This year France returned to an internal selection process to find its performer and song for ESC 2020, after having the annual song competition “Destination Eurovision“ two years in a row and Bilal Hassani’s disappointing ranking last year.
In mid-January a 30-year-old singer, actor and comedian Tom Lee was selected by the French public broadcaster as the performer to represent France in ESC 2020.
Tom Leeb is the son of famous French comedian Michel Leeb and apparently quite famous in France. He is supposed to be a jack of all trades in the art scene, with a resume including studies in theatre, cinema, singing and dance. He released his first single “Are We Too Late” in 2018. His first album “Recollection” was released in 2019.
To find the right song the French national broadcaster France 2 had an international approach and in its search included European musicians, who submitted their songs written specifically for the Eurovision Song Contest. An internal committee from the French broadcaster reviewed more than 100 songs to find the right piece.
Eventually the French-English song “The Best In Me” written by Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, John Lundvik (Sweden 2019), Amir Haddad (France 2016), Tom Leeb and Lea Ivanne was chosen by France 2. Note that Peter Boström and Thomas G:son have previously achieved Eurovision success with Loreen's Euphoria in 2012.
Tom Leeb performed the chosen entry on the Eiffel Tower during a broadcast on France 2. The tower’s light show was synchronized to the music and ended with the colors of French flag.
France’s latest attempt to regain its lost glory in the ESC was denounced as unpatriotic by the government for using English lyrics. Franck Riester, the Minister of Culture, told the parliament that “The chorus in English bored my ears off this morning on the radio”, and added “Everyone should set an example to ensure that France is promoted with pride everywhere.”
For some, the song is a Melodifestivalen reject that somehow found its way to France. For some others it is a product of Swedish magic team which can bring long awaited success to France.
It is another average ballad which does not really spark joy. Let’s hope the best for France on May 16 this year in Rotterdam.
You can watch the acoustic version for a change at this link: