Guest of "Icons" on Europe 1, singer Véronique Sanson returned to the controversy triggered by her song "Allah", released in 1988. She also explains why she decided to no longer perform this title which she nevertheless considers as a "love song" that has been "very misunderstood".

INTERVIEW

It's a song that has disappeared from his repertoire.

In 1988 Véronique Sanson released 

Allah

, a title intended as a plea to the latter against the crimes committed in his name.

However, it triggers a controversy and the singer even receives death threats, while the song is widely distributed in the media.

Guest of "Icons" on Europe 1, the artist returns to the meaning of this song and explains why she decided not to interpret it any more. 

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"There are morons everywhere"

"No, I no longer sing

Allah

. You know, there are morons everywhere and I had a fatwa on my head", recalls the singer who finds "a little ridiculous to tempt the devil".

However, when the title was released in November 1988, it posed no problem.

But the repercussions of the

Satanic Verses

case 

,

published a month earlier,

will quickly change the game.

Salman Rushdie's fourth novel indeed triggers a strong reaction in the Muslim world because of a description of the Prophet Muhammad deemed by some to be irreverent.

The book will be banned from several countries and its author will be the subject of a fatwa demanding his execution on February 14, 1989. 

A "very misunderstood love song"

It is therefore in this tense context that Véronique Sanson begins to receive death threats when she must perform at the Olympia.

"We made the amalgamation with the

Satanic Verses, 

it is a love song that was very poorly understood. In this title, we can notably hear:" Allah / What is the use of having a name / Why this fire, this thunder (...).

If I were you, I wouldn't be proud (...).

In the name of what do you wage war / What is the use of having a name / It is to defile the desert / With blood shed for Allah. "

But what set "fire to the powder" in France is an article published in the

Journal du Dimanche

affirms Véronique Sanson.

An article whose title was "Véronique Sanson apostrophe Allah".

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In addition, the singer recalls that at the beginning the song was not entitled Allah but God.

Hesitant between the two words which also dot the song, it was Michel Berger who told her that "it was better", she says.

"And so I said Allah in the song because it sounded better than God."