Editing Oxygène

{{other uses|Oxygene (disambiguation){{!}}Oxygene}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Oxygène
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Jean-Michel Jarre]]
| cover      = Oxygene_album_cover.jpg
| alt        = 
| released   = December 1976
| recorded   = August–November 1976
| studio     = Jean-Michel Jarre's home studio, Paris
| genre      = {{hlist|[[Electronic music|Electronic]]|[[Ambient music|ambient]]|[[synth-pop]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Essential albums: Jean-Michel Jarre |url=http://ambientmusicguide.com/a-z-essential-albums/jean-michel-jarre/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209224146/http://ambientmusicguide.com/a-z-essential-albums/jean-michel-jarre/ |archive-date=9 December 2016 |website=Ambient Music Guide |access-date=11 June 2022 |language=en-AU}}</ref>|[[space music]]<ref>Listed in "A Classic Space Music Countdown to Liftoff: 10 Essential classic space music albums, counting down from 10 to 1" [http://www.echoes.org/TimeWarped.html ''Time Warped in Space'' by Echoes Radio producer and host, John Diliberto] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407044440/http://www.echoes.org/TimeWarped.html |date=2007-04-07|}}.</ref>|[[New-age music|new-age]]{{Sfn|Rachele|1994|p=277}}|[[electropop]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Future Music |date=2005 |publisher=Future Pub. |page=84 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cDhLAAAAYAAJ |access-date=18 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>}}
| length     = 39:39
| label      = Disques Motors/[[Polydor Records|Polydor]]
| producer   = [[Jean-Michel Jarre]]
| prev_title = Les Granges Brûlées
| prev_year  = 1973
| next_title = [[Équinoxe]]
| next_year  = 1978
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = Oxygène
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[Oxygène (Part IV)]]
 | single1date = January 1977
 | single2     = Oxygène (Part II)
 | single2date = 1977
}}
}}

'''''Oxygène''''' ({{IPA|fr|ɔksiˈʒɛn}}, {{langx|en|Oxygen}}) is the third studio album by French [[Electronic music|electronic]] musician and composer [[Jean-Michel Jarre]]. It was first released in France in December 1976 by Disques Motors, and distributed internationally in 1977 by [[Polydor Records]]. Jarre recorded the album in a makeshift studio that he set up in his apartment in Paris, using a variety of [[analog synthesizer|analog]] and [[digital synthesizer|digital]] synthesizers, and other electronic instruments and effects. 

French sound engineer [[Michel Geiss]] helped Jarre in the purchase, recording and programming of some instruments used on the album. Jarre's musical style was influenced by [[musique concrète]], developed by [[Pierre Schaeffer]]. The album was supported by two singles, "Oxygène (Part II)" and "[[Oxygène (Part IV)]]". Following the international success of the latter, the album became Jarre's breakthrough, reaching number one on the [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|French Albums Chart]]s. It was inspired by the track "[[Popcorn (instrumental)|Popcorn]]" by German-American electronic composer [[Gershon Kingsley]].

Oxygène has been described as the album that "led the synthesizer revolution of the Seventies"<ref name="Green">{{cite news |last=Green |first=Thomas H. |title=Oxygene: ba-boo-boo beew |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London, England |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3672108/Oxygene-ba-boo-boo-beew.html |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=14 March 2009}}</ref> and "an infectious combination of bouncy, bubbling analog sequences and memorable hook lines".<ref name="Greg">{{cite book |first=Greg |last=Rule |title=Electro Shock!: Groundbreakers of Synth Music |page=238 |url=https://archive.org/details/electroshock00greg/page/238 |publisher=Backbeat Books |date=1999 |isbn=978-0-8793-0582-6}}</ref> The album influenced later artists such as [[Moby]] and Brian Canham of [[Pseudo Echo]]. In 1978, it would be followed by ''[[Équinoxe]]'' and in 1979, Jarre held an open-air concert at the [[Place de la Concorde]], causing the sales of both albums to increase, reaching worldwide figures of 15 million copies. As of 2016 it had sold an estimated 18 million copies and is one of the best-selling French, electronic and instrumental albums in history.

== Background ==
In 1967 Jarre travelled to London to sell his electric guitar and amplifier to be able to buy his first synthesizer, an [[EMS VCS 3]] (one of the first units of the instrument), which he used on many of his subsequent albums.<ref name="Green" /><ref name="kpcc">{{cite news |title=Jean-Michel Jarre fuses Snowden and synths for his rebellious 'Electronica' album project |url=https://www.kpcc.org/show/the-frame/2017-02-10/jean-michel-jarre-fuses-snowden-and-synths-for-his-rebellious-electronica-album-project |access-date=23 August 2022 |work=KPCC - NPR News for Southern California - 89.3 FM |date=10 February 2017}}</ref> He also played guitar in a band called ''The Dustbins'' and mixed instruments including the electric guitar and the flute with tape effects and other sounds.<ref name="Steamroller">{{cite AV media | people=Powell, Aubrey (director) | date=1997 | title=Making the Steamroller Fly | type=TV documentary}}</ref> Jarre began working with early [[Analog synthesizer|analogue synthesizer]]s and [[tape loop]]s in 1968, and in 1969 he joined the ''Groupe de Recherches Musicales'' ({{literal translation|musical research group}}),<ref name="Hughesp303">{{Harvnb|Hughes|Reader|2003|p=303}}</ref> founded and led by [[Pierre Schaeffer]],<ref name="soundonsound" /> who developed [[musique concrete]], a type of [[Musical composition|music composition]] that is mainly based on the use of pre-recorded sounds, originating the concept of [[Sampling (music)|sampling]].<ref name="Green" /> That same year he mixed the harmony, synthesizers and tape effects to record his debut single "La Cage/Erosmachine".<ref name="Remilleuxp27">{{Harvnb|Remilleux|1988|p=27}}</ref> In 1971, he left the institution and dedicated himself to designing Triangle's electronic sound effects; he also went to the [[Pathé Records|Pathé-Marconi]] record company to release it.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=22–23}} Jarre had also done production work for some rock artists, earning enough to set up a small makeshift recording studio in the kitchen of his apartment on Rue de la Trémoille,<ref name="The Guardian" /><ref name="mojo2015">{{cite magazine |last=Alexander |first=Phil |title=Electric Dreams |magazine=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] |date=November 2015 |page=45 |url=https://ia804508.us.archive.org/24/items/mojo-november-2015/Mojo%20-%20November%202015.pdf |access-date=25 August 2022 }}</ref> near the [[Champs-Élysées]] in Paris.<ref name="oxygene97" /> Initially it included very basic equipment consisting of a few guitar pedals,<ref name="jeanmicheljarre.es" /><ref name="The Guardian" /> a [[Farfisa]] organ, the EMS VCS 3,<ref name="Redbull interview">{{citation |last=Thévenin |first=Patrick |title=Jean-Michel Jarre's Favorite Synths |date=3 May 2012 |url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2012/05/jarre-synth}}</ref> and an [[EMS Synthi AKS]]; these last two were linked to two [[Revox]] tape machines.<ref name="Remilleuxp27" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Black |first=Johnny |title=Vinyl Icons: Jean-Michel Jarre ''Equinoxe'' |magazine=[[Hi-Fi News & Record Review]] |date=February 2020 |url=https://www.hifinews.com/content/jean-michel-jarre-equinoxe |access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref> 

