Nicki French
{{Short description|English singer (born 1964)}}
{{for|the pseudonymous English novelist|Nicci French}}
{{BLP refimprove|date=May 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Nicki French
|image = Nicki French Oxford (cropped).jpg
|caption = French performing at the Oxford Gay Pride Festival in 2005
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1964|9|26}}
|birth_place = Carlisle, England
|birth_name = Nicola Sharon French
|genre = Dance, pop, Eurodance
|occupation = Singer
|years_active = 1992–present
|label = Bags of Fun Records/Love This (1992–1996)
Klone Records (2005)
Energise Records (2006–2015)
MPG Ltd (2015)
Energise Records (2017-Present)
|website =
}}
Nicola Sharon French (born 26 September 1964{{cite web|author=Artist Biography by Matt Collar |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/nicki-french-mn0000868617/biography |title=Nicki French | Biography |website=AllMusic |date=26 September 1964 |access-date=2 May 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.slipyourmind.com/famous-bdays.html?m=9&d=26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612100647/http://www.slipyourmind.com/famous-bdays.html?m=9&d=26|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2010|title=Famous Birthdays – September 26th|date=12 June 2010}}) is an English singer. She is best known for her 1995 dance cover version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart", which reached the US and UK top 5, and for representing the United Kingdom in the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4459511.stm#nicki|title=50 years of Eurovision|work=BBC News|access-date=1 February 2010 | date=20 May 2005}}
Life and career
= 1964–1993 =
French was born in Carlisle, Cumberland, England.{{cite web|url=http://www.nickifrench.com |title=Nicki French : Homepage |publisher=Nickifrench.com |access-date=2 May 2014}}
French's first "gig" came at the age of seven, when she was chosen to sing the first verse of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" at her infants' school Christmas concert.{{cite web|url=https://www.nickifrench.com/about|title=About Nicki French|website=Nicki French|access-date=2 March 2022}}
From the age of 16, French studied music and drama at West Kent College in Tonbridge, Kent. She played the lead role of Laurey in Oklahoma! before moving to London and started auditioning for bands and theatre shows.
= 1980s-1993: Musical beginnings =
In the mid-1980s, French was part of the duo Whisky and Sofa. They released "Dirty Den" in 1986.
In 1991, French was booked as the leading lady in a series of revue shows on a cruise ship, touring Europe and beyond and covering songs from stage and screen.
In 1992, French provided backing vocals on Rose-Marie's 1992 album, Emotional Exposure. Generally, French had been a session singer for many years before she covered "Total Eclipse of the Heart".
= 1994–1999: Career peak, ''Secrets'' and ''French Connection'' =
In 1994, French covered "Total Eclipse of the Heart", a song originally made famous by Bonnie Tyler. The song reached number 5 during a three-month chart run on the UK Singles Chart, selling over 250,000 (UK) copies in the process and earning a silver sales award.{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=British Phonographic Industry searchable certification database |publisher=British Phonographic Industry |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924015932/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archive-date=24 September 2009 }} In the United States, the song reached number 2, spending six months on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and gaining gold certification from the RIAA.{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=total%20eclipse%20of%20the%20heart&artist=&format=&sort=Artist&perPage=25|title=Recording Industry Association of America's searchable certification database|publisher=RIAA|access-date=1 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153832/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=total%20eclipse%20of%20the%20heart&artist=&format=&sort=Artist&perPage=25|archive-date=24 September 2015}} The single also reached number 1 in a number of countries – Japan, Canada, Spain and Brazil – as well as charting in Australia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. French sold in excess of 5 million copies.
Her second single, "For All We Know", a cover version of the Carpenters' song, peaked at number 42{{cite web |url=http://www.stockaitkenwaterman.com/discogs/sa-disco.htm |title=Mike Stock, Matt Aitken & Love This: Discography | publisher=Stockaitkenwaterman.com |access-date=10 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040613203742/http://stockaitkenwaterman.com/discogs/sa-disco.htm#expand |archive-date=13 June 2004 }} on the UK Singles Chart. French's debut album, Secrets, was released in 1995 and further singles from the album included "Is There Anybody Out There?", "Did You Ever Really Love Me?" and "Never in a Million Years". French was Mike Stock's Love This Records's biggest artist before it went into liquidation.{{cite web |url=http://www.stockaitkenwaterman.com/articles/sa017.htm |title=Love This Records faces UK closure |magazine=Music Week | date=2 August 1997 | via=Stockaitkenwaterman.com |access-date=10 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041106223356/http://www.stockaitkenwaterman.com:80/articles/sa017.htm |archive-date=6 November 2004 }} Secrets sold over 50,000 copies in its first week of sale in the US.
