Le temps des fleurs

Le temps des fleurs is a romantic ballad, with elements of Russian folk and French chanson. Lyrics describe innocence of childhood and youth and reflect on the passage of time.[7] It features violin, mandoline, string, clarinet and background vocals highlighted refrain.[8] The French lyrics were written by renowned French Jewish lyricist Eddy Marnay, and the song was recorded on 20 September 1968 from one cut in Studios Hoche under orchestral conduction by Guy Motta. Journalist of ORTF was present and Dalida was interviewed for television and live radio transmission.[9]

Other songs from EP were recorded during following week, under orchestral conduction by Guy Motta and Jean Claudric; "Le petit perroquet", "Je m'endors dans tes bras", "Le septième jour" and "Je me repose".[10]

Le temps des fleurs was released in early October on EP, in 18 cm (7 inch) format under catalog number 71 296, with cover photo credited to Georges Dambier.[10] It immediately scored a success in its first week, selling roughly around 30,000 copies and reaching top of the French radio charts where it remained for four consecutive weeks.[11] Dalida promoted the record during her current concert tour, over radio and television, mostly for title song, but also making several appearances for others. Paris Match described: "to watch Dalida performing [the song] on television is as incredible as listening to the song itself".[12] Until late 1969, the record was reissued for three more times, Barclay Records' personal record, and sold over 415,000 units.[13]

Dalida was first one to record the song in French, German and Italian. Lyrics of German version "An jenem Tag" were written by Heinz Korn, and Italian "Quelli erano Giorni" by Daiano. Both were recorded and released in October on singles, with B-side each having their language equivalent of Dalida's French song Quelques larmes de pluie.[14][15] With them, Dalida charted fairly, entering Top 10 in Germany and Top 20 in Italy, collectively selling additional 90,000 copies.[16][17]

All three language versions by Dalida received covers from other artists like Ima, but also Mary Hopkin and Sandie Shaw, failing to leave an impact.

Le temps des fleurs was first issued in France, Belgium, Greece and Mexico in December 1968, and the next year in Canada and Germany, in 30 cm (12 inch) format under catalog number 80 378. Cover photo is credited to Vic Nova, and orchestral conduction to Guy Motta, Jean Claudricto and Giancarlo Gazzani. The album was produced by Franz Auffray and mixed by Claude Achallé.[23]

In 1974, it became Dalida's first album ever to be reissued, this time with completely different artwork and under catalog number 950 055. In 1978, Barclay reissued it again under catalog number 95 018, but with original cover. In 2002, Barclay Records, then as part of Universal Music France, reissued the album for the last time, in original vinyl format and digitally remastered in CD. Both with original French cover art and track list, it was a part of series of re issues of all Dalida's albums released under Barclay. Thus, it became Dalida's most times re-released record, with total of five issues.[24]

Below is the first edition tracklist. While in the second pressing "Le petit perroquet" and "Le septième jour" exchange places and in third the tracklist disappears from front cover, the fourth pressing is same as the first except that it features "Je me repose" instead of "Le petit perroquet".[10]