M&J

M&J is the debut album of popular French singer and model Vanessa Paradis. It was released in 1988 and featured the hit single "Joe le taxi".

M&J
Studio album by Vanessa Paradis
Released	August 15, 1988
Recorded	1987–1988 Local Studio, Rueil-Malmaison
Genre	Pop R&B
Length	49:29
Label	Polydor PolyGram Barclay Records
Producer	Bertrand Châtenet Franck Langolff Philippe Osman
Vanessa Paradis chronology
M&J (1988) Variations sur le même t'aime (1990)
Singles from M&J
"Joe le Taxi" Released: April 1987 "Marilyn & John" Released: June 1988 "Maxou" Released: November 1988 "Coupe-coupe" Released: March 1989 "Mosquito" Released: September 1989

Background

The album's lead single was the song "Joe le taxi". The song became a hit in France, where it charted at number 1, the UK, Sweden, and Norway.[1] The album's more acclaimed single was the tribute to Marilyn Monroe entitled "Marilyn & John".

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

The album marked the start of a collaboration between Vanessa Paradis and composer Franck Langolff that lasted until his death in 2006.

Track listing

1. "Marilyn & John" 5:48
2. "Maxou" 3:50
3. "Le Bon Dieu est un marin" 4:28
4. "Mosquito" 4:21
5. "Soldat" 5:41
6. "Joe le taxi" 3:56
7. "Coupe coupe" 5:21
8. "Chat ananas" 3:47
9. "Scarabée" 6:25
10. "Marilyn & John" [English Version] 5:46

All songs written by Étienne Roda-Gil (lyrics) and Franck Langolff (music).

Album credits

Daniel Adjadj - backing vocals Patrick Bourgoin - saxophone Ann Calvert - backing vocals Bertrand Châtenet - arranger, engineer, mixing ("Le bon Dieu est un marin") Joshua D'Arche - bass guitar, keyboards, programming & synthesizer ("Joe le taxi") Freddy Della - harmonica Jacques Denjean - string quartet arrangement ("Scarabée") Jean-Luc Escriva - backing vocals Carole Fredericks - backing vocals Alain Ganne - saxophone Katherine Hibbs - photography Yvonne Jones - backing vocals

Christophe Josse - bass guitar, keyboards, programming & synthesizer ("Chat ananas") Kiwi Concept - design Franck Langolff - arranger, guitar, harmonica Thierry Leconte - assistant mixing ("Le bon Dieu est un marin") Alain Lubrano - assistant mixing ("Le bon Dieu est un marin") Bruno Mylonas - mixing Philippe Osman - arranger, bass guitar, keyboards, guitar, programming & synthesizer François Ovide - guitar Anne Papiri - backing vocals Patrick Rousseau - percussion ("Joe le taxi") Patrice Tison - guitar

• Mixed at Studio Guillaume Tell, Suresnes

Charts

Album

Chart (1988)	Peak Position
French Album Chart	13

Singles

5 singles were released from the album.

In addition, in 1987, Paradis released "Manolo Manolete" (B-side "You You")[3][4] as a follow up single to "Joe le taxi", but following relatively disappointing sales, the single was left off the album.[5]

Year	Single	Chart	Peak Position[6]
1987	"Joe le Taxi"	French Singles Chart	1
1988	"Joe le Taxi"	UK Singles Chart	3
1987	"Joe le Taxi"	Swedish Singles Chart	7
1987	"Joe le Taxi"	Norwegian Singles Chart	5
1987	"Manolo Manolete"	French Singles Chart	10
1988	"Marilyn & John"	French Singles Chart	5
1988	"Maxou"	French Singles Chart	13
1989	"Coupe coupe"	French Singles Chart	22

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[7]	Gold	50,000^^
France (SNEP)[8]	Platinum	400,000^*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[9]	Gold	25,000^^
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. Lescharts.com Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r14823
3. Cover art for the Manolo Manolete single
4. Manolo Manolete singles from various countries
5. Manolo Manolete single
6. Lescharts.com
7. "Canadian album certifications – Vanessa Paradis – M&J". Music Canada.
8. "French album certifications – Vanessa Paradis – M&J" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
9. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Vanessa Paradis; 'M&J')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.