One of Schaeffer's former students and artistic director of Disques Motors, Hélène Dreyfus convinced her husband, Francis Dreyfus, to hire Jean-Michel as an employee of his record label. Initially Francis offered Jarre a job as a copyright administrator, however he opted to sign an exclusive songwriting and recording contract.<ref name="danielefeuillerat2013" />{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=25-26}} In 1972, the American synth-pop band [[Hot Butter]] released a successful version of [[Gershon Kingsley]]'s "[[Popcorn (instrumental)|Popcorn]]".<ref>{{cite web |first= Marshall |last=Bowden |title=Oxygene by Jean-Michel Jarre |url=https://www.newdirectionsinmusic.com/oxygene-by-jean-michel-jarre/ |website=New Directions In Music |access-date=3 July 2022 |date=28 September 2020}}</ref> Jarre in that same year released his respective cover version under the pseudonyms Pop Corn Orchestra and Jammie Jeferson.<ref>{{cite web |title=To «Pop corn» (1969), είναι το πιο αναγνωρισμένο και το πιο αγέραστο electro-pop κομμάτι στην ιστορία της μουσικής |url=https://www.lifo.gr/culture/music/pop-corn-1969-einai-pio-anagnorismeno-kai-pio-agerasto-electro-pop-kommati-stin |website=[[Lifo (magazine)|Lifo]] |access-date=13 August 2022 |language=el |date=13 January 2020}}</ref> Although unsuccessful, the track would serve as an inspiration for his most successful single, "[[Oxygène (Part IV)]]".<ref name="electricityclub.co.uk">{{cite web |title=A Beginner's Guide To JEAN-MICHEL JARRE |url=https://www.electricityclub.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-jean-michel-jarre/ |website=ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK |access-date=3 July 2022 |date=9 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Making of: Oxygene von Jean-Michel Jarre |url=https://www.amazona.de/community/making-of-oxygene-von-jean-michel-jarre/ |website=AMAZONA.de |access-date=20 September 2022 |language=de-DE |date=11 March 2022}}</ref> 

Their first two albums as well as their previous single were recorded on the label, Disques Motors, however they were not published there.<ref name="danielefeuillerat2013" /> Jarre released on Sam Fox Productions his debut [[Experimental music|experimental]] album ''Deserted Palace'' intended to be used in films and on television.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Michel-Jarre |first1=Jean |title=The essential Jean-Michel Jarre in 10 tracks |url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/the-essential-jean-michel-jarre-in-10-tracks/ |website=[[The Vinyl Factory]] |access-date=5 September 2022 |date=18 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="Remilleuxp27" /><ref name="Hughesp303" /> It was created using the VCS 3 and [[Rocky Mount Instruments|RMI Keyboard Computer]].<ref name="Redbull interview" /> In 1973 he composed the soundtrack for the French drama film ''Les Granges Brûlées'' (English: [[The Burned Barns]]).<ref>{{cite web |last=Lanoye |first=Mickaël |title=Test Blu-ray : Les granges brûlées |url=https://www.critique-film.fr/test-blu-ray-les-granges-brulees/ |website=Critique Film |access-date=21 August 2022 |language=fr-FR |date=16 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Remilleux|1988|p=18}}</ref> In its beginnings in the label, he was mainly dedicated to writing music and lyrics for other artists inside and outside the label from 1972 to 1975. The royalties received by Jean-Michel during his collaborations with [[Françoise Hardy]], [[Gérard Lenorman]] and [[Patrick Juvet]] allowed him to purchase the [[ARP 2600]],<ref name="danielefeuillerat2013" />{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=27-29}} used in several of his collaborations with the French singer [[Christophe (singer)|Christophe]] and solo works.<ref name="Redbull interview" /> 

In 1974, Jarre attended a conference on the analog synthesizer and the ARP 2600 at the TDF center in [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]]. It was carried out by radio and television engineers, and French musical instrument designer [[Michel Geiss]].{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=27-29}} Later, Jarre contacted Geiss by phone to invite him to his private apartment,<ref name="jeanmicheljarre.es" /> Geiss accepted and visited Jean-Michel's makeshift studio, where he had the ARP 2600, the [[Eminent 310 Unique]], the VCS 3 and more.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=31-33}} Shortly after meeting, Jarre and Geiss started working together during the recording of Jarre's next album. Geiss, who at that time worked as a maintenance technician at {{Interlanguage link|Barclay studios|fr|lt=Barclay studios}},{{Sfn|Jarre|2019}} advised Jarre on the purchase of instruments such as the [[RMI Harmonic Synthesizer]] at the Piano Center's music fair, and was in charge of the programming and recording of some of them.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=31-33}} Later, Jarre managed to finance the purchase of a [[Scully Recording Instruments|Scully]] [[Multitrack recording|8-track]] studio recorder and a mixture of [[Ampex]] 256 and 3M tape.<ref name="soundonsound">{{Citation | last = Flint | first = Tom | title = Jean-Michel Jarre – 30 Years of Oxygene | url = http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb08/articles/jmjarre.htm | work = Sound on Sound | date = February 2008 | access-date = 28 May 2009}}</ref><ref name="jeanmicheljarre.es">{{cite web |title=Interview with Michel Geiss (I) |url=https://en.jeanmicheljarre.es/2014/03/25/interview-with-michel-geiss-i/ |website=Fairlight Jarre |access-date=24 August 2022 |date=25 March 2014}}</ref> In that same year, he composed the opening jingle for the [[A4 autoroute]] (also known as ''autoroute de l'Est''), some media such as ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' pointed out the possible original incarnation of "Oxygène (Part IV)" in the jingle.<ref name="Green" /><ref name="francemusique.fr" />

