Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin - "Je t'aime... moi non plus" 1969

Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. : They were a couple for 12 years.

Their working partnership outlived their separation in 1980, lasting until Gainsbourg’s death in 1991.

The standard line is to call her his muse on account of the songs he wrote for her or the songs she inspired.

Birkin performed the role of, and was clearly the model for, the titular heroine in Gainsbourg’s masterpiece, the 1971 concept album Histoire de Melody Nelson.

But the word “Muse” implies a certain passivity that sells Birkin hopelessly short: she felt far more like Gainsbourg’s co-conspirator.

It was Birkin who modelled Gainsbourg’s iconic latterday image.

There seemed to be nothing he could come up with that she would baulk at.

Singing the song that Bardot had refused to release, and riding out the resultant scandal, which grew far bigger than even Bardot had feared, encompassing not just radio bans, but condemnation from the Vatican.

Demonstrating La Décadanse, Gainsbourg’s attempt at instituting a dance craze that involved the male lead grasping his female partner’s breasts.

Being photographed naked and chained to a radiator for Lui magazine, complete with accompanying text by Gainsbourg describing her as his “little hermaphrodite” & starring in the 1976 film that shared Je T’Aime … Moi Non Plus’ title. - Wow !!

Comments:

richierich4768

Jane Birkin - Forever an icon: A singer, an actress, a stylist, a fashionista, Serge Gainsbourg's muse. She certainly left an indelible mark that will never be erased.

veronicaroach3667

Wow - goosebumps !!! I'm 83 now - but this was a beautiful throwback - thank you for reminding me of those feelings !

dorpets

In 1971 at a party, I asked a girl to dance with me to this song and she said yes. Now... she's my wife!

thomasguerin3428

I was a young man of about 20 when I heard and fell in love with this song and still love it 60 years later. My beautiful wife to be fell in love with it also. Fly high Jane, you were a beauty and a star! Love from Tom and Carmela

peterbarkley2648

I was in Germany during the summer of 1969 and this lovely tunes was playing everywhere. On radio, on jukeboxes, at parties, in discotheques -- it was a song that made the summer of 1969 a summer to remember.

escaua

We can't get more sensuality and expression of LOVE in a song.

danielmorris6523

To me this song defines the passionate history between the UK and France. We fought each other but we also loved each other. Wonderful video. ????

tonydesmet7389

I always burst out in tears when I listen to this wonderful song. Not everybody gets to experience passion. I guess it's one of the best things in life, for the lucky ones that have the possibility to find a desirable partner.

cartwheel8319

A true classic song right at the peak of the that time.  Thank you Serge and Jane.

mikeperez5962

She won my heart years ago when I was a young boy in the 70's.

tapiokatajisto9566

I absolutely LOVE this song and its performers. Love Serge and Love Jane.

mauricioexenberger6225

In Brazil, this song was banned from the radio by the military regime, but in 1969 my neighbor Alexandre, from Capela de Santana, had a tape and played the recorder for anyone who wanted to hear the whispers and moans of the beautiful Jane Birkin - everyone wanted to listen, of course ! Everything that was forbidden by censorship was tastier.

dawnpelter2489

Beautiful song and video, Jane Birkin stunning

igoralexandershnaidstein1599

In Soviet Union it was a huge hit we were playing it everywhere,no problem at all

martydas6233

One of the most powerfull songs ever made.

williamstutts8995

I recently discovered this song for the first time, and I am absolutely in love with it. It takes me somewhere I feel I would love to go to and stay. I can't get enough. So glad I found it. It enlightens my soul. It's a beautiful work of art!

user-co1oj9yu9l

I stood in front of Serge's grave in Montparnasse last Sunday morning to pay my respects to a huge talent who pushed the limits of acceptability as all great artists do. I never met Jane but her presence was immense.

barbaratimmermans5484

This song envelopes me with pure passion and love My body shivers with ecstasy

JayGlover

I was 16/17 and in love with my first girlfriend. I had a psychedelic “den” in my parents’ loft. I played this endlessly on my new stereo system.Then, Mr Porter from across the road complained that his 14 year old daughter could hear the song (banned by BBC) and told my mum to shut down the music.

RM-qg3lx

I have memories of first hearing this song many yrs ago when I was still a kid, probably not long after it came out. Such a simple tune - so sweet and so 60s.

franciscodiniz4092

A remarkable & eternal song in our hearts and memories.

pollysevery2175

I have loved this song ever since it first came out... Outrageous love and romance...  The best...

ARoo-tru

Serge Gainsbourg was a genius to write this song:  there is love, tenderness, passion, a little sadness, and irony.  Jane Birkin's voice is perfect for Serge's song, they were two souls sheltering each other with love in a difficult world.