Jimmy Somerville feat. June Miles Kingston – “Comment Te Dire Adieu”:
French Heartache with Hi-NRG Flair
Released in October 1989 as the third single from Jimmy Somerville’s debut solo album Read My Lips, “Comment Te Dire Adieu” pairs his iconic falsetto with June Miles Kingston’s understated vocals in a shimmering, stylish duet. More than just a cover, it’s a dancefloor reinvention of a 1960s French heartbreak anthem — a breakup you can groove to.
It’s chic, cheeky, and unmistakably Somerville.
A French Standard, Reimagined
The song began as “It Hurts to Say Goodbye,” an English-language ballad written by Arnold Goland and Jack Gold. Serge Gainsbourg later adapted the lyrics into French, giving the world “Comment Te Dire Adieu,” which was made famous by Françoise Hardy in 1968. Her version was wistful and restrained — bittersweet with a breezy melody.
Somerville and Kingston flipped the arrangement entirely. Their version leans into hi-NRG synth-pop, replacing Hardy’s sigh with bass, bounce, and bittersweet sparkle. It kept the melancholy core intact but dressed it in sequins and an after-hours pulse.
A Duet That Plays Like a Dialogue
The strength of this version lies in the vocal interplay. Somerville’s expressive falsetto carries the emotional urgency, while June Miles Kingston, best known for her work with Everything But the Girl and The Communards, balances him with grounded cool. Their voices weave together in a kind of lyrical fencing match — one trying to say goodbye, the other dodging sentiment with poise.
The result feels like a conversation — melodrama clashing gently with detachment — and it’s utterly compelling, even if you don’t speak a word of French.
Sparkling Production, Camp Edge
Produced by Pascal Gabriel (S’Express, Bomb the Bass), the track’s production is sleek and radiant, steeped in late-’80s club aesthetics. Sparkling synths, punchy drum programming, and a glossy sheen elevate it far beyond nostalgia. While hi-NRG pulses beneath, there’s no rush — just a confident swirl of rhythm and melancholy.
It’s reverent to its chanson roots while wearing full eyeliner and stepping into the club.
Chart Success and Crossover Appeal
“Comment Te Dire Adieu” reached No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1989, spending nine weeks in the Top 100. It also charted in Belgium (No. 23) and climbed to No. 6 on the European Airplay Top 50. Though it didn’t chart in Australia, it gained underground popularity in LGBTQ+ club scenes across Europe, where Somerville remained a beloved figure.
Visuals That Match the Mood
The music video features Somerville and Kingston in a stylized studio setting, complete with split-screen effects, French signboards, and playful choreography. There’s a hint of nouvelle vague and a whole lot of wink — the visuals serve up bilingual glamour with just the right amount of retro camp.
Elegance, Irony, and Falsetto Fire
Jimmy Somerville has always had a gift for transforming older songs into something both nostalgic and newly urgent — and “Comment Te Dire Adieu” is no exception. Alongside his iconic covers like “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” this remains a standout moment of cross-cultural synthesis, showcasing his vocal range and flair for reinvention.
It’s French heartbreak with a synthesizer heartbeat — dramatic, delicious, and irresistibly danceable.