==Composition and Recording==
[[File:Korg Mini-Pops 7.jpg|thumb|The Korg Mini-Pops 7 drum machine was used in different ''Oxygène'' tracks]]
Jarre recorded ''Oxygène'' between August and November 1976, using the makeshift recording studio in his apartment.<ref name="oxygene97">{{cite AV media notes |title=Oxygène |date=1997 |type=booklet |publisher=Disques Dreyfus/Epic |id=487375 2}}</ref> In the Ferber studio Jarre recovered his old [[Mellotron]] that had few functional keys to write the first piece of music for the album, "Oxygène (Part II)".<ref name="greenrom.fr" /><ref name="The Guardian" />{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=31-33}} During the recording of the album Jarre used a Revox tape to delay the sound coming out of a speaker in order to achieve a "huge sense of space".<ref name="The Guardian" /> This liberal use of [[Echo (phenomenon)|echo]] was used on the various sound effects generated by the EMS VCS 3 synthesiser.<ref name="Green" /> The persistent allusions to terrestrial elements and the biosphere meant that the album would frequently be associated with the [[new-age music|new-age]] musical movement.<ref name="Green" />

A [[reverb effect]] was made through the VCS 3. Jarre also used an [[AKG (company)|AKG]] stereo reverb and an [[Elektromesstechnik|EMT]] plate reverb which was meters long in live performances, and eight different stereo echoes.<ref name="keyboard" />  Some little beep sounds were played on the EMS Synthi AKS,<ref name="francemusique.fr">{{cite web |title=Oxygène: Le poème électronique de Jean-Michel Jarre |url=https://www.francemusique.fr/emissions/maxxi-classique/oxygene-le-poeme-electronique-de-jean-michel-jarre |website=France Musique |date=21 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022 |language=fr}}</ref> as were the waves sound used in "Oxygène (Part II)".<ref name="electricityclub.co.uk" /> The album also included electronic "evocations of chirping birds".<ref name="Greg" /> 

Jarre used various other synthesizers and electronic instruments to create the tracks of "symphonic electronic music" on ''Oxygène''.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=31-33}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=James |first1=Martin |title=French Connections: Daft Punk, Air, Super Discount & the Birth of French Touch |date=17 June 2022 |publisher=Velocity Press |isbn=978-1-913231-30-9 |page=38 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZMx1EAAAQBAJ&dq=oxygene+album+jean-michel+jarre+influence&pg=PT38 |access-date=28 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The sounds of the [[Farfisa]] organ were heavily modified.<ref name="keyboard">{{cite journal |title=Jean Michel Jarre Continued from page 20 |journal=Contemporary Keyboard |date=1978 |page=53 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b2QJAQAAMAAJ |access-date=29 September 2022 |publisher=GPI Publications |language=en}}</ref> Geiss programmed specific sounds in the ARP 2600, among them the main sound of "Oxygène (Part IV)" and the "breathing" waves sound in "Oxygène (Part VI)".<ref name="jeanmicheljarre.es" /><ref name="Greg" />{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=31-33}} The Eminent 310 organ as well as the VCS 3 went through a phase pedal for guitars Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser in order to provide the string pads used on the album.<ref name="Redbull interview" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Music |first1=Future |title=9 essential tips for using stompboxes in your studio |url=https://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/9-essential-tips-for-using-stompboxes-in-your-studio-623530 |website=MusicRadar |access-date=26 September 2022 |language=en |date=22 June 2015}}</ref> The main [[Sequence (music)|sequence]] of "Oxygène (Part V)" was created with an RMI Keyboard Computer,<ref name="Redbull interview" /> while both the Keyboard Computer and the RMI Harmonic Synthesizer were used on "Oxygène (Part IV)", "Oxygène (Part V)" and "Oxygène (Part VI)".{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=31-33}} 

Some of the drum sounds on the album were produced using adhesive tape to hold down two preset buttons on a [[Korg Mini Pops|Korg Mini-Pops 7]] drum machine simultaneously – "Oxygène (Part IV)" mixed the "[[Rock music|rock]]" and "[[slow rock]]" presets, while "Oxygène (Part VI)" mixed "[[rhumba]]" and "[[bossa nova]]".<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news |last=Simpson |first=Dave |title=Jean-Michel Jarre: how we made ''Oxygène'' |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=16 October 2018 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/16/jean-michel-jarre-michel-granger-oxygene |access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> "Oxygène (Part II)" instead used only the "[[swing music|swing]]" preset.<ref name="electricityclub.co.uk" /> The album was mixed by sound engineer Jean-Pierre Janiaud and his assistant Patrick Foulon at the Gang studio, it also was mastered at Translab studio.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=31-33}}<ref name="Oxygène booklet 2014" />

