman she IS!....COME ON!.... decades ago!... let it gooo!
Anyways!....I think a lot of countries did that back in the Jury days...Why is spain the one to blame now?...I have this idea: since Chiki Chiki's novelty has worn out, spain is willing to dig itslef deep into the "mud" to create some media fuzz around their country..I'm really dissapointed by Spain lately. Anyways, the main idea here was that Im pretty sure lots of countries did that in the jury days! 
I think "Il faut du temps" is even better than "Je n'ai que mon âme". More passionate. But that's just a matter of personal taste.
Jonny K:
I think so too. "Je n'ai que mon âme" was a great song and Natasha was stunning. Imo the Estonian entry is the worst winner ever. I liked Les Fatals Picards as well.
Pablo Mars:
Cliff Richard was extremely popular in Sweden.
Matan D/w s:
Thanks. "Banne mej" is a classic in Sweden, silly lyrics though.
hey guys at least we are getting eurovision on the news at ten here in uk and thats some going . publicity baby yeah
BOO SPAIN IN BELGRADE
BOO SPAIN IN BELGRADE
BOO SPAIN IN BELGRADE
BOO SPAIN IN BELGRADE
BOO SPAIN IN BELGRADE
Not very professional, if she really said all that. Still, her song La Source will remain one of my personal eurovision favourites.
I think the last French song that should have won was in 2002, Sandrine was fantastic, a million times better than the Latvian song that won!
(LOL!)
I should have won toooo!!
why everyone is bringing back the mud from the graves???!!!
"I should have won" hehehe what a modest lady you are!!!
Anyway, I accept that she (you, me and everyone) finds "La, la, la" a 'poor-quality' song but not Massiel, come on she was a great singer.
OMG, this is getting really ridiculous.
Someone who didn't win claiming "I should have won" - how surprising (and interesting) is that... Jeez.
Just face it, Spain's entry was the best that year!
I think the last French song that should have won was in 2001, Natasha was fantastic, a million times better than the estonian song that won! 
@ Fabio Deluca
Some Spanish language singers have been or are popular in Germany: Julio Iglesias was a star some decades ago (URRGHHH!!!), Mecano were popular, and Manu Chao, Amparanoia, and Ojos de brujo still are. You can find their albums in any record shop you enter.
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