# Zora sourit

"Zora sourit" (meaning "Zora smiles") is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion from her sixteenth studio album, S'il suffisait d'aimer (1998). It was written by Jean-Jacques Goldman and J. Kapler, and produced by Goldman and Erick Benzi. The song was released as the album's lead single on 7 September 1998. "Zora sourit" topped the chart in Quebec for five weeks. Elsewhere, it peaked at numbers seven in Poland, 12 in Belgium Wallonia, 20 in France and 25 in Switzerland. It was also certified Gold in France and Belgium. The song's lyrics and music video denounce racism and advocate tolerance.

## Background and release

After D'eux became the best-selling French-language album of all time, Dion reunited with Jean-Jacques Goldman to record another album together. S'il suffisait d'aimer was recorded between September 1997 and July 1998, and produced by Goldman and Erick Benzi. "Zora sourit", written by Goldman and his brother J. Kapler, was chosen as the lead single and premiered on the radio on 3 August 1998. Commercially, "Zora sourit" was released on 7 September 1998 in Belgium and Switzerland, and 14 September 1998 in France and the Netherlands. It was planned to be released in the UK as part of a double A-side single with "To Love You More" on 21 September 1998, but this release did not materialise. In 2005, it was included on Dion's greatest hits album, On ne change pas.
The song is dedicated to Algerian women. According to Dion, for her Zora represents not only Algeria, but all women from countries where they do not have the chance to be free and happy. The lyrics put in light the example of a woman who fights for herself and others, resists insults and keeps her dignity in spite of difficulties.

## Commercial performance

In Quebec, "Zora sourit" entered the chart on 15 August 1998, topped it for five weeks and spent 33 weeks there in total. It also reached number seven in Poland. Commercially, the single was released one week after the album S'il suffisait d'aimer in Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, and two weeks after the album in France. It reached numbers 12 in Belgium Wallonia, 20 in France, 25 in Switzerland, 48 in Belgium Flanders and 67 in the Netherlands. It was certified Gold in France and Belgium. On the airplay charts in these countries, it peaked at numbers 1 in Belgium Wallonia, 2 in France, 13 in the Netherlands and 20 in Belgium Flanders.

## Music video

"Zora sourit" music video was directed by Yannick Saillet and released on 1 September 1998. The scenes with Dion were filmed on 30 July 1998 in Miami, Florida, while others were shot in Aubervilliers, Seine-Saint-Denis. The video is dedicated to Algerian women. It shows the titular character Zora walking down the street with a package, meeting with different reactions of people passing by. At the end, Zora sends her package to Algeria. The music video denounces racism and advocates tolerance. In 2005, it was included on Dion's greatest hits DVD collection, On ne change pas.

## Track listing and formats

* French CD single
* "Zora sourit" – 3:52
* "Sur le même bateau" – 4:25
* French 12-inch and CD maxi single
* "Zora sourit" – 3:52
* "Sur le même bateau" – 4:25
* "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" – 4:14

## Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for "Zora sourit" :
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Belgium (BEA) | Gold | 25,000$^*$ |
| France (SNEP) | Gold | 250,000$^*$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

"Zora sourit" release history :
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| BelgiumSwitzerland | 7 September 1998 | CD | Columbia |
| France | 14 September 1998 | 12-inchCD | Columbia |
| Netherlands | 14 September 1998 | CD | Columbia |