He answers questions from La Gazette du Var.

Jean Pierre, you are releasing “Ohé Ohé Allez la France”, an anthem intended for supporters for the Coupe du Monde 2026. Why this title?

Because I'm a repeat offender! I lived in Paris for 50 years, I experienced the atmosphere of PSG, and in the 80s, I had written the anthem of the Sporting Club de Toulon with Rolland Courbis. In 1998, I had also signed the female supporters' anthem, the year we became world champions. So for this Coupe du monde, I wanted to make a real popular song again. A simple, effective chorus that you remember after one listen. And besides, I love it.

Is the track already available?

It's online on all streaming platforms. And the single is coming out in about ten days. Rock, with a riff that grabs you straight away. I worked with a guitarist who plays heavy, a bit of a hard rock sound, very energetic. The goal was for people to feel the stadium atmosphere from the very first seconds: the rhythm, the tension, the desire to sing. The guitar carries the whole track, it gives the momentum, it pushes the chorus. And since the melody is super simple, the supporters can pick it up immediately. (He laughs.) It's an anthem, it has to pack a punch. I even made a second accordion version, because I started playing that instrument when I was 6. And then DJs will surely get hold of it. I've already sent the track to Jean Roch, an iconic figure of Saint-Tropez nights. If anyone can launch an anthem in June parties, it's him.

Your other news is this major show around Starmania?

It's a huge project with our association. It's “Le jour se lève sur Starmania”, an adaptation I did with my wife Sandry. Here again, 14 essential tracks, re-orchestrated, and these are not the 1978 versions. They are modern, dynamic versions. The backing vocals are recorded by the students themselves in my studio, which is highly rewarding for them, and everything will be sung live. More than 60 students on stage: singing, dancing, musical cohesion... Starmania is a repertoire that speaks to everyone. In fact, we invite the readers of La Gazette du Var to come and see us at the Live du Zénith, on Sunday, June 28 at 4 p.m.

Is the idea really for supporters to make the chorus their own?

As soon as they hear “Ohé ohé, Allez la France”, they will sing along. It's very commercial, very unifying.

You are also re-releasing “Besoin de rien, envie de toi” in two versions.

The music video highlights the supporters, the American stadiums... I didn't want to put myself forward. It's not a 'me-me-me' video. If the stands adopt it, it's a win. It's a reissue. The single was released in 2013 with Joanna, an incredible singer. She is the daughter of Clémence Bringtown, the iconic female voice of La Compagnie créole, a legendary 80s group. Joanna has a real career: Caribbean stages, pop collaborations, musicals, and an impressive stage presence. Today she lives in Toulon with her husband, the high-level keyboardist Alain Antonelli. She has recorded a Creole version, “Bisous de vous”, and a Spanish bachata version, “Te Necesito, Te Deseo”, written by Julio Iglesias's lyricist. Both tracks are online.

And are you also releasing a new single?

My single is coming out in June, it's called 'J'aime quand tu danses'. It's a track I wrote in 1980, really before the duo. I completely remade it, rearranged it differently. This time, I went with a funk side, a style I have rarely done, maybe a bit in the years 80-81. The track has nothing to do with the original version: now, it's very danceable, very rhythmic. We recorded the vocals in my studio, with musicians. We had a blast. It was truly a pleasure to rework this track, to give it a new life. DJs love it. It gets me out of my usual melodies a bit, and I had a lot of fun doing it again. Some of my productions are on my YouTube page: youtube.com/@jpsavelli. I am self-produced, like many of my friends from the 80s. We make mini videos, teasers... That's enough to get noticed today.

Will you also be on tour this summer?

We are playing on July 13 in Bormes-les-Mimosas with my 70s-80s show: medleys of Fugain, Delpech, Dassin, Christophe... We sing over the original tracks, with two female singers, one male singer, five dancers and a DJ. We will also tour in Alpes-Maritimes, Gard, Vaucluse, and even the arènes du Cap d’Agde (he laughs), without the bulls, I reassure you. •

“Le jour se lève sur Starmania”, an XXL show

Covers, reissues and musical journeys

A new funk single and continuous productions

A summer on stage