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.
Les Capotes Anglaises
Jane Birkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Ça fait des jolis ballons
J'en ai lancé treize
De mon balcon
Cellophane de supermarché
Peaux diaphanes, qui, selon
Le vent de l'été
Volent ou non
Je souffle dans les capotes anglaises
Et j'en fais des ballons sonde
Mais j'vous mets à l'aise
En deux secondes
Je ne les prends que pour ça
Pour faire des ballons-saucisse
Des aérostats
Rien d'autre, non
Je souffle dans les capotes anglaises
Zeppelin explorateur
Ça crée un malaise
C'est pas sérieux
Satellites artificiels
Montez vite jusqu'à Orient
Allez dans le ciel
Faire les cons
In the song "Les Capotes Anglaises" by Jane Birkin, the lyrics convey a whimsical and playful tone as the singer describes blowing up English condoms to create balloons. Through this metaphorical imagery, the song explores themes of lightness, innocence, and rebellion against societal norms. The act of turning condoms into balloons symbolizes a sense of childlike wonder and creativity, as the singer enjoys the simple pleasure of watching the balloons float away into the sky.
The line "Je souffle dans les capotes anglaises, ça fait des jolis ballons" ("I blow into English condoms, it makes pretty balloons") captures the carefree and carelessly joyful nature of the singer's actions. The use of condoms as a medium for creating balloons adds an element of subversion, as it challenges the conventional purpose of these objects and transforms them into something beautiful and unexpected. The repetition of this imagery throughout the song reinforces the sense of playfulness and experimentation that the singer is engaging in.
As the lyrics progress, the singer reflects on the act of releasing these condom balloons into the world, describing how they float in the summer breeze and create a sense of ethereal beauty. The imagery of "peaux diaphanes" (translucent skins) and the juxtaposition of the supermarket cellophane with the lightness of the balloons evoke a sense of fragility and impermanence, highlighting the fleeting nature of the moment and the temporary escape from reality that the balloons provide.
Ultimately, the song's lyrics suggest a deeper underlying message about the power of imagination and the ability to find joy and freedom in unexpected places. By reclaiming an everyday object and infusing it with whimsy and symbolism, the singer invites listeners to embrace their playful side and challenge societal expectations. "Les Capotes Anglaises" celebrates the transformative power of creativity and the ability to find beauty and wonder in the most unlikely of places.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Serge Gainsbourg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind