là-bas c'est naturel
Serge Gainsbourg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Là-bas Au Ke-
nya
Pour tous les naturels
C'est O.K.
Chacune
Est en deux pièces moins une
Chacun dans ce noir paradis
En monokini
Si nous allons un jour
Là-bas Au Ke-
nya
Je te dirai alors
C'est O.K.
Aucune
Pudeur aucun souci
Tu te cacheras si tu veux
Derrière tes cheveux
Mais si nous n'allons pas
Là-bas Au Ke-
nya
Je te dirai quand même
C'est O.K.
Rien qu'une
Petite pièce moins l'autre
Et pour l'amour en moins de deux
En deux pièces moins deux
The lyrics to Serge Gainsbourg's song "Là-bas c'est naturel" talk about the natural way of living in certain parts of the world, specifically in Kenya. The song describes how in Kenya, being in just two pieces of clothing is acceptable, referring to the "monokini" - a one-piece swimsuit with cutouts. Gainsbourg notes that if they were to go to Kenya, then it would be ok for them to embrace this style of living, but if they don't go, then it's still acceptable. He suggests that there is no shame or inhibition in this way of life, and one can even hide behind their hair if they feel the need to. The final verse of the song talks about how even if they don't go to Kenya, they can love in two pieces less two, meaning that even if they are not physically there, they can still embrace this lifestyle.
The song has been interpreted in different ways over the years since its release in 1969. Some see it as a celebration of a natural way of living, while others view it as objectifying women. Gainsbourg was known for his controversial and provocative performances, and this song is no exception. The song and its suggestive lyrics were banned in Canada and some radio stations refused to play it in France.
Line by Line Meaning
Là-bas c'est naturel
Naturalism is the way of life there
Là-bas Au Ke- nya
Specifically, in Kenya
Pour tous les naturels
For all who follow this way of life
C'est O.K.
It is accepted and embraced
Chacune
Every woman
Est en deux pièces moins une
Is wearing two pieces of clothing, except for one
Chacun dans ce noir paradis
Everyone, in this dark paradise
En monokini
Is wearing a monokini
Si nous allons un jour
If we were to go one day
Là-bas Au Ke- nya
Specifically, in Kenya
Je te dirai alors
I would tell you then
C'est O.K.
That it is accepted and embraced
Aucune
No
Pudeur aucun souci
Need to be modest or have any worries
Tu te cacheras si tu veux
You can hide if you want to
Derrière tes cheveux
Behind your hair
Mais si nous n'allons pas
But if we don't go
Là-bas Au Ke- nya
Specifically, in Kenya
Je te dirai quand même
I would still tell you
C'est O.K.
That it is accepted and embraced
Rien qu'une
Just one
Petite pièce moins l'autre
Small piece of clothing, missing the other
Et pour l'amour en moins de deux
And love can even happen with less than two pieces of clothing
En deux pièces moins deux
Only wearing two pieces of clothing, but missing two more
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Elian
on Ford Mustang
We're swapping spits / We're snorting lines [double entendre] (On s' fait des "lines")
In a Ford Mustang
And then, "Bang"
We're banging in [triple entendre]
To the plane trees / And then, "Bang," we're getting high ("embrasser les platanes = planer" [ French] (=to get high)
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
And to the left, to the right
A windshield wiper
A pack of Kool
A badge with the inscription
"Keep Cool"
A bar of
Chocolate
A Coca-Cola
We're swapping spits / We're snorting lines
In a Ford Mustang
And then, "Bang"
We're banging in
To the plane trees
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
And to the left, to the right
A bottle
Of make-up fluid
A flashgun
A Browning (automatic pistol)
A phonograph
A volume
Of Edgar A. Poe
And a plain brass ZIPPO
We're swapping spits / We're snorting lines
In a Ford Mustang
And then, "Bang"
We're banging in
To the plane trees
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
And to the left, to the right
An edition
Of Superman
A nut from
Paco
Rabanne
A pic of
Marilyn
A tube of aspirin
We're swapping spits / We're snorting lines
In a Ford Mustang
And then, "Bang"
We're banging in
To the plane trees
"Mus" to the left
"Tang" to the right
And to the left, to the right