== Artwork ==
The cover art features a skull inside a dismembered Earth and is an adaptation of a 30 x 40 cm (12" x 16") watercolor,<ref name="Green" /><ref name="The Guardian" /> also named ''Oxygène'', by the French painter [[Michel Granger]].{{Sfn|Pezzi|2021|p=297–299}} A picture of the painting was first published in 1972 in the magazine ''[[Pilote]]'', and in 1976 the artwork was displayed at the Marquet Gallery, in rue Bonaparte in Paris.<ref name="petit" /> Jean-Michel visited this gallery and bought it, then Granger received a phone call from the gallery director to inform him that Jarre wanted to see him in person.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=35-37}} On 15 September 1976, Jarre met with Granger so that he could modify the background of the watercolor and adapt it to the square shape of an [[LP record]].<ref name="petit">{{cite web |last=Raymond |first=Vincent |title=Michel Granger: 'Pour Oxygène, Jarre a été gonflé de prendre un dessin écolo' |url=https://www.petit-bulletin.fr/lyon/article-56064-Michel+Granger+++++Pour+Oxygene++Jarre+a+ete+gonfle+de+prendre+un+dessin+ecolo++.html |work=Le Petit Bulletin Lyon |access-date=1 September 2022 |language=fr |date=15 November 2016}}</ref>

The album title was taken from the artwork because he considered that he "perfectly adheres to the spirit of the songs".{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=35-37}} Jarre said: "30 years ago there weren't so many people thinking about the planet. But I've always been interested in that, not necessarily in a political way but in a poetic, surrealistic way."<ref name="Green" /> Jarre also told the English newspaper ''[[The Guardian]]'' that "in a way, I wanted to link everything to nature and environmental issues". Granger stated that "''Oxygène'' was part of a series about the damage being done to our planet. It was a pretty violent image for a record cover." He added, "That picture is the best known of all my work. It's my [[Mona Lisa]]. But I don't feel like it belongs to me any more. It belongs to anyone who loves the music of Jean-Michel Jarre."<ref name="The Guardian" />

== Release ==
{{listen | pos=right | filename=Jean Michel Jarre Oxygene iv.ogg | title="Oxygène Part IV" | description="Oxygène (Part IV)" is Jarre's most successful single | format=[[Ogg]]}}

''Oxygène'' was turned down by several record companies<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Mark |title=Jean Michel Jarre's return to planet Oxygene |url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/music/article82474.ece |access-date=14 September 2022 |work=The Sunday Times |date=16 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714190329/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/music/article82474.ece |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> such as [[Island Records]] founded by [[Chris Blackwell]],<ref name="greenrom.fr">{{cite web |title=Oxygène ou l'histoire de l'ovni électronique vendu à plus de 18 millions d'exemplaires |url=https://www.greenroom.fr/114138-oxygene-ou-lhistoire-de-lovni-electronique-vendu-a-plus-de-18-millions-dexemplaires/ |website=Greenroom |access-date=18 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102020035/https://www.greenroom.fr/114138-oxygene-ou-lhistoire-de-lovni-electronique-vendu-a-plus-de-18-millions-dexemplaires/ |archive-date=2 January 2017 |language=fr-FR |date=29 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> who later thought that he made two professional mistakes in his life: rejecting ''Oxygène'' and [[Elton John]]'s first album, ''[[Empty Sky]]''.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=35-37}} Jean-Michel decided to meet once again with Francis, the head of the Disques Motors label to see if he could release the album, to which he immediately agreed saying: "Right, well we have a world success...".{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=35-37}}

''Oxygène'' was released in December 1976 in France,<ref name="danielefeuillerat2013">{{cite web |title=Interview with Daniéle Feuillerat |url=https://en.jeanmicheljarre.es/2013/10/30/interview-with-daniele-feuillerat/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019192144/https://en.jeanmicheljarre.es/2013/10/30/interview-with-daniele-feuillerat/ |archive-date=19 October 2021|website=Fairlight Jarre |access-date=15 September 2022 |date=30 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=BOQUET-VAUTOR |first1=Lorelei |title=Jean-Michel Jarre : les cinq jours qui ont marqué sa vie - 50' inside |url=https://www.tf1.fr/tf1/50-mn-inside/news/jean-michel-jarre-cinq-jours-ont-marque-vie-3163986.html |website=MYTF1 |access-date=20 September 2022 |language=fr |date=17 October 2015}}</ref> and the first pressing of 50,000&nbsp;copies were given away to a limited number of hi-fi shops vendors. They used a few copies of the album to showcase its stereo sound qualities to their customers,<ref name="Green" />{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=35-37}} and also as an example of "state-of-the-art sound".<ref name="The Guardian" /> These copies were also promoted through clubs and discos.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Hennessey | first = Mike | author-link=Mike Hennessey |title = The French Revolution | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=JyQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT49 | magazine = Billboard |page=49 | date = 12 August 1978 | access-date = 27 May 2009}}</ref> In addition, Jean-Michel and Francis did a promotional poster campaign in Paris.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=35-37}}

In early 1977, Jarre together with long-time collaborator Juvet decided to put together the same team from the album ''Mort ou vif'' and set about writing the album ''{{Interlanguage link|Paris by Night (album de Patrick Juvet)|fr|lt=Paris by Night}}'', which contained the hit single "{{Interlanguage link|Où sont les femmes ?|fr|lt=Où sont les femmes?}}". The album was released in June and topped the charts. After another album with Christophe entitled ''{{Interlanguage link|La dolce vita (album)|fr|lt=La dolce vita}}'' in the same year, Jarre decided to stop writing music and lyrics for other artists and preferred to dedicate himself entirely to his solo musical career.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=42}}

In 1977, the album was released internationally by [[Polydor Records]],{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=38-40}} and by April, it had sold 70,000&nbsp;copies in France.<ref name="kahn" /> "Oxygène (Part IV)" was Jarre's breakthrough single worldwide, peaking at number four on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Singles Chart Top 50: 04–10 September 1977 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19770904/7501/ |website=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=31 August 2022}}</ref> This success led to the album reaching number one on the [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|French Albums Chart]]s,<ref name="billboard86" /> number two on the [[UK Albums Chart|UK Albums]]<ref name="uk" /> and number seventy-eight on the US ''[[Billboard 200|Billboard Top LPs & Tape]]''.<ref name="billboard80" /> "Oxygène (Part II)" was edited to about 3 minutes to be released in France as a single.<ref name="electricityclub.co.uk" /> 