In 1997, French released French Revolution. The single "Te Amo" peaked at number 4 in Brazil.{{cn|date=March 2022}} French Revolution achieved success in Japan and Taiwan but French was then dropped by her record label after management reconstructing.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
= 2000–present: Eurovision Song Contest and diversification =
At the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest, French represented the United Kingdom with "Don't Play That Song Again". The song was selected by the British public ahead of seven other finalists on radio and TV. French finished the contest in 16th place. The track entered at number 34 in the UK chart.{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/awardeuro.html |title=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=everyHit.com |access-date=2 May 2014}}
French signed to Jim Steinman's Ravenous Records label for a short period in 2000, during which time she recorded "Lovers Again" and "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad", neither of which was ever commercially released.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
In 2003, French was one of nine contestants on a special Eurovision edition of BBC Television's The Weakest Link. Joining Sonia, Lyn Paul, James Fox, Katie Boyle, Bobby Gee, Jessica Garlick, Katrina Leskanich and Jemini on the show hosted by Anne Robinson, French won the event and was declared 'The Strongest Link' raising £13,000 for Cancer Research, having lost her father to cancer in 1997.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
In 2004, French released "I Surrender" and in 2005, "Calling Out My Name". "I Surrender" charted on the UK Indie Chart at #37 and EuroNRG Top 40 chart{{cite web |url=http://www.eurodancehits.com |title=Euro Dance Hits : Homepage |publisher=Eurodancehits.com |access-date=2 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527231227/http://www.eurodancehits.com/ |archive-date=27 May 2019 |url-status=dead }}
In 2007, French was cast as understudy for the original London cast of Menopause the Musical, starring Su Pollard. She was subsequently part of all the UK and Irish productions, and has played three out of the four roles throughout her connection with the show, elevating to being cast in the main roles.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
In 2008, French took part in her first pantomime, playing Queen Genevieve in Sleeping Beauty at Chipping Norton Theatre. The pantomime gained great reviews, making it into the top 10 pantomimes in the UK in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/12/03/btpanto203.xml |title=Culture, Arts and Entertainment |newspaper=Telegraph |date=5 February 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In 2009, French played Fairy Godmother in Cinderella for New Pantomime Productions.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
In 2009, a special edition of French's second album, French Revolution, became available. The re-release contained seventeen tracks and included all three of her most recent singles along with a previously unreleased version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart".
In August 2010, French toured the UK in the musical Annie, performing eight different roles every night in the show's long run, and was understudy for the role of Miss Hannigan, played by Su Pollard.{{cn|date=March 2022}}
In November 2012, French played the role of Helga Ten Dorp in Ira Levin's Deathtrap at the Brookside Theatre in Romford.
In 2014, 20 years after the success of "Total Eclipse of the Heart'", Mike Stock and French started working together again, recording new tracks for his label Modal Production Group (MPG Ltd). The first release from the studio session was the dance number "This Love". According to Stock, "the song's message is a celebration of love and commitment".{{cn|date=March 2022}}
In April 2023, French released a Eurovision covers album, titled Eurovision, featuring edits from her three previous EPs and two new songs.{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/nicki-french-surprise-releases-new-eurovision-album-cover-of-belle-and-the-devotions-love-games/|title= Nicki French surprise-releases new Eurovision album, cover of Belle and the Devotions' Love Games|website=Retro Pop|date=16 April 2023|access-date=6 May 2023}}
Personal life
French was born in Carlisle to Joseph and Eileen. She has three siblings. The French family moved when Nicki was four and settled in Tenterden, Kent. She attended Homewood School and West Kent College in Tonbridge.
French married Gavin Mallett, a professional musician, in July 1993 at St. Mildred's Church, Tenterden. The couple lived in Middlesex. They are now divorced.
Discography
= Studio albums =
= Mini albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of mini albums, with selected details ! Title ! Album details |
| scope="row"| Rare and Unreleased
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| Eurovision E.P
|
|
| scope="row"| This Love
|
|
| scope="row"| Let's Play That Song Again
|
|
| scope="row"| A Touch More Glitter
|
|
| scope="row"| Let's Play That Song Again Vol. 2
|
|
= Compilation albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of compilation albums, with selected details ! Title ! Album details |
| scope="row"| Te Amo – Best Of
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"| The Essentials
|
|
| scope="row"| The Singles 1997–2014
|
|
| scope="row"| Eurovision
| |
= Extended Plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of EPs, with selected details ! Title ! Album details |
| scope="row"| Christmas at the Disco
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as main artist, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:22em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="10"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | UK UK chart peaks:
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | AUS ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | BEL ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | CAN ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | GER ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | IRE ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | JPN ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | NL ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | NZ ! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;" | US |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Dirty Den" (as Whisky and Sofa) | 1986 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "You'll Be Sorry" (as The French Connection) | rowspan="2" | 1993 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
| 54 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (re-release)
| rowspan="1" | 1994 | 5 || 2 || 14 || 1 || 65 || 15 || 39 || 10 || 13 || 2 |
| rowspan="6" | Secrets |
| scope="row" | "For All We Know"
| rowspan="4" | 1995 | 42 || 89 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Did You Ever Really Love Me"
| 55 || 150 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Is There Anybody Out There?"
