Patrick Hernandez says he’s “thrilled” about Chris’s cover of his song “Born to Be Alive”

Chris sang this global hit at the end of the opening ceremony on Wednesday evening. Patrick Hernandez expressed his pride on franceinfo on Thursday.

“I didn’t imagine Chris and in fact it made me really, really happy to see this wild interpretation”confided Patrick Hernandez on franceinfo on Thursday August 29 morning, whose hit Born to be alive was taken up by Chris at the end of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.

The musician knew that his song would appear during the ceremony, “I had a confidentiality clause” he confides, but he still had a big surprise in front of his television. “I found out who was performing the song live on Wednesday night”he jokes. “I was thinking of Mika perhaps who has a pop-rock side that I like a lot or perhaps our friend the Turtle, Christophe Willem”but he is far from disappointed by Chris’ choice. “I really like what Chris does and it was a nice surprise for me to find the rock vibe of the songwriting, because it hasn’t always been disco.”

In 1975, Patrick Hernandez recorded a rock version of the song. “I found this musical atmosphere through Chris’ interpretation”he smiled. “I am very proud to have been present through my song”adds Patrick Hernandez, “I am absolutely delighted that this message has finally come across, it is a positive message, very open” and therefore suitable for the Paralympic evening, according to him.

The exhibition to 10 million French spectators will put the spotlight back on this music released in 1978. “The song is stainless, but the guy is not”laughs Patrick Hernandez, “she has a greenness that never fades.” He is perhaps considering a new version of Born to be alive, “A duet with Chris is a good idea.” “We could have done a duet [mercredi] evening”adds the singer, with a hint of regret. But he assures that he still appreciated it “the arrangement”with “lots of new things.”