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.
Pour un flirt avec toi
Jane Birkin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of "Pour un Flirt Avec Toi" by Jane Birkin revolve around the idea of how far someone would go just to have a one-night stand with the person they are talking to. The singer expresses the desire to engage in brief moments of passion with the subject of the song, using phrases like "Pour un simple rendez-vous" and "Pour un petit tour, un petit jour, entre tes bras." She would do anything, even quit things that she cares about, just to experience a night with this person. The song's flirtatious and seductive theme is further emphasized with lyrics like "Je ferais l'amoureux" and "Pour te câliner un peu."
The song has a certain melancholy tone that could be interpreted as a desperate plea for intimacy from someone who is lonely. The singer wants to experience passion for the sake of feeling alive, even if just for a night. The lyrics make it clear that the singer doesn't expect anything more from the person they're addressing than a fleeting affair, but also that they would be willing to risk everything just for the chance to be with them.
Overall, "Pour un Flirt Avec Toi" is a seductive and melancholic song about passion and the lengths some people will go to experience it.
Line by Line Meaning
Pour un flirt avec toi
I am willing to do almost anything just for a chance to flirt with you.
Je ferais n'importe quoi
I am ready to do anything.
Je serais prêt à tout
I am willing to do everything.
Pour un simple rendez-vous
All I want is a date with you.
Pour un petit tour, un petit jour
Just a quick fling, for a little while.
Entre tes bras
Wrapped in your arms.
Pour un petit tour, au petit jour
A quick fling, in the early morning.
Entre tes draps
Between your sheets.
Je pourrais tout quitter
I am willing to abandon everything else in my life.
Quitte à faire démodé
Even if it means going out of fashion or style.
Je pourrais me damner
I am willing to damn myself for you.
Pour un seul baiser volé
Just one stolen kiss would be enough for me.
Je ferais l'amoureux
I will act like a passionate lover.
Pour te câliner un peu
To just hold you in my arms.
Je ferais des folies
I will do crazy things for you.
Pour arriver dans ton lit
To end up in your bed.
Contributed by Harper L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.