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
Eau À la Bouche
Serge Gainsbourg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Écoute mon cœur qui bat, laisse-toi faire
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Je te veux confiante, je te sens captive
Je te veux docile, je te sens craintive
Je t'en prie, ne sois pas farouche
Laisse-toi au gré du courant
Porter dans le lit du torrent
Et dans le mien
Si tu veux bien
Quittons la rive
Partons à la dérive
Je te prendrais doucement et sans contrainte
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
Je t'en prie, ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
Vois, je ne prends que ta bouche
The lyrics to Serge Gainsbourg's song Eau À la Bouche are a seductive plea from the singer to his lover. He asks her to listen to his voice and his prayer and let her heart follow his desire. He asks her not to be shy when he becomes aroused and his mouth waters with anticipation of her. He wants her to feel confident and yet vulnerable, trusting and yet obedient. He promises to take her gently and without force, and urges her not to be afraid. He suggests that they abandon reason and allow themselves to be carried away by desire, to take the risk of leaving the shore and drifting with the current. He assures her that he will be patient and wait for her, and that their encounter will only involve a kiss.
The lyrics to "Eau À la Bouche" are an example of Gainsbourg's skillful use of double entendres and suggestive language. The phrase "eau à la bouche" literally means "water in the mouth", but is also a French expression that means "to drool with desire". Gainsbourg's use of this phrase is a clever way of evoking the sensuality of his lover and his own hunger for her. The lyrics also make reference to the idea of surrendering to passion and giving in to temptation, which is a common theme in Gainsbourg's music. The song is notable for its combination of cabaret-style music with jazz elements and Gainsbourg's unique voice, which adds to the seductive quality of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Écoute ma voix écoute ma prière
Please listen carefully to what I have to say
Écoute mon cœur qui bat laisse-toi faire
Trust me and let me guide you
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Please don't be shy or hesitant
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
When I become thirsty for you
Je te veux confiante je te sens captive
I want you to be confident, but I can sense you're apprehensive
Je te veux docile je te sens craintive
I want you to be submissive, but I can sense you're afraid
Laisse toi au gré du courant
Let yourself go with the flow
Porter dans le lit du torrent
Be carried along by the current
Et dans le mien
And in mine
Si tu veux bien
If you're willing
Quittons la rive
Let's leave the shore
Partons à la dérive
Let's drift away together
Je te prendrai doucement et sans contrainte
I'll take you gently and without pressure
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
What are you afraid of? Don't be scared
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Tonight you'll come lie next to me
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
Yes, I'll be calm and patient as I wait for you
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
And so you don't get alarmed
Vois je ne prend que ta bouche
Just know that I only want your kiss
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Serge Gainsbourg, Alain Yves Goraguer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ngocchu8055
Écoute ma voix, écoute ma prière
Écoute mon cœur qui bat, laisse-toi faire
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Je te veux confiante, je te sens captive (captiver)
Je te veux docile, je te sens craintive (craintif)
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Laisse-toi au gré du courant
Porter dans le lit du torrent
Et dans le mien
Si tu veux bien
Quittons la rive
Partons à la dérive
Je te prendrais doucement et sans contrainte
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
Vois, je ne prends que ta bouche
@cf9240
L'eau á la bouche
Serge Gainsbourg
Hear my voice, hear my prayer
Écoute ma voix, écoute ma prière
Listen to my beating heart, let yourself go
Écoute mon cœur qui bat, laisse-toi faire
Please don't be shy
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
When water comes to my mouth
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
I want you confident, I feel captive
Je te veux confiante, je te sens captive
I want you docile I feel fearful
Je te veux docile je te sens craintive
Please don't be shy
Je t'en prie, ne sois pas farouche
When water comes to my mouth
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Let yourself go with the flow
Laisse-toi au gré du courant
Bear in the torrential bed
Porter dans le lit du torrent
And in mine
Et dans le mien
If you agree
Si tu veux bien
Let's leave the shore
Quittons la rive
Let's drift away
Partons à la dérive
I would take you gently and without constraint
Je te prendrais doucement et sans contrainte
What are you afraid of let's go have no fear
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
Please don't be shy
Je t'en prie, ne sois pas farouche
When water comes to my mouth
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
This night near me you will come to lie down
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Yes i will be calm i will be able to wait for you
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
And so you don't get scared
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
See, I only take your mouth
Vois, je ne prends que ta bouche
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Serge Gainsbourg / Alain Yves Goraguer
L'eau á la bouche lyrics © Warner Chappell Music France, Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Inc.