"Oxygène (Part IV)" began to play on the most important radio stations in his native country and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="Green" /> [[Europe 1]] used it as the theme of two of its regular programs, ''Hit Parade'' directed by Jean-Loup Lafont and basketball show ''Basket sur Europe 1'' in the credit titles.<ref name="francemusique.fr" />{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=38-40}} The radio station also dedicated an hour and a half program in Jean-Michel's studio, and played the entire album, bringing his music to millions of people.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=38-40}} It was played on Dutch radio and television throughout the two days in 1977 that [[Republic of South Maluku|South Moluccan]] terrorists held.<ref>{{cite book |last1=LaBlanc |first1=Michael L. |title=Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music |date=1989 |publisher=Gale Research, Incorporated |isbn=978-0-8103-2212-7 |page=107 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V7aQ7xFo1MsC |access-date=28 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The [[BBC]] used the album in a documentary,<ref name="The Guardian" /> [[BBC Radio 1]] also played it<ref name="greenrom.fr" /> and was used in television programs such as [[Antenne 2]] or [[Récré A2]].{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=38-40}}

When interviewed in ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine, Motors' director Stanislas Witold said, "In a sense we're putting most of our bets on Jean-Michel Jarre. He is quite exceptional and we're sure that by 1980 he will be recognised worldwide."<ref name="kahn">{{cite magazine |title=Sees 25% Expansion |magazine=Billboard |date=9 April 1977 |page=50 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1977/Billboard%201977-04-09.pdf |access-date=28 October 2022 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref> In Dublin, Ireland, a phone-a-disk system was used, whereby a phone call played about two minutes of the album along with an advertising message.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=From The Music Capitals Of The World - Dublin |magazine=Billboard |date=10 September 1977 |page=95 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1977/Billboard%201977-09-10.pdf |access-date=30 October 2022}}</ref> On October 2, 1977, he was invited by host [[Jacques Martin (TV host)|Jacques Martin]] to an episode of his Sunday program ''L'orchestre d'Antenne 2'', in which the orchestra performed his single "Oxygene (Part IV)". Jarre also received nearly 25 [[Music recording certification|gold records]] worldwide. In the United States it sold over 100,000 copies in Los Angeles alone,{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=38-40}} and by the end of 1977, it sold 300,000 copies nationwide.<ref name="issue1977">{{cite magazine |title=Year-end Double Issue!|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1977/Billboard%201977-12-24.pdf |magazine=Billboard |pages=136–140 |date=24 December 1977 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref> 

Later, Francis created a label called Disques Dreyfus.{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=42}} ''[[Équinoxe]]'' was released in that label in 1978.<ref name="billboard1981" /> It continued with a "familiar style, exploring the emotive power of orchestrated electronic rhythms and melody."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of 70s Music |date=2002 |publisher=Virgin |isbn=978-1-85227-947-9 |page=192 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uWoZAQAAIAAJ |access-date=28 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In 1979, Jarre performed an open-air concert at the [[Place de la Concorde]], this event caused the sales of both albums to increase, each sold around 1.5 million copies in France and were certified platinum in 1981;<ref name="billboard1981" /> both sold 11 million worldwide in November 1979.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Anthonissen |first1=Juul |title=Ariola Adds Dreyfus For Benelux Market |magazine=Billboard |date=24 November 1979 |page=56 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AyUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=jean+michel+jarre+oxygene+mexico&pg=PT56 |access-date=17 October 2022 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> By 1981, the album had sold an estimated 15 million copies worldwide,<ref name="billboard1981" /> and by 2016 an estimated 18 million,<ref name="greenrom.fr" /> being one of the best-selling French,<ref>{{cite web |title=Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene :: Le Pietre Miliari di OndaRock |url=https://www.ondarock.it/pietremiliari/jeanmicheljarre_oxygene.htm |website=OndaRock |access-date=21 August 2022 |language=it |date=16 May 2010}}</ref> electronic and instrumental albums in history.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jean-Michel Jarre, Oxygène, une touche française |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/podcasts/musicopolis/jean-michel-jarre-oxygene-une-touche-francaise-2571994 |website=France Musique |access-date=26 October 2022 |language=fr |date=21 October 2022}}</ref>{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=38-40}}

==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
| rev1      = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic" />
| rev2      = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| rev2score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="mojo2015" />
| rev3      = ''[[Record Mirror]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="RM19770730" />
| rev4      = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite book |title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]] |edition=1st |year=1979}}</ref>
}}

Reaction to the album upon its release in the UK in 1977 was largely negative: the British music press, more interested in the developing UK [[punk rock|punk]] scene, was oriented towards guitar-based music and hostile to most electronic music. Angus MacKinnon of the ''[[NME]]'' described the album as "another interminable cosmic cruise. The German spacers ([[Tangerine Dream|[Tangerine] Dream]], [[Klaus Schulze|Schulze]] et al) mapped this part of the electronic galaxy aeons ago ... The album's [...] infuriatingly derivative. Explore its prime influences instead."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Angus |last=MacKinnon |title=Jean-Michel Jarre – ''Oxygène'' |magazine=[[NME]] |page=32 |date=27 August 1977}}</ref>

Considering the album as a French version of [[Mike Oldfield]]'s work, ''[[Music Week]]'' said: "Unfortunately, Jarre has produced a work that is ponderous in its self-conscious musicality – he definitely wears his art on his sleeve. Unlike Oldfield, he never stands back and laughs at his own creation. It is heavy throughout, and his influences continually jog the elbow – particularly the lugubrious touches of [[Gustav Mahler|Mahler]] and the almost continuous [[Johann Sebastian Bach|Bach]] underpinning." The magazine concluded by saying that "so some interest will be generated but the album is not really suited to our insular and musically antiintellectual Anglo-Saxon island."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Jean-Michel Jarre – ''Oxygène'' |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1977/Music-Week-1977-08-06.pdf |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=12 |date=6 August 1977 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref>