| 83 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Never in a Million Years" (Sweden and Denmark only) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |
| scope="row" | "Stop in the Name of Love"/ "Is There Anybody Out There?" (Australia only) | 1996 | — || 227 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Hard to Say I'm Sorry"
| rowspan="3" | 1997 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="3" | French Revolution |
| scope="row" | "Te Amo"
| 84 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Give It Up Now"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Don't Play That Song Again"
| rowspan="1" | 2000 | 34 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "I Surrender"
| rowspan="1" | 2004 | 110 {{cite web |url=https://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_F.HTM |title=Chart Log UK : Homepage }} || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Calling Out My Name"
| rowspan="1" | 2005 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Total Eclipse of the Heart 2006" (as Diva DJs vs. Nicki French) | rowspan="1" | 2006 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ain't No Smoke (Without Fire)"
| rowspan="1" | 2011 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{n/a|Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Red Light (Spells Danger)"/"Leave a Light On"
| rowspan="1" | 2013 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" | One Step Further |
| scope="row" | "The Boss"
| rowspan="1" | 2014 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "This Love"
| rowspan="1" | 2015 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | This Love (EP) |
| scope="row" | "Teardrops (On the Disco Floor)"
| rowspan="1" | 2017 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="3" | Glitter to the Neon Lights |
| scope="row" | "Steal the Crown"
| rowspan="3" | 2018 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" |"On Your Marks, Get Set, Go Away"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" |"It's Gonna Be a Cold Cold Christmas"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | A Very Nicki Christmas |
| scope="row" | "Raise Your Voice"
| rowspan="1" | 2019 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | Glitter to the Neon Lights |
| scope="row" | "Haunted Heart"
| rowspan="1" | 2020 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2"| Who, What, Where |
| scope="row" | "Last Dance"
| rowspan="1" | 2022 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
| rowspan="1" | 2022 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | A Very Nicki Christmas |
| scope="row" | "Nothing Is Impossible"{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/nicki-french-drops-latest-single-nothing-is-impossible/|title=Nicki French drops latest single Nothing Is Impossible |website=Retropop Magazine|date=19 April 2024|access-date=22 April 2024}}
| rowspan="3" | 2024 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="3" | Who, What, Where? |
| scope="row" | "High Hopes & Heartaches"{{cite web|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/nicki-french-shares-dazzling-new-single-high-hopes-heartaches/|title=Nicki French is back with her spellbinding new single High Hopes & Heartaches. |website=Retropop Magazine|date=12 July 2024|access-date=14 July 2024}}
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "S.O.S. (Same Old Story)”
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
= Other releases =
- 1995: "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" (available on vinyl and dance compilations) (Avex Records)
- 2000: "When You Walk in the Room" (on Euro2000 album as Paris) (Dominion Records)
- 2000: "The One and Only" (on Euro2000 album as Paris) (Dominion Records)
- 2000: "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" (on Euro2000 album as Paris) (Dominion Records)
- 2005: "Private Dancer" (for Gayfest album 2005) (Klone Records)
Industry Awards
DMA (magazine) HI-NRG Music Awards{{cite magazine|first= Larry |last= Flick |author-link= Larry Flick |title= Morales Works His Magic on Londonbeat's Latest |magazine= Billboard |volume= 107 |issue= 24 |page= 28 |date= 17 June 1995 |access-date= 12 October 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-06-17.pdf}}
{{awards table}}
|-
| 1995
| Herself
| Best Female Vocal Performance
| {{won}}
|-
| 1995
| Total Eclipse of the Heart
| Single of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
|1995
|Herself
|Most Promising Newcomer
|{{won}}
|-
{{End}}
International Dance Music Awards{{cite magazine|title= Euro-focused Miami Gets Thumbs Up |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) |page= 1 |date= 30 March 1996 |access-date= 17 August 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-03-30.pdf}}
{{awards table}}
|-
| 1996
| Total Eclipse of the Heart
| Best Hi-NRG 12-inch of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
{{End}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|id=0294163|name=Nicki French}}
- {{Official website|http://www.nickifrench.com}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
| before=Precious
with "Say It Again"
| title=UK in the Eurovision Song Contest
| years=2000
| after=Lindsay Dracass
with "No Dream Impossible"
}}
{{s-end}}
{{United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2000|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:French, Nicki}}
Category:British disco musicians
Category:British hi-NRG musicians
Category:Musicians from Carlisle, Cumbria
Category:People from Tenterden
Category:English women pop singers