Serge Gainsbourg [sɛʁʒ gɛ̃'zbuʁ] (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a Fren… Read Full Bio ↴Serge Gainsbourg [sɛʁʒ gɛ̃'zbuʁ] (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a French poet, singer-songwriter, actor and director. Gainsbourg's varied style and individuality made him difficult to categorize. Although famous in France for many years, he did not achieve his first No. 1 album until 1979, when he released Aux Armes et caetera more than twenty years after his music career had begun. Since the 1980s, his legacy has been firmly established.

Initials B.B.
Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot Lyrics

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Une nuit que j'étais
À me morfondre
Dans quelque pub anglais
Du cœur de Londres
Parcourant l'Amour Monstre de Pauwels
Me vint une vision
Dans l'eau de Seltz

The initials, the initials, the initials B.B
The initials, the initials, the initials B.B

Tandis que des médailles
D'impérator
Font briller à sa taille
Le bronze et l'or
Le platine lui grave
D'un cercle froid
La marque des esclaves
À chaque doigt

The initials, the initials, the initials B.B
The initials, the initials, the initials B.B

Jusques en haut des cuisses
Elle est bottée
Et c'est comme un calice
À sa beauté
Elle ne porte rien
D'autre qu'un peu
D'essence de Guerlain
Dans les cheveux

The initials, the initials, the initials B.B
The initials, the initials, the initials B.B

À chaque mouvement
On entendait
Les clochettes d'argent
De ses poignets
Agitant ses grelots
Elle avança
Et prononça ce mot
"Alméria"

The initials, the initials, the initials B.B
The initials, the initials, the initials B.B

The initials, the initials, the initials B.B
The initials, the initials, the initials B.B

Overall Meaning

"Initials BB" is a song by French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg that was released in 1968. The song tells the story of an encounter with a mysterious and alluring woman named BB in a pub in the heart of London. The singer is reading "L'Amour Monstre" by French writer Louis Pauwels when he sees a vision of BB in the bubbly water of his Selzer water glass. He then goes on to describe her in great detail, mentioning how she wears nothing but a hint of Guerlain perfume in her hair, boots that go up to her thighs and bells on her wrists that jingle as she walks. BB is also adorned with various medals that symbolize her power and control over men.

The song creates a sense of mystery and intrigue around BB, as she seems to be a dominant and powerful woman who is in control of her sexuality. The line "La marque des esclaves à chaque doigt" (The mark of slaves on each finger) suggests that BB has conquered many men and that they are all at her beck and call. The song also creates a sense of exoticism and adventure that is associated with the idea of a Frenchman exploring London and discovering this alluring woman.

Overall, the song reflects Gainsbourg's fascination with women and his love of provocative and sensual lyrics. The initials "BB" are believed to stand for Brigitte Bardot, who Gainsbourg had a famous romantic and creative relationship with in the 1960s. However, Gainsbourg later claimed that BB actually stood for "British Bombshell."

Initials B.B.Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot Lyrics

Initials B.B.
Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot Lyrics