Karl Dallas of ''[[Melody Maker]]'' was kinder towards the album, saying that "the first time I heard this album I hated it ... It seemed so bland, so undemanding, so uneventful. I've got to admit it repays further listening, and that it is not quite the electronic [[elevator music|Muzak]] I had written it off as initially." He also stated that it "is not classical music" and that: "Though the track [referring to "Oxygène Part IV"] the discos are playing is, as you might expect, actually its least effective section musically, it has the same relationship to popular music as [[Tangerine Dream]], say, or Oldfield. Personally, it still does not impress me as much as either, except at a technical level. It seems to lack heart, the sense of passionate involvement in the act of music-making which makes [[Edgar Froese]]'s work almost a musical equivalent of a [[Jackson Pollock]] painting. It is almost too accomplished, too formally precise."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dallas |first=Karl |title=Jean-Michel Jarre – ''Oxygène'' |magazine=[[Melody Maker]] |page=22 |date=3 September 1977}}</ref> 

The most positive review came from Robin Smith of ''[[Record Mirror]]'', in which he stated that, "It's pretty tough to communicate warmth through such music and the end product is usually stilted but Jean Michael Jarre has laid down a variety of forms joined together by cohesive lines." He also described Jarre as a "French Mike Oldfield" by "possessing the same emotive powers." He concluded by saying side one "ends on ghost-like notes" while the side two "has a rushing opening like the breaking of a barrier."<ref name="RM19770730">{{cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Robin |title=Jean Michael Jarre: Oxygen |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/70s/77/Record-Mirror-1977-07-30.pdf |magazine=[[Record Mirror]] |page=14 |date=30 July 1977 |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref> ''[[Record World]]'' magazine commented that it is "an unusually melodic theme" that "is carried over both sides with all instruments played by Jarre himself".<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Hits Of The Week |date=17 September 1977 |magazine=[[Record World]] |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/77/RR-1977-09-17.pdf#search=%22jean%20michel%20jarre%20oxygene%20album%20review%22 |page=1 |access-date=11 September 2022 |format=pdf |via=WorldRadioHistory}}</ref> 

Retrospective reviews regard the album as a major work in the development of electronic music. Phil Alexander of ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' listed it as one of Jarre's three key albums and wrote that it was "his conscious attempt to unite the worlds of avant-garde, electronic, classical and progressive music." He said that its "dynamic, warm sound is intoxicating" and regarding "Oxygène (Part IV)", he finished saying it is "an unlikely UK Top 5 hit from what remains an elegant cornerstone of electronic music."<ref name="mojo2015" /> 

Jim Brenholts from [[AllMusic]] stated that it "is one of the original e-music albums" and that it "has withstood the test of time and the evolution of digital electronica." He also considered that "Jarre's compositional style and his rhythmic instincts were his strong points in 1976" and that "the innocence and freshness provide most of its charm. Jarre's techniques and ability provide the rest."<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Brenholts |title=Jean-Michel Jarre – ''Oxygène'' |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/oxygène-mw0000190343 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> The album was considered one of the most influential albums of 1976 by [[uDiscover Music]],<ref>{{cite web |author=uDiscover Team |title=The Most Influential Albums Of 1976 |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-1976-albums/ |website=[[uDiscover Music]] |access-date=12 September 2022 |date=12 July 2021}}</ref> and was included in the book ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''.<ref name="dimery975">{{cite book |editor-last=Dimery |editor-first=Robert |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |date=5 December 2011 |publisher=[[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell Illustrated]] |isbn=978-1-84403-714-8 |page=975 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PIyEkArSW0EC&dq=1001+Albums+You+Must+Hear+Before+You+Die+oxygene&pg=PT975 |access-date=25 September 2021}}</ref> "Oxygène (Part I)" was considered by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' writer Lars Brandle as one of the electronic chillout tunes from back in the day.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |title=And… Relax: 10 Electronic Chillout Tunes From Back in the Day |magazine=Billboard |date=2 April 2020 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/10-chillout-tunes-throwback-9348150/ |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!Publication
!Country
!Accolade
!Year
!Rank
|-
|FNAC
|France
|The Ideal Discography: 823 Indispensables Albums{{CN|date=December 2023}}
|2015
|style="text-align:center"|*
|-
|RoRoRo Rock-Lexicon
|Germany
|Most Recommended Albums{{CN|date=December 2023}}
|2003
|style="text-align:center"|*
|-
|Giannis Petridis
|Greece
|2004 of the Best Albums of the Century{{CN|date=December 2023}}
|2003
|style="text-align:center"|*
|-
|[[Yedioth Ahronoth]]
|Israel
|Top 99 Albums of All Time{{CN|date=December 2023}}
|1999
|style="text-align:center"|42
|-
|Panorama
|Norway
|The 30 Best Albums of the Year 1970-98{{CN|date=December 2023}}
|1999
|style="text-align:center"|10
|-
|Robert Dimery
|United Kingdom 
|''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Dimery |editor1-first=Robert |title=1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |date=2011 |publisher=Cassell Illustrated |page=367 |ol=26138487M}}</ref>
|2011
|style="text-align:center"|*
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt" | (*) designates lists that are unordered.
|}

==Legacy==
''Oxygène'' won the [[Grand Prix du Disque]] (English: Disc Grand Prize) award by [[L'Académie Charles Cros]],{{Sfn|Duguay|2018|p=38-40}} and American magazine ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' chose Jarre as the "Personality of the Year".<ref name="Hughesp303" /> A sequel, ''[[Oxygène 7–13]]'', was released two decades later in 1997.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Abecassis |first1=Michaël |last2=Block |first2=Marcelline |title=An Anthology of French and Francophone Singers from A to Z: "Singin' in French" |date=11 June 2018 |publisher=[[Cambridge Scholars Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-5275-1205-4 |page=333 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VJ9fDwAAQBAJ&dq=jarre+oxygene+7-13+1997&pg=PA333 |access-date=8 April 2022}}</ref>{{Sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=211}} In 2007, a new version of the original album titled ''[[Oxygène: New Master Recording]]'' was released,{{Sfn|Pezzi|2021|p=297–299}}<ref name="soundonsound" /> and in 2016 another sequel titled ''[[Oxygène 3]]'' was released on the 40th anniversary of ''Oxygène''.{{Sfn|Pezzi|2021|p=297–299}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Jean-Michel Jarre Announces 'Oxygene 3' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/jean-michel_jarre_announces_oxyg_ne_3 |access-date=19 September 2022 |work=[[Exclaim!]] |date=30 September 2016 |language=en-ca}}</ref> 

