The duo Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg is best known for the internationa… Read Full Bio ↴The duo Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg is best known for the international smash "Je t'aime... moi non plus" from 1969. This erotic song was the first foreign language record to hit #1in the UK.
The song was banned by broadcasters in Spain, Sweden, Brazil as well as Britain and was condemned across the world as immoral, not least by the Vatican. It was so saucy that original co-vocalist Brigitte Bardot refused to approve its release. Scandalous singer Serge Gainsbourg soon found a 'willing partner' in British Jane Birkin.

Manon
Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Manon
Manon
Non tu ne sais sur'ment pas Manon
A quel point je hais
Ce que tu es
Sinon
Manon
Je t'aurais déjà perdue Manon

Perverse Manon
Perfide Manon
Il me faut t'aimer avec un autre
Je le sais Manon
Cruelle Manon
Manon
Manon
Non tu ne sauras jamais Manon
A quel point je hais
Ce que tu es

Au fond
Manon

Je dois avoir perdu la raison
Je t'aime Manon

Overall Meaning

The song "Manon" by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg is an emotional ballad about a toxic relationship between two lovers, with the singer addressing his partner, Manon. The singer of the song expresses hatred towards Manon and the traits that she embodies, possibly suggesting that she is cruel, perverse and perfidious. Despite these negative qualities, the singer admits that he is unable to let go of her and continues to love her, even though he knows that he ought to let go.

The song is a powerful commentary on the complexity of love and relationships. The singer is undeniably torn between his feelings of love and his deep-seated hatred towards Manon. Even though he recognizes that she is a harmful presence in his life, he cannot help but remain attached to her. The final line, "Je dois avoir perdu la raison / Je t'aime Manon" (I must have lost my mind / I love you, Manon), suggests that the singer is confused and struggling to make sense of his emotions. He has reached a point where love and hate become intertwined, making it difficult for him to make rational decisions.

Overall, "Manon" is a unique and thought-provoking song that delves into the complexities of human emotion. It explores the shades of grey that exist between love and hate and how difficult it can be to untangle one's feelings in a toxic relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

Manon
Repetition of the name

Non tu ne sais sur'ment pas Manon
You definitely don't know, Manon

A quel point je hais
How much I detest

Ce que tu es
What you are

Sinon
Otherwise

Manon
Repetition of the name

Je t'aurais déjà perdue Manon
I would have lost you already, Manon

Perverse Manon
Devious Manon

Perfide Manon
Treacherous Manon

Il me faut t'aimer avec un autre
I have to love you with someone else

Je le sais Manon
I know it, Manon