F. R. David

Elli Robert Fitoussi ), is a French singer, guitarist and musician. He is best known for his 1982 international hit single "Words", which topped the charts in many countries.

Career In Paris, he began his music career as Robert Fitoussi. but their one album was not a success. He was a guitarist for Vangelis in the early 1970s. With Vangelis, he also appeared as vocalist on some of his early 1970s albums. David's voice is also heard on the 1974 single "Who" by Vangelis under the name 'Odyssey'. David then joined French rock band Les Variations, appearing on their final album Café De Paris (1975), which featured an early rock-disco crossover "Superman, Superman". When the band broke up, he went solo again. His personal "trademarks" are his sunglasses and his guitar (a white Fender Stratocaster).

His most recognised song was his hit song "Words", which sold eight million records worldwide and topped various charts throughout Europe in late 1982. The song reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in spring 1983, surpassing a rival version by 1960s hitmakers the Tremeloes, and went on to become the 22nd best-selling single in the UK during 1983. The song appears in the Oscar-nominated film for Best Picture, Call Me by Your Name. The song is a catchy, slightly melancholy ballad led by synths and sung in a slender, high-pitched voice.

During the 1990s, F.R.David focused on writing and composing for other well known artists. He released another album, Words – '99 Version in 2000 which contains mostly covers. In 2006, the album The Wheel - the track list of which was opened and closed by two new remixes of the song "Words" - was released.

In 2009, F.R.David released the album Numbers, which was recorded in collaboration with other musicians and featured songs that Robert himself most preferred. Between 2010 and 2011, he went on a national French tour of 52 concerts. In 2013, F.R.David released an album "Midnight drive".

Personal life Elli Fitoussi is married, has two grown up children and one grandchild. He currently shares his time between his studio in Paris, France and his summer residence in Valencia, Spain.

Discography Studio albums Title Year Peak positions GER UK GER UK US SWI ESP "Black Jack"1981————————(Single only) "Words"19822121126211 Words "Pick Up the Phone" 1983———26———— "Music" ————71——— "I Need You" ———33————(Single only) "Play a Little Game" ———————— "Gotta Get a Move On" ———————— "Sand Dunes" ———————— "Long Distance Flight" 1984————————Long Distance Flight "This Time I Have to Win" ———————— "Dream Away" ———————— "Sahara Night" 1986———————9Reflections "Sun" 1987———————— "Don't Go" ———————— "Words" (1989 remix)1989————————(Single only) "I'll Try to Love Again"1992———————— "Words (Single & Extended Version)" 2012———————— "Your Love Shines" 2018———————— "Paris Is Her Home" ———————— "Words (Red Bus Remix)" 2019———————— "Time Is Not Mine" 2022———————— "Words (Sped Up 10 %)" 2023———————— "I WON'T FORGET YOU"2025—— "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Discography in other formations with Les Trèfles Sont ils innocent? (EP, 1965) with Les Boots "Laissez briller le soleil"/"Trop tard"/"Le cerf-volant"/"Demain" (EP, 1966) "Les gens sont méchants"/"Ali Baba"/"Vingt ans"/"Twen" (EP, 1966) Tout Va Bien (Compilation, 1997) with Cockpit Cockpit (album, 1971) "Fifi"/"Father Machine" (single, 1971) "Bright Tomorrow"/"Lena, Lena" (single, 1971) "Mister Hardy"/"8 Days and a Wake Up" (single, 1972) with Les Variations Café de Paris (album, 1975) with King of Hearts Close, but No Guitar (album, 1978)