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The memorable ‘Chante-la ta chanson’ inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

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Zaki Ibrahim covers Jean Lapointe and Marcel Lefebvre’s song as part of CSHF and CBC/Radio-Canada’s ‘Covered Classics’ series

TORONTO, June 13, 2016 – The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) is pleased to announce the induction of Chante-la ta chanson, a hit from the late ‘70s, written by Jean Lapointe and Marcel Lefebvre. To celebrate the induction, South African-Canadian singer-songwriter and Juno nominee Zaki Ibrahim, performs a captivating and uniquely arranged rendition of the song as part of the CSHF and CBC/Radio Canada’s on-going Covered Classics series. Zaki Ibrahim’s performance can be viewed here.

“When I was about eight years old, I performed the song Chante-la ta Chanson for a school recital and it became a theme throughout my life,” says Zaki Ibrahim. “I imagined that one day I would teach this song to my child, so that he may know that we all have our own voice and song to sing. When I was asked to perform my rendition of Chante-la ta chanson, I was honored and thrilled!  I thought: what a precious opportunity, to sing it back, expressing my thanks to the songwriters – Jean Lapointe and Marcel Lefebvre – in such a prestigious space, for my son and all who may enjoy. …With love.”

The idea that “everyone has their own melody inside” had been bouncing around Marcel Lefebvre’s head for quite some time. It was while driving back from the family cottage that the famous chorus came to him spontaneously. He sang it the entire drive home, afraid he’d forget it, but thankfully, his children remembered the words.

Shortly thereafter, Lefebvre contacted Jean Lapointe with whom he had been writing songs for a few years now. They added phrases and melodic lines, and together completed the chorus and verses. Chante-la ta chanson was first released on Lapointe’s 1979 solo album, titled after the song, and was recorded at Montréal’s famed Studio Tempo. The recording first appeared on the Radio Mutuel chart on May 4, 1979, and stayed there for seven weeks, quickly becoming a classic in Lapointe’s repertoire.

Its simple, memorable melody made Chante-la ta chanson an undeniable favourite of choirs and instrumentalists alike. One of the most famous covers is the 1979 version by Les Compagnons de la Chanson, which made the song a huge hit in Francophone Europe as well. The song was also one of the very first songs ever recorded by a young Celine Dion. Chante-la ta chanson became a SOCAN Classic (for accumulating 25,000 radio plays) in 1995.

“I am touched by this exciting news, the induction of Chante-la ta chanson into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame,” says Marcel Lefebvre. “An honour that will guarantee it a well-deserved destiny. I rejoice with the utmost pride.”

“It is with immense gratitude that I wish to thank the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame for inducting Chante-la ta chanson that was written and composed by Marcel Lefebvre and myself,” says Jean Lapointe. “From the bottom of my heart… thank you.”

A collaboration between the CSHF and CBC/Radio-Canada, Covered Classics invites Canada’s finest musical talent to perform their version of a classic song to celebrate its induction into the Hall of Fame.

To view 2015 and 2016 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame song inductions and the Covered Classics performances, click here.

About the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (www.uatcshf.ca) honours and celebrates Canadian songwriters and those who have dedicated their lives to the legacy of music, and works to educate the public about these achievements. National and non-profit, the Hall of Fame is guided by its own board of directors who comprise both Anglophone and Francophone music creators and publishers, as well as representation from the record industry. In December 2011, SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) acquired the Hall of Fame. The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame’s mandate aligns with SOCAN’s objectives as a songwriter and publisher membership-based organization.

About CBCMusic.ca
CBCMusic.ca (www.cbcmusic.ca) is Canada’s free digital music service connecting Canadians with the very best in Canadian and international music, concerts and features. Simple and easy to navigate, CBCMusic.ca gives music fans access to 50 Web radio stations, 12 distinct genre-based music communities, CBC Radio 2 and CBC Radio 3, plus content from the most knowledgeable music personalities and programmers from across the country, hundreds of concerts, playlists and more.

About ICIMusique.ca
ICIMusique.ca (www.icimusique.ca) is Radio-Canada’s online music platform. It allows Canadians to stream live radio, and listen to over 150 channels of web radio, albums streaming, special features and music news.

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Media contact, to arrange an interview:
Press Relations Quebec, SIX media marketing inc. (pour PACC)
514-544-7013 / simon@sixmedia.ca / larissa@sixmedia.ca

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