Birkin was born to David Birkin and Judy Campbell, an actress in Noel Coward musicals. Her great aunt was Freda Dudley Ward, a mistress of Edward VIII while he was Prince of Wales.
Birkin emerged in the swinging '60s in London, starring as one of the models in the controversial film Blowup in 1966.
In 1968, Birkin went to France to audition for the lead female role in Slogan. Though she did not speak French, she got the role.
In 1969, she and Serge Gainsbourg released the song "Je t'aime... moi non plus" ("I love you... me neither"), written by Gainsbourg and featuring both of them singing, which caused a scandal for its sexual explicitness. Arguably due in part to the publicity it got from being banned by radio stations in Italy, Sweden, Spain, and the UK, it was a commercial success all over Europe. The song's fame is a result of its salacious lyrics (sung in French) against a background of female moaning and groaning, culminating in an orgasm at the song's conclusion (which some claim to be the result of Jane and Serge actually engaging in sex during the recording of the song).
Birkin took a short break from her acting career in 1971-72, but returned as Brigitte Bardot's lover in Don Juan (or if Don Juan were a woman) in 1973.
In 1975, she appeared in Gainsbourg's first film, also titled Je t'aime... moi non plus, which created quite a stir for its frank examination of sexual ambiguity. For this performance she was nominated for a Best Actress César Award.
Birkin has starred in the Agatha Christie films Death on the Nile and Evil Under the Sun, and recorded several albums, including Baby Alone in Babylone, Amours des Feintes, Lolita Go Home and Rendez-vous. She has obtained in the category Female Artist of the year in France the Victoires de la Musique award in 1992 .
She starred in two films by Jacques Doillon — as Anne in La fille prodigue (1981) and as Alma in La pirate (1984, nominated for a César Award). This work led to an invitation from Patrice Chéreau to star on stage in La Fausse suivante by Marivaux at Nanterre. After this, she also began to appear frequently on stage in plays and concerts (in France, Japan, the UK and then the US).
Jacques Rivette collaborated with her for Love on the Ground (1983) and La belle noiseuse (1991, Nominated Césars best supporting actress). Additionally, she appeared in Merchant Ivory's A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries (1998, also used her song "Di Doo Dah") and Merci Docteur Rey (2002), while Le Divorce's end title song featured her singing "L'Anamour", composed by Serge Gainsbourg.
In 2006, she played Elektra, directed by Philippe Calvario in France.
Jane Birkin's humanitarian interests led her to work with Amnesty International, on immigrant welfare and AIDS issues. Birkin has also visited Bosnia, Rwanda. and Palestinian Territories, often working with children. She has been awarded an OBE for her services to acting, as well as the Ordre National du Mérite in France.
She made musical collaborations and duets with artists such as Feist, Beth Gibbons from Portishead, Bryan Ferry, Brian Molko from Placebo, Franz Ferdinand, Manu Chao, Brett Anderson from Suede, Mickey (3d), Françoise Hardy, Cali, The Divine Comedy, The Magic Numbers, Paolo Conte, Beck, Rufus Wainwright, Yann Tiersen, Alain Souchon, Les Negresses Vertes, Johnny Marr from The Smiths, Zazie, MC Solaar, Yosui Inoue, Étienne Daho, Alain Chamfort, Jimmy Rowles, Goran Bregović, Sonny Landreth, The Soundtrack of Our Lives and many others.
Birkin recorded the song "Beauty" on French producer Hector Zazou's 2003 album Strong Currents.
She is noted as being the inspiration for fashion house Hermès' popular Birkin Bag after the actress was seen struggling with several bags while boarding an aeroplane.
Her image features on the cover art of Have You Fed the Fish? by singer-songwriter Badly Drawn Boy (which features her daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg on backing vocals).
Despite decades of residence in France and the ability to speak French fluently, Birkin still retains a strong English accent and makes grammatical mistakes when speaking French.
Personal Life :
She was married from 1965 until 1968 to John Barry, an English composer who wrote the musical score to the James Bond movies. Their daughter, the photographer Kate Barry, was born in 1968.
Muse of Gainsbourg :
She had a very passionate and creative relationship with her mentor Serge Gainsbourg — they met on the set of Slogan and married in 1968. They separated in 1980. Their daughter is actress Charlotte Gainsbourg.
