2018, May 13. “I was born this morning, my name is Mercy. They reached out to me and I’m alive. It’s past midnight in Lisbon (Portugal) and, with these lyrics, inspired by the birth of a baby on The Aquarius, a ship helping migrants in the Mediterranean, Madame Monsieur finished in 13th place, out of 26, in Eurovision. Right in the middle of the ranking, as a reflection of the European divide on the subject of refugees.
I provide coverage of the contest for 20 minutes since 2015 and each edition is a whirlwind of emotions, moments of stress and exaltation, of which I keep a thousand memories. 2018 has a special place in my heart. From the selection in Destination Eurovision until the final of the competition, passing through the concerts in Tel-Aviv (Israel) and Amsterdam (Netherlands), I accompanied Madame Monsieur almost everywhere for various reports. Emilie Satt and Jean-Karl Lucas, a couple in town and a duo on stage, even gave me their daily diary during the week of the event. I was the privileged witness of the effect produced by their human and humanist song.
Will Ferrell’s Validation
I remember those passers-by in Tel-Aviv who, a month before the competition, recognized the duo in the street and gave them their encouragement. A few weeks later, during a show in Amsterdam, Emilie being unwell, SuRie, the British candidate had replaced her at short notice alongside Jean-Karl. She had learned the English lyrics within hours. Everywhere that Mercy was sung, the French candidacy aroused enthusiasm and compliments. In Lisbon, in the press room, many foreign colleagues believed in a French victory and greeted me with “See you in Paris next year!” »
“I find the song very good, the message strong. I could vote for him “, even told me the American actor Will Ferrell, unexpectedly crossed behind the scenes of Eurovision – he was then in full preparation of a film for Netflix. Regardless of the result, the song entered the history of the contest and touched the public. Little Mercy is 5 years old this year.