Welsh music writer [[Mark Jenkins (musician)|Mark Jenkins]] commented that the album "achieved a dynamic compromise between imaginative sound textures and accessible melodies that for one reason or another had been denied to earlier synthesizer artists".{{Sfn|Jenkins|2007|p=239}} The album has been used for music therapy, meditation and births.<ref name="greenrom.fr" /> Some of the music was used on the soundtracks of the 1978 film ''[[Snake in the Eagle's Shadow]]'' and the 1981 film ''[[Gallipoli (1981 film)|Gallipoli]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jean-Michel Jarre announces Oxygene 3 album |url=https://weraveyou.com/2016/10/jean-michel-jarre-announces-oxygene-3-album/ |website=We Rave You |access-date=9 October 2022 |date=1 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Taylor |first1=Michael |title=Renault Joins The EV Sound Wars, With 90s Icon Jean Michel Jarre |journal=Forbes |date=17 June 2022 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltaylor/2022/06/17/renault-joins-the-ev-sound-wars-with-90s-icon-jean-michel-jarre/?sh=3ca68fb37777 |access-date=1 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

''Oxygène'' has been described as "one of the biggest catalysts to widespread use of the synthesizer in the 1970s"<ref>{{cite web |title='I Dream of Wires' and the legacy of the Modular Synthesizer |url=https://www.hmv.com/music/i-dream-of-wires-and-the-legacy-of-the-modular-synthesizer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108012109/https://www.hmv.com/music/i-dream-of-wires-and-the-legacy-of-the-modular-synthesizer |archive-date=8 January 2014 |website=[[HMV]] |access-date=18 January 2022 |date=3 January 2014}}</ref> and influenced electronic artists like [[Moby]], who collaborated with Jarre on his 2015 album, ''[[Electronica 1: The Time Machine]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jean-Michel Jarre: I feel sorry for those who are scared about the future |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/jean-michel-jarre-interview-oxymore-b2205244.html |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Independent |date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019073111/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/jean-michel-jarre-interview-oxymore-b2205244.html |archive-date=19 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="kpcc" /> Brian Canham of Australian band [[Pseudo Echo]] said in ''[[Music Feeds]]'' that it was a "major influence on my production, song-writing and synthesizer programming with Pseudo Echo, and another of my projects, Origene, hence the homage in the namesake".<ref>{{cite web |last=Canham |first=Brian |title=Love Letter To A Record: Brian Canham On Jean-Michel Jarre's 'Oxygene' |work=Music Feeds |date=17 June 2021 |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/features/love-letter-to-a-record-brian-canham-on-jean-michel-jarres-oxygene/ |access-date=12 September 2022}}</ref>

==Track listing==
All tracks are composed by Jean-Michel Jarre.

'''Side one'''
#"Oxygène (Part I)" – 7:39
#"Oxygène (Part II)" – 7:49
#"Oxygène (Part III)" – 3:16

'''Side two'''
#"[[Oxygène (Part IV)]]" – 4:14
#"Oxygène (Part V)" – 10:23
#"Oxygène (Part VI)" – 6:20

==Personnel==
Personnel listed in the album's liner notes.<ref name="Oxygène booklet 2014" />
*[[Jean-Michel Jarre]] – production
*Jean-Pierre Janiaud – mixing engineer
*Patrick Foulon – mixing assistant
*[[Michel Granger]] – artwork
*[[David Bailey]] – back photography
*Dave Dadwater - digital remastering with Yakuda Audio (2014 remaster only)
*[[Charlotte Rampling]] - inner sleeve photo (2014 remaster only)

==Equipment==
Adapted from the liner notes of the 2014 remastered version.<ref name="Oxygène booklet 2014">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Oxygène |date=2014-04-25 |type=booklet |publisher=Disques Dreyfus/Sony Music |id=88843024682}}</ref>
*[[ARP 2600]]
*[[Eminent 310 Unique]] Organ
*[[EMS Synthi AKS]]
*[[EMS VCS 3]]
*[[Farfisa]] Professional Organ
*[[Korg Mini Pops|Korg Mini-Pops 7]]
*[[RMI Harmonic Synthesizer]]
*Geiss Rhytmi-computer
*[[Mellotron]]

