He was born Lucien Ginzburg in Paris, France, the son of Jewish Russian parents who fled to France after the 1917 Bolshevik uprising. His childhood was profoundly affected by the occupation of France by Nazi Germany, during which he and his family, as Jews, were forced to wear the yellow star and eventually flee from Paris. He had a daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg, with English singer and actress Jane Birkin; and a son, Lulu, with his last partner, Bambou (Caroline Von Paulus, who is related to Friedrich Paulus). Before he was 30 years old, Lucien Ginsburg was a disillusioned painter but earned his living as a piano player in bars. Daughter Charlotte would later become an actress and singer.
His early songs were influenced by Boris Vian and were largely in the vein of "old-fashioned" chanson. Very early, however, Gainsbourg began to move beyond this and experiment with a succession of different musical styles: jazz early on, English pop in the 60's, reggae in the 70's, even hip-hop in the 80's.
Success began to arrive when, in 1965, his song "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" was the Luxembourg entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. Performed by French teen singer France Gall, it won the grand prize. (The song was covered in English as "A Lonely Singing Doll" by British teen idol Twinkle.) He arranged other Gall songs and LPs that were characteristic of the late 1960s psychedelic styles, among them Gall's '1968' album. Another of Serge's songs "Boum Bada Boum" was entered in by Monaco in the 1967 contest, sung by Minouche Barelli; It came 5th.
In 1969, he released what would become his most famous song in the English-speaking world, "Je t'aime... moi non plus", which featured simulated sounds of female orgasm. The song appeared that year on an LP, "Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg". Originally recorded with Brigitte Bardot, it was released with future girlfriend Birkin when Bardot backed out. While Gainsbourg declared it the "ultimate love song," it was considered too "hot"; the song was censored in various countries, and in France, even the toned-down version was suppressed. Even the Vatican made a public statement citing the song as offensive. Its notoriety led it to reaching no. 1 in the UK singles chart. A long-standing rumor maintains that Gainsbourg and Birkin were actually having sex during the recording session (asked about it in an interview, Gainsbourg answered that if this was true, the song would have lasted longer than 4 minutes).
The seventies
His most influential work came near the start of the seventies with Histoire de Melody Nelson, released in 1971. This concept album, produced and arranged by Jean-Claude Vannier, tells the story of a Lolita-esque affair, with Gainsbourg as the narrator and Jane Birkin as the eponymous English heroine. It features prominent string arrangements and even a massed choir at its tragic climax. At the time, sales were poor, but the album has proven influential with artists such as Air, David Holmes and Beck.
In 1975, he released the album Rock Around the Bunker, a rock album written entirely on the subject of the Nazis. Gainsbourg used black humour, as he and his family suffered during World War II. While a child in Paris, Gainsbourg himself had worn the Yellow badge as the mark of a Jew.
The next year saw the release of another major work, L'Homme à la Tête de Chou (Cabbage-Head Man), featuring the new character Marilou and sumptuous orchestral themes.
In Jamaica in 1978 he recorded "Aux Armes et cetera," a reggae version of the French national anthem "La Marseillaise", with Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar and Rita Marley. This song earned him death threats from right-wing veterans of the Algerian War of Independence who were opposed to certain lyrics. Shortly afterwards, Gainsbourg bought the original manuscript of La Marseillaise. He was able to reply to his critics that his version was, in fact, closer to the original as the manuscript clearly shows the words "Aux armes et cætera..." for the chorus.
The next year saw him in the new look of Gainsbarre, officially introduced in the song "Ecce Homo."
Final years
In the 1980's, approaching the end of his life, Gainsbourg became a regular figure on French TV. His appearances seemed devoted to his controversial sense of humour and provocation. He would frequently show up drunk and unshaven on stage. Perhaps his most famous incident came when, on Michel Drucker's live Saturday evening show with the American singer Whitney Houston, he exclaimed, "I want to fuck her."
During this period he released Love On The Beat and his last studio album, You're Under Arrest, (which saw him adapt his style to the hip-hop genre), as well as two live recordings. His third and last Eurovision Song Contest entry came in 1990 with the French entry "White and Black Blues", sung by Joëlle Ursull. It came second in a tie with Ireland. His songs became increasingly eccentric in this period, ranging from the anti-drug "Les Enfants de la Chance" to the duet with his daughter Charlotte called "Lemon Incest (Un zeste de citron)." The title of the latter demonstrates Gainsbourg's love of puns (another example is "Bowie, Beau oui comme Bowie").
Discography :
1958 : Du Chant À La Une !
1959 : Serge Gainsbourg N°2
1961 : L'étonnant Serge Gainsbourg
1962 : Serge Gainsbourg N° 4
1963 : Gainsbourg Confidentiel
1964 : Gainsbourg Percussions
1968 : Initials B.B.
1968 : Bonnie And Clyde ( with Brigitte Bardot )
1969 : Jane Birkin-Serge Gainsbourg
1971 : Histoire de Melody Nelson ( with Jane Birkin )
1973 : Vu de l'extérieur
1975 : Rock around the bunker
1976 : L'Homme à tête de chou
1979 : Aux armes et cætera
1981 : Mauvaises Nouvelles Des Étoiles
1984 : Love on the Beat
1987 : You're Under Arrest
69 Année érotique
Serge Gainsbourg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ont pris le ferry-boat
De leur lit par le hublot
Ils regardent la côte
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Ils vaincront les maléfices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf
Année érotique
Soixante-neuf
Année érotique
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Vont rejoindre Paris
Ils ont laissé derrière eux
La Tamise et Chelsea
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Et que les dieux les bénissent
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf
Année érotique
Soixante-neuf
Année érotique
Qu'ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Qui pardonnera ces caprices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf
Année érotique
Soixante-neuf
Année érotique
The lyrics of Serge Gainsbourg's song "69 année érotique" depict a journey of self-discovery, eroticism, and unbridled passion between the artist himself and a mysterious figure, referred to as "Gainsborough." The two lovers embark on a ferry-boat, gazing out of their bed's porthole at the coast as they traverse the sea, consumed by their deep love for one another. The journey is one that lasts an entire year, and the two vow to overcome the trials and tribulations that they face, defeating all evil in their path as they make their way to the year seventy.
The song's title is a nod to the infamous sexual position, the 69, which touches upon the song's eroticism and sexual themes. The lyrics are symbolic of the liberation of love, self-expression, and indulgence that emerged during the era of the late 60s and early 70s. The reference to "Gainsborough" could represent the artist's alter ego or his partner, as they explore the world of limitless possibilities and sexual freedom.
The song's chorus of "Soixante-neuf année érotique" ("69 erotic year") highlights the themes of sexual revolution and liberation that were prevalent during this time. The sensuousness and sexual undertones of the lyrics reflect the time period's emphasis on individualism, sexual revolution, and free love. The song's overall message of self-discovery, freedom, and sexual exploration reflects the cultural changes that were taking place within French society in the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Gainsbourg and his Gainsborough
Ont pris le ferry-boat
Took the ferry-boat
De leur lit par le hublot
Watching the shore from their bed through the porthole
Ils regardent la côte
They're looking at the coast
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
They love each other and the crossing
Durera toute une année
Will last a whole year
Ils vaincront les maléfices
They'll conquer the curses
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Until 1970
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Erotic year of '69
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Erotic year of '69
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Gainsbourg and his Gainsborough
Vont rejoindre Paris
Are going to Paris
Ils ont laissé derrière eux
They left behind them
La Tamise et Chelsea
The Thames and Chelsea
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
They love each other and the crossing
Durera toute une année
Will last a whole year
Et que les dieux les bénissent
And may the gods bless them
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Until 1970
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Erotic year of '69
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Erotic year of '69
Qu'ils s'aiment et la traversée
Let them love each other and the crossing
Durera toute une année
Will last a whole year
Qui pardonnera ces caprices
Who will forgive these whims
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Until 1970
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Erotic year of '69
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Erotic year of '69
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: Serge Gainsbourg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sarkdit
Paroles
======
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Ont pris le ferry-boat
De leur lit par le hublot
Ils regardent la côte
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Ils vaincront les maléfices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Vont rejoindre Paris
Ils ont laissé derrière eux
La Tamise et Chelsea
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Et que les dieux les bénissent
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Il pardonnera ses caprices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
@user-ge6ud9pl9b
Текст песни
======
Гейнсбург и его Гейнсборо
Сели на паром
От их кровати через иллюминатор
Они смотрят на берег
Они любят друг друга и переправу
Продлится целый год
Они победят злых
До семидесяти
Шестьдесят девять лет эротика
Гейнсбург и его Гейнсборо
Поедут в Париж
Они оставили позади
Темза и Челси
Они любят друг друга и переправу
Продлится целый год
И да благословят их боги
До семидесяти
Шестьдесят девять лет эротика
Шестьдесят девять лет эротика
Они любят друг друга и переправу
Продлится целый год
Он простит ее капризы
До семидесяти
Шестьдесят девять лет эротика
@danjam50
La poésie, vous connaissez ?
69 année érotique
Serge Gainsbourg
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Ont pris le ferry-boat
De leur lit par le hublot
Ils regardent la côte
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Ils vaincront les maléfices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Vont rejoindre Paris
Ils ont laissé derrière eux
La Tamise et Chelsea
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Et que les dieux les bénissent
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Il pardonnera ses caprices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
@sarkdit
Paroles
======
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Ont pris le ferry-boat
De leur lit par le hublot
Ils regardent la côte
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Ils vaincront les maléfices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Gainsbourg et son Gainsborough
Vont rejoindre Paris
Ils ont laissé derrière eux
La Tamise et Chelsea
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Et que les dieux les bénissent
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Ils s'aiment et la traversée
Durera toute une année
Il pardonnera ses caprices
Jusqu'en soixante-dix
Soixante-neuf année érotique
Soixante-neuf année érotique
@thierrythierry3624
repose en paix tendre petite Jane tu as rejoins ton Gainsboro que votre bateau vogue dans le ciel bleu de l éternite""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
@annefournier1340
Ce matin,je revois l'effrontée,avec la merveilleuse Charlotte; je verse une larme...b
nostalgie.
Ce midi,c est plus qu une larme que je verse en apprenant la mort de Jane B.Une immense artiste s en est allée..RIP😢
@julieblance5074
Looked this up after watching the brilliant bbc mini series The Serpent
@flo4223
OMG same! And le cactus - both absolute bops
@alejandroclaudiosaccomani3436
@@flo4223 yesssss. It is !!!!!
@maxbouillot26
🤟🏻🤟🏻🃏🤟🏻
@nicat1907
Yeap
@MsErikdeking
So did i
@jeanmichelhering8459
Reposez en paix Madame BIRKIN 💖