A simple and groovy, mid-tempo easy pop tune with a nice wah-wah guitar riff and Jane B.'s trademark teen fox vocal. Everything apart from the words "Lolita go home" is sung in French. Jane B. didn't really know French and it sounds quite funny. Gainsbourg and Birkin must've had a hell of a relationship! Another classic in my dj set which again shows Gainsbourg's tremendous ability to write sunny bubblegum pop as well as arrange it deliciously.
French girlie pop of the sort that only Serge was capable of! This is taken from the soundtrack to a television comedy special starring Gainsbourg, Jean-Claude Brialy & Anna Karina, who prior to this had of course been Jean-Luc Godard's primary actress and wife (reportedly, her dalliances with Mssr. Gainsbourg played a pivotal role in the dissolution of their marriage). Rah-rah-rah-roller gairl!
18 Oct 02 ·LetFreedomHappen: What a great song! I was about to recommend it myself. I love her film work with Godard, and was way excited to find out that she sang stuff too. Especially Gainsbourg stuff. This is one of my favorites. How cool, how cool.
A lovely, dark, haunting song with an intricate string arrangement; this really got me hooked on Gainsbourg as soon as I heard it. Musically, the song dazzles me - the arrangement flows beautifully and sounds very original (to me, anyway; if I'm wrong, please help steer me in the direction of more recordings like this!). Serge is a great vocalist here as well. At times he whispers, but some lines he really spits out - 'a quel point je HAIS......ce que tu es...' The guy was a genius.
from Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg, available on CD (Polydor France)
03 May 01 ·Mike: I must agree with you (it seems pretty appropriate to do so as you introduced the song to me yourself a few years ago) - this is a very beautiful song, very beautifully and expressively sung, and the arrangement is frankly stunning. This is definitely one of those Gainsbourg tracks which really hits the heights in every department. Surely worth a listen, even to those who can't stand the bulk of Serge's output. 09 Apr 02 ·tempted: Scott Walker has some similarly haunting orchestral arrangements but as a singer he's a sheep whereas Serge's a wolf. A great sheep, though.
Excellent early jazz song from Serge with a very sparse arrangement and a lively rhythm. Further proof that the man could do anything he wanted.
from Gainsbourg Confidentiel (Polygram) available on CD - Du Jazz Dans le Ravin (Polygram)
04 May 01 ·delicado: yeah, I was completely blown away when I first heard the 'du jazz...' compilation! Astounding stuff, and you're right - he tried everything and was almost always successful... 18 Jun 01 ·tempted: Have you heard "Nazi Rock"? 18 Jun 01 ·delicado: ok, emphasis on the 'almost' I guess. I actually have friends who enjoy 'rock around the bunker', but it's not really my cup of tea. 09 Apr 02 ·tempted: The saddest thing about Gainsbourg's restless life is that he got most popular in France on the most awkward musical road he ever followed. That was the half-arse reggae music he made. But still he's a hero of mine.
A super cool french vocal with an excellent organ sound running through it. Serge's jazzier output (showcased on the excellent 'du jazz dans le ravin' CD compilation) really blew me away when I first heard it, and this track is probably my favorite from this period.
from No. 4 available on CD - Du jazz dans le ravin (Philips)
24 Jul 01 ·tinks: i absolutely love this song, especially how serge just sounds so very...FRENCH! the way he draws out the word "twisteur" cracks me up every single time i hear it.
