Once Upon A Hit | Modjo – “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)”
Once Upon a Hit: A Serie Taking You to the Heart of French Electronic Music’s Greatest Hits
The French Touch celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and French electronic music continues to captivate audiences and ignite dancefloors worldwide. Following a year marked by the success of the Olympic ceremonies, which showcased renowned French electronic artists, the awards won by the documentary dedicated to producer DJ Mehdi, and the rise of a new generation of talents (Irène Drésel, Rone, Kompromat), What the France—the music recommendation platform from the Centre National de la Musique—teams up with Clubbing TV, the leading HDTV channel for electronic music, to present Once Upon a Hit. This six-episode serie delves into the creative secrets behind some of the most iconic tracks of the French Touch movement.
Episode 2 : Modjo – “Lady (Hear me tonight)”
For the second instalment of the Once Upon a Hit series, What the France sits down with Modjo, the Parisian duo made up of Romain Tranchart and Yann Destal. Both coming from a rock and blues background, they first crossed paths at a music school, where they regularly jammed together. One day, when Romain wanted to test out his brand-new sampler, Yann joined in—and just like that, they created what would become a global sensation : “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)”.
Released on September 4, 2000, “Lady” quickly cemented itself as a French Touch classic. With its infectious groove blending house and disco influences, the track climbed the charts worldwide, even reaching No. 1 in the UK—much to the duo’s surprise. Built around a sample from Chic’s song “Soup for One”, its irresistible funk melody and subtle nostalgia helped push sales past the two-million mark.
In this exclusive interview, Romain and Yann look back on the making of this iconic track, from its spontaneous creation to its meteoric rise. They also reflect on its unforgettable music video and the acoustic versions that offered a fresh perspective on the song. More than two decades later, “Lady (Hear Me Tonight)” continues to resonate across generations, fueled by video games, films, and countless artists reimagining it. A true anthem of electronic music, the track embodies the timeless sound that remains etched in collective memory.
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