@vitodivenosa
Écoute ma voix écoute ma prière
Écoute mon cœur qui bat laisse-toi faire
Je t'en pris ne sois pas farouche
Quand me viens l'eau à la bouche
Je te veux confiante je te sens captive
Je te veux docile je te sens craintive
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me viens l'eau à la bouche
Laisse toi au gré du courant
Porter dans le lit du torrent
Et dans le mien
Si tu veux bien
Quittons la rive
Partons à la dérive
Je te prendrais doucement et sans contrainte
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me viens l'eau à la bouche
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
Vois je ne prend que ta bouche
@iliyanakoleva4356
Écoute ma voix, écoute ma prière
Écoute mon coeur qui bat laisse-toi faire
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Je te veux confiante, je te sens captive
Je te veux docile, je te sens craintive
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Laisse-toi au gré du courant
Porter dans le lit du torrent
Et dans le mien
Si tu veux bien
Quittons la rive
Partons à la dérive
Je te prendrais doucement et sans contrainte
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
Vois je ne prends que ta bouche
@gabrielavieitas1806
LES PAROLES:
Écoute ma voix écoute ma prière
Écoute mon coeur qui bat laisse-toi faire
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Je te veux confiante je te sens captive
Je te veux docile je te sens craintive
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Laisse-toi au gré du courant
Porter dans le lit du torrent
Et dans le mien
Si tu veux bien
Quittons la rive
Partons à la dérive
Je te prendrais doucement et sans contrainte
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
Vois je ne prends que ta bouche
x ~ x ~ x
Very useful if you're learning French. :)
@jeanbriffaut
l'air de rien, presque gêné d'être là...et pourtant si présent, si romanesque. Captivant, éblouissant en noir et blanc. Ta voix est inoubliable, merci Serge
@ngocchu8055
Écoute ma voix, écoute ma prière
Écoute mon cœur qui bat, laisse-toi faire
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Je te veux confiante, je te sens captive (captiver)
Je te veux docile, je te sens craintive (craintif)
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Laisse-toi au gré du courant
Porter dans le lit du torrent
Et dans le mien
Si tu veux bien
Quittons la rive
Partons à la dérive
Je te prendrais doucement et sans contrainte
De quoi as-tu peur allons n'aie nulle crainte
Je t'en prie ne sois pas farouche
Quand me vient l'eau à la bouche
Cette nuit près de moi tu viendras t'étendre
Oui je serai calme je saurai t'attendre
Et pour que tu ne t'effarouches
Vois, je ne prends que ta bouche
@benjaminmtf2344
Pourquoi les parenthèses ?
@zadigthejasp
Sa timidité et sa modeste façon de se mouvoir nous permettent, par contraste, d'apprécier à chaque fois davantage le talent providentiel qui reside dans sa musique.
@Srycko
Un mélange qui donne une certaine classe !
@catoftheworld9630
C’est du play-back non
@triangle5267
Il a juste l'air de pas vouloir être là c'est flippant x) peut-être classe mais flippant
@prettyhamburger6462
Je repense a ce commentaire a chaque ecoute de cette chanson, c'est vraiment ca👌
@dereavetheo5154
@CatOf TheWorld pas du tout 😉
@MachiavellisThePrince
He looks like he spent the first 40 seconds trying to think of something to say. And what he came up with is BRILLIANT!