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style=text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for ''Oxygène''
! Chart (1977)
! Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="auchart">{{Cite book |title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=[[St Ives, New South Wales]] |page=153 |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
| align="center"| 29
|-
{{album chart|Austria|10|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Canada|65|artist=Jean-Michel Jarre|album=Oxygène|chartid=8275b|rowheader=true|access-date=18 February 2019}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|4|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2014}}
|-
! scope="row"|Finnish Charts ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Soumen virallinen albumilista]])<ref>{{cite book | first= Timo | last= Pennanen | year= 2006 | title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 | edition= 1st | publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava | location= Helsinki | isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 | page= 168 | language= Finnish }}</ref>
| align="center"| 12
|-
! scope="row"|French Albums ([[SNEP]])<ref name="billboard86">{{cite magazine |title=Hits Of The World |date=24 September 1977 |magazine=Billboard |page=86 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1977/Billboard%201977-09-24.pdf |via=WorldRadioHistory |access-date=23 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
| align="center"|1
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|8|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|id=5416|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row" | Italian Albums (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite book|last=Racca|first=Guido|title=M&D Borsa Album 1964–2019|language=it|date=2019|isbn=9781094705002}}</ref>
| align="center" | 15
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|3|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|9|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2014}}
|-
! scope="row" | Spanish Albums ([[Productores de Música de España|PROMUSICAE]])<ref name="issue1977" />
| align="center" | 4
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|3|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2014}}
|-
{{album chart|UK|2|artist=Jean-Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=19 September 2022|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/Jean-Michel%20Jarre/|work=[[UK Albums Chart]]|refname=uk}}
|-
! scope="row" | US ''[[Billboard 200]]''<ref name="billboard80">{{cite magazine |title=Top LPs & Tape |date=3 December 1977 |magazine=Billboard |page=80 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QkUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=billboard+200+jean+michel+jarre+oxygene+78&pg=RA1-PA80 |access-date=19 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
| align="center" | 78
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style=text-align:center"
! Chart (2005)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Poland|36|id=274|artist=Jean-Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=26 September 2022}}
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style=text-align:center"
! Chart (2015)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|France|146|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=27 August 2022}}
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style=text-align:center"
! Chart (2019)
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|85|artist=Jean Michel Jarre|album=Oxygene|rowheader=true|access-date=27 August 2022}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+1977 year-end chart performance for ''Oxygène''
! scope="col" | Chart (1977)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row" | Dutch Albums (Dutch Top 100)<ref>{{cite web |title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1977 |url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1977&cat=a |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=28 May 2022}}</ref>
| 38
|-
! scope="row" | UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine |date=24 December 1977 |title=Top Albums 1977 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1977/Music-Week-1977-12-24.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=[[Music Week]] |page=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309080814/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1977/Music-Week-1977-12-24.pdf |archive-date=9 March 2021 |via=WorldRadioHistory |access-date=30 November 2021}}</ref>
| 20
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications and sales==
{{Certification Table Top |caption=Certifications and sales for ''Oxygène''}}
{{Certification Table Entry |type=album |region=Australia |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |award=Platinum |relyear=1977 |certyear=1982 |certref=<ref>{{cite web |title= Platinum and Gold Singles 1982 |publisher=[[Kent Music Report]] |issue=453 |via=[[Imgur]] |date=28 February 1983 |access-date=10 November 2021 |url=https://i.imgur.com/totLqGG.jpg}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Belgium |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |nocert=true |relyear=1977 |salesamount=25,000|salesref=<ref name="jarrearoundtheworld" />|access-date=20 September 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Canada |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |award=Platinum |relyear=1977 |certyear=1985}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=France |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |award=Platinum |salesamount=1,500,000 |relyear=1977 |certyear=1981| certref=<ref name="billboard1981">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1981/BB-1981-01-31.pdf |title=Dreyfus Philosophy |magazine=Billboard |via=World Radio History |pages=41–54 |date=31 January 1981 |access-date=18 September 2022}}</ref>|salesref=<ref name="billboard1981" />}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Germany |type=album |artist=Jean Michel Jarre |title=Oxygene |award=Gold |relyear=1977 |certyear=1980}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Japan |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |nocert=true |relyear=1977 |salesamount=32,000|salesref=<ref name="jarrearoundtheworld" />|access-date=20 September 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Netherlands |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |nocert=true |relyear=1979 |salesamount=50,000|salesref=<ref name="jarrearoundtheworld">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0UEAAAAMBAJ&dq=jarre+france+oxygene+billboard&pg=RA1-PA32-IA1|title=Jarre Around the World|magazine=Billboard|via=Google Books|page=32|date=13 March 1982|accessdate=24 May 2021}}</ref>|access-date=20 September 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Poland |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |award=Gold |relyear=1977 |certyear=2017 |access-date=13 December 2017}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène|nocert=true|relyear=1977|salesamount=60,000|salesref=<ref name="jarrearoundtheworld" />}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=United Kingdom |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |award=Platinum |relyear=1977 |certyear=1980 |id=4971-622-2|access-date=18 September 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène|nocert=true|relyear=1977|salesamount=300,000|salesref=<ref name="issue1977" />}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Worldwide |type=album |artist=Jean-Michel Jarre |title=Oxygène |nocert=true |salesamount=15,000,000 |relyear=1977 |certyear=1981 |access-date=21 September 2022 |salesref=<ref name="billboard1981" />}}
{{Certification Table Bottom |streaming=true|nosales=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Citation |last=Pezzi |first=Davide |title=Quello che le canzoni non dicono: Storie e segreti dietro alle nostre canzoni del cuore |date=17 May 2021 |publisher=Youcanprint |isbn=979-12-203-3446-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CgvEAAAQBAJ |access-date=26 September 2022 |language=it}}
* {{Citation | last = Rachele | first = Sal | title = Life on the Cutting Edge | year = 1994 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pEGq2sM9poUC | publisher = Light Technology Publishing| isbn = 096-405-350-0}}
* {{Citation | last = Duguay | first = Michael | title = Jean Michel Jarre | year = 2018 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=JJB5DwAAQBAJ | publisher = Books on Demand | isbn = 978-284-993-324-4}}
* {{Citation | last = Jarre | first = Jean-Michael | title = Mélancolique Rodéo | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=UACtDwAAQBAJ | year = 2019 | publisher = [[Robert Laffont]] | isbn = 978-222-124-618-4 }}
* {{Citation | last = Remilleux | first = Jean-Louis | title = Jean-Michel Jarre | publisher = Futura Publications Ltd. | edition = English | year = 1988 | isbn = 0-7088-4263-1}}
* {{Citation | last1 = Hughes | first1 = Alex | last2 = Reader | first2 = Keith | title = Encyclopedia of contemporary French culture | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=getDruRAaqgC | publisher = CRC Press | year = 2003 | isbn = 0-203-00330-6}}
* {{Citation | last = Jenkins | first = Mark | author-link=Mark Jenkins (musician) |title = Analog synthesizers | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=c3EHIpo0DKwC | publisher = Elsevier | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-0-240-52072-8 }}

==External links==
{{Discogs master|43980|Oxygène}}

{{Jean-Michel Jarre}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oxygene}}
[[Category:1976 albums]]
[[Category:Disques Dreyfus albums]]
[[Category:Polydor Records albums]]
[[Category:Jean-Michel Jarre albums]]
[[Category:Ambient albums by French artists]]
[[Category:Electronic albums by French artists]]
[[Category:Electropop albums]]
[[Category:Space music albums by French artists]]
[[Category:Synth-pop albums by French artists]]
[[Category:New-age albums by French artists]]
[[Category:Albums recorded in a home studio]]