In 1982 she gave birth to her third daughter, Lou Doillon, from her relationship with the director Jacques Doillon.
La Cible Qui Bouge
Jane Birkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Qui passe au rouge
Je danse seule
Juste pour le plaisir de danser
Je remue des hanches
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
Sur l'bas d'mon dos
Le regard des hommes est braqué
J'aime les coins un peu sordides
J'aime les bouges
J'aime les zincs
J'aime les bistrots enfumés
Je remue des hanches
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
Je prends un malin plaisir à les allumer
J'marche au coca
Tandis qu'les autres marchent au rouge
Au bout d'une plombe
Ils se mettent tous à tituber
Je remue des hanches
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
Et c'est pas rare
Que ça finisse par bagarrer
Près du flipper qui passe au vert
Qui passe au rouge
Je danse seule
Juste pour le plaisir de danser
Je remue des hanches
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
Salut les mecs, vendredi soir je reviendrai
The song "La Cible Qui Bouge" by Jane Birkin is a playful and flirtatious reflection on the power dynamics between men and women in a social setting. The lyrics talk about the singer dancing alone near a pinball machine that alternates between green and red lights. This represents the various signals and attention she receives from men. Dancing alone is an act of liberation, done simply for the joy of dancing and expressing oneself freely.
As she moves her hips, she becomes like a moving target, drawing the gaze of men. The line "Sur l'bas d'mon dos, Le regard des hommes est braqué" suggests that the men's attention is fixated on her backside, objectifying her. Despite this objectification, she takes pleasure in teasing and arousing their desire. She enjoys the slightly seedy corners, bars, and smoky bistros, places that are often associated with hidden desires and intimate encounters.
The lyrics also touch upon the theme of independence and rebellion. While others may conform to societal norms and "march au rouge," meaning following the rules, she chooses to go against the grain by marching to her own beat, represented by "j'marche au coca." This implies that she is not constrained by societal expectations or judgments. While others become intoxicated and lose control, she remains in control of her actions and desires.
Despite the playful and sensual tone of the song, there is an underlying sense of danger and aggression. The line "Et c'est pas rare, Que ça finisse par bagarrer" suggests that her provocative behavior might sometimes lead to fights or conflicts. This could reflect the consequences of breaking social norms or the reactions of jealous men who feel challenged or rejected.
In the final lines, she addresses the "guys" she encounters, saying that she will come back on Friday night. This indicates that she is confident and unapologetic in her choices, ready to continue dancing, teasing, and enjoying herself.
Overall, "La Cible Qui Bouge" explores themes of autonomy, liberation, and the dynamics of power and desire in social interactions. Jane Birkin's interpretation captures the essence of a woman who embraces her own agency and challenges traditional expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Près du flipper qui passe au vert
Next to the pinball machine that turns green
Qui passe au rouge
That then turns red
Je danse seule
I dance alone
Juste pour le plaisir de danser
Just for the pleasure of dancing
Je remue des hanches
I sway my hips
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
It's like a moving target
Sur l'bas d'mon dos
On the lower part of my back
Le regard des hommes est braqué
The gaze of men is fixed
J'aime les coins un peu sordides
I like slightly seedy places
J'aime les bouges
I like dives
J'aime les zincs
I like zinc bars
J'aime les bistrots enfumés
I like smoky bistros
Je remue des hanches
I sway my hips
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
It's like a moving target
Je prends un malin plaisir à les allumer
I take a devious pleasure in teasing them
J'marche au coca
I walk on Coca-Cola
Tandis qu'les autres marchent au rouge
While others walk on red
Au bout d'une plombe
After an hour
Ils se mettent tous à tituber
They all start to stagger
Je remue des hanches
I sway my hips
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
It's like a moving target
Et c'est pas rare
And it's not rare
Que ça finisse par bagarrer
For it to end up in a fight
Près du flipper qui passe au vert
Next to the pinball machine that turns green
Qui passe au rouge
That then turns red
Je danse seule
I dance alone
Juste pour le plaisir de danser
Just for the pleasure of dancing
Je remue des hanches
I sway my hips
C'est comme une cible qui bouge
It's like a moving target
Salut les mecs, vendredi soir je reviendrai
Hey guys, I'll be back Friday night
Lyrics © MELODY NELSON PUBLISHING
Written by: Jean-Claude Vannier, Serge Gainsbourg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind