Tristana (song) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

The song was generally very well received by the press at the time. For example, Cool stated the song "reveals the original universe of Farmer: mystery, hushed atmosphere, sweet voice". To Foto Musique, "the music superbly refined prevents despair to settle". Rock Musique considered that this song has an "undeniable charm" and Télé Loisirs praised the song for it "aestheticism". Pilote said that with this song, Farmer "pulls through better and better", and Paroles deemed that "the climate of malicious strangeness is undeniable (...), her naughty and indecent songs practice their seduction". Author Erwan Chuberre considered "Tristana" as the "worthy successor of "Libertine", a new lushly romantic hit".

In France, the single debuted at number 33 on the SNEP chart. It gained a few places every week until reaching a peak of number seven on 13 June. The song managed to stay for twelve weeks in the top 20 and 21 weeks on the chart, from 25 April to 12 September 1987. Like Farmer's previous single "Libertine", "Tristana" was certified Silver disc by SNEP in 1987 for a minimum of 200,000 copies sold, thus becoming one of the ten biggest hits of the singer.