Patrick Watson's 'Je te laisserai des mots' Becomes First French-Language Song To Hit A Billion Spotify Streams

Canadian singer-songwriter Patrick Watson has made history on Spotify.

His 2010 song "Je te laisserai des mots" is now the first French-language song to hit a billion streams on the platform.

The song, a wistful composition led by piano and strings, was first written for the 2009 film Mères et Filles.

Listeners clearly agreed that the song has a cinematic quality: it went viral in 2021 and 2022, used by thousands of TikTokers — including Justin Bieber — to soundtrack serene or sad moments in their own lives during Covid restrictions.

Watson joins Bieber and other Canadian artists like Drake, Tate McRae, Alessia Cara and Shawn Mendes in Spotify's Billions Club. Most of the other Canadian members are major label signees with a pop-oriented sound, which makes Watson — an acclaimed indie singer-songwriter represented by Montreal's Secret City Records — a more unusual entry into the club.

Watson's online success demonstrates how TikTok and Instagram can be tools for artists across the board. When the pandemic hit, he turned to Instagram, sharing performances and building new connections with fans online, leading to a wider audience reach.

He's not the only Canadian indie artist to have his music take off on TikTok. B.C. indie group Mother Mother experienced a similar phenomenon with their song "Hayloft," and when The Beaches went viral with "Blame Brett," it launched their career to an international level.

The unpredictably of TikTok means it can boost careers of all kinds — right now, ambient artist Gia Margaret is watching as her track "Hinoki Wood," a moody piano piece, is taking off on the app.

"The modern pop song is now a soundtrack for people’s personal movies,” Watson told The Globe and Mail, speaking about his viral popularity. “The modern hit is the song that can make your normal life seem more interesting and romantic on Instagram.”

Patrick Watson's appeal clearly stretches beyond the social app, however. "Je te laisserai des mots" was the most-streamed French language track both in Canada and globally this year on Spotify, while the veteran songwriter and producer is the No. 6 most popular Québécois artist on Spotify this year in Canada. He finishes alongside Quebec legends Les Cowboys Fringants and Celine Dion, pop star Charlotte Cardin and rappers Souldia and Enima.

Spotify notes that since 2019, listening to music in French has jumped by 94% on the app — which means after Watson, another Billions Club French-language song is only a matter of time. The question is: who will be next?