The other two were the French

She, which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1974 and was covered by Elvis Costello for the soundtrack of the romantic comedy Notting Hill, was one of the songs Aznavour performed at the Shanghai charity ball.

The other two were the French tune La Boheme and Yesterday When I Was Young, which was sung by Roy Clark and entered the US Billboard's Top 40 in 1969.

"Usually the (song) choice is mine, but I've never been here, so " Aznavour says, trailing off.

He has written some 1,000 songs and sold a million records in a career that has spanned seven decades.

And he has worked with some of the music industry's biggest names, including Celine Dione, Bob Dylan, Josh Groban, Elton John and Frank Sinatra. In 1998, a CNN poll named him "entertainer of the century".

Now, as a diplomat, he says his music helps open doors for Armenia.

Born to Armenian immigrants in Paris in 1924, Aznavour battled harsh criticism to establish a solo singing career from age 19.

"They said my songs were not good. My voice was terrible. Physically, I was not the type of man to be able to become a star," he says, referring to his small stature.