The supporters of Stade Brestois chose to cover one of your hits, “When I see your eyes”, to pay tribute to coach Éric Roy. What does this inspire you?
Dany Brillant, singer: “It’s a form of consecration. I write popular songs: it's not meant to be sung in living rooms. So when it's taken up in the stadiums like that, with so much force, when it electrifies the crowds as I've seen, when it gives them heart, I find it brilliant. I'm proud! Plus, I see the team’s results, it’s magnificent.”
This song and its universe are, at the start, far from the atmosphere of a stadium, right?
“Yes, it’s a song that is rather feminine, a romantic title that is addressed to a woman. So, to suddenly have guys singing it to express their gratitude, their love even to a football coach, I find it fabulous. And I hope that it will unite the crowd behind this team, and that Stade Brestois will continue its great adventure.”
At home, life is beautiful! That's what the Stade Brestois crowd must have loved: when you're on the rise, like this team, life is really good.
Does it surprise you to see a title released almost thirty years ago reinvented in this way…
“You know, I don’t do trendy things, but rather classic, timeless things. That way, it doesn't go out of style. My songs, above all, are bathed in the joy of living: there aren't many in French song, where we are more about guys who have been dumped, who are in pain here or there… At home, the life is beautiful! That’s what the Stade Brestois crowd must have loved: when you’re on the rise, like this team, life is really good.”
Have you ever experienced such misappropriation of your songs in your career?
” Yes. When I did “Suzette”. One day, while I was watching the news on television, I discovered images of a demonstration where people were singing to the tune “We win some crap”. And once again, it’s great, because it means that everyone knows it, that the song has taken to the streets: it’s a real recognition.”
Kicking off a match in Brest? That would be a good idea
Did this tribute push you to support Stade Brestois?
“No more than that, because I’m not a very big footballer. But I find it great that Éric Roy managed to take this team so high in Europe. To tell the truth, I'm more of a Paris Saint-Germain supporter, because I'm Parisian, I actually wrote a song called “Viens à Saint-Germain”. But I have the impression that Brest is doing better than PSG at the moment. We can't always be at the top, can we? On the other hand, perhaps one day I will go see a Stade Brestois match, because I am interested in seeing that.”
You have just released a new album, “Seventies” and are launching a tour in 2025. Will it pass through Brest?
“I don’t know yet: the tour is under construction. But with what's happening right now, it might come sooner than expected! “.
Would you like to kick off a match at the Stadium before the end of the season?
” Obviously ! Afterwards, the club has to invite me and it fits with my schedule. But it would be a good idea…
