Serge Gainsbourg
Serge Gainsbourg, born Lucien Ginsburg, (April 2, 1928 - March 2, 1991) was a poet and singer.He was born in Paris, France the son of Jewish Russian parents. He had one daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg, from his marriage to Jane Birkin.
His early songs were influenced by Boris Vian. However, Gainsbourg wanted to break free from old-fashioned chanson and explore new musical grounds, influenced by British and American pop. During his career, he wrote the soundtracks for more than 40 movies.
His most famous song, Je t'aime ... moi non plus, was vocally very erotic. Originally recorded with Brigitte Bardot, it was released with a different female singer, future wife Jane Birkin, when Bardot backed out. Considered too "hot", the song was censored in various countries and in France even the toned-down version was suppressed.
In 1975, he released the album Rock Around the Bunker.
In 1978 he recorded a reggae version of "La Marseillaise", "Aux Armes et cetera", with Bob Marley's band in Jamaica, which resulted in him getting death threats from right wing veterans of the Algerian War of Independence.
Serge Gainsbourg died on March 2, 1991 and was buried in the Cimetiere de Montparnasse,in Paris.
Brief notes:
- "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" for the Eurovision Song Contest.
- "les Sucettes", and France Gall's horror as discovering the real meaning of the lyrics.
- daughter Charlotte, and the controversial video for "Lemon Incest"
- controversy surrounding "Je t'aime Moi non plus"
- Bob Marley was furious when he discovered he made Rita Marley sing erotic lyrics.
- towards the end of his life, Gainsbourg used to show up drunk and unshaven on stage
- once he burned a 500 French Franc bill on TV to protest heavy taxation
- "Aux armes etc..."
- "Poupée de cire, poupée de son"
- "les Sucettes"
- "Lemon Incest"
- "Aux armes etc..."
- "Je t'aime Moi non plus"
- "Bonnie and Clyde"
- "Couleur Café"
External link
- Official website: http://www.sergegainsbourg.com.fr/
- Good fan site: http://www.gainsbourg.net/
