"Le ballet" (meaning "the ballet") is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion from her thirteenth studio album, D'eux (1995). It was written by Jean-Jacques Goldman and produced by Goldman and Erick Benzi. The song was released as a promotional single in France in January 1996. It became immediately a radio hit, topping the airplay chart for two weeks and ranking as the sixth most economically profitable song of 1996 in France.
Dion recorded D'eux in November and December 1994 in the Méga Studio in Paris, France.[1] Most songs were written by Jean-Jacques Goldman, while the production was handled by Goldman and Erick Benzi.[2] "Le ballet", written by Goldman, was chosen as the third, but promotional only single. It was released in France in January 1996.[3] In February 1996, "Le ballet" was included as B-side of the "Falling into You" single.
"Le ballet" is a bluesy groove song, with percussive finger snaps, harmonica and electric guitar that shows Dion singing blues for first time. The song is an example of D'eux style that was influenced by continental pop, folk music, jazz and 1970s soul. This track is considered an example of Goldman's handling of mature topics and feelings.
"Le ballet" is known for Dion's imitations of instruments. Starting in her D'eux Tour in 1995, and featured on the Live à Paris album, Dion used an extended version of the song to introduce all her band members.[4] She performed it similarly on her Falling Into You Around the World Tour. The song was also performed during Dion's European concerts in 2017. In 2005, it was included on her greatest hits album, On ne change pas.
"Le ballet" entered the airplay chart in France on 27 January 1996 and topped it for two weeks on 2 and 9 March 1996.[5][6][7] It spent 10 weeks inside top 10 and left the airplay top 20 on 20 April 1996, after 12 weeks on the chart.[8] It became Dion's highest charting song on the French airplay chart, beating "Je sais pas" (number two) and "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" (number three).[9][10] According to SACEM, "Le ballet" ranked as the sixth most economically profitable song of 1996 in France.[11]
