Je t'aime... moi non plus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Je t'aime... moi non plus" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin |
||
| from the album Je t'aime... moi non plus |
||
| Released | 1969 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | 1969 | |
| Genre | Pop, adult contemporary | |
| Length | 4:22 [1] | |
| Label | UK: Fontana, Major Minor, Antic | |
| Writer(s) | Serge Gainsbourg | |
| Producer(s) | Jack Baverstock | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
UK 1, US 58, Germany 3 |
||
"Je t'aime... moi non plus" is the title of a French song written by Serge Gainsbourg, arranged by Arthur Greenslade and sung by Gainsbourg and his lover, Jane Birkin.
Contents |
[edit] Controversy
Jane Birkin replaced actress Brigitte Bardot after protests of Bardot's manager, fearing for her image. The official version was that her then husband Gunter Sachs had been upset, which is hard to believe for a well-known high-society playboy. The song was considered controversial when recorded and released in 1969, because no song pictured a sexual act so frankly and unmistakeably like this one at the height of the Sexual Revolution in the 1960s.
[edit] Lyrics
The song was known much for its racy undertones and the simple repetition of the title phrase (which translates as "I love you... I don't either") detailed by Birkin's breathy moans. The lyrics of the song, sung in very sultry tones, with Gainsbourg and Birkin/Bardot alternating, are considered by some to be somewhat explicit. Phrases from the song include:
- "Je vais et je viens, entre tes reins" ("I come and I go, in between your hips" - literally: "Entre tes reins"; reins means kidneys or lower back in French)
- "Tu es la vague, moi l'île nue" ("You are the wave, I am the naked island")
- "L'amour physique est sans issue" ("Physical love is without end")
At times, the moans of Birkin/Bardot are the focus of the song and sound like an orgasm (which some claim to be the result of Serge and Jane/Brigitte actually engaging in sex during the recording of the song).
[edit] Commercial success
It was a commercial success all over Europe despite being banned from radios in Italy, Iceland, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Yugoslavia and the UK, and being denounced by the Vatican. The moral outcry in the UK helped the record climb to the top of the charts. After reaching number 2 on the Fontana label they withdrew the record from sale. Gainsbourg arranged a deal with a leading independent label of the day, Major Minor. Upon re-release it reached number one.[1]
The song reached No. 1 on the UK charts and No. 58 in the US.
| "Je t'aime... moi non plus" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Donna Summer | ||
| from the album Thank God It's Friday (soundtrack) | ||
| B-side(s) | Je t'aime... moi non plus (Part Two) | |
| Released | 1978 | |
| Format | 7" single, 12" single | |
| Genre | Disco, Pop, Soul, R&B | |
| Label | Casablanca | |
| Writer(s) | Serge Gainsbourg | |
| Producer(s) | Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte | |
| Donna Summer singles chronology | ||
| "Last Dance" (1978) |
"Je t'aime... moi non plus" (1978) |
"MacArthur Park" (1978) |
[edit] Covers
The song would go on to be the influence for the disco classic "Love to Love You Baby" by singer Donna Summer and legendary producer Giorgio Moroder, both of whom would later duet "Je t'aime" in its original form.
English singer Misty Oldland recorded a version of the song with different lyrics ("A Fair Affair") in 1993.
In 1998, artist Sam Taylor-Wood (who supplied the backdrop videos to the "Somewhere" concert performances) asked the Pet Shop Boys to produce her contribution to a compilation CD of popular British artists which became known as the "Ambassadors - We Love You" futique. They agreed, and the resulting track was "Je T'aime ... Moi Non Plus", a remake of the 1969 French hit by Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg. This track—which first appeared on We Love You, a rare 1998 promo compilation was designed to promote collaboration between visual and musical artists and later served as a bonus track on the "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More" CD single.
Sven Väth and Miss Kittin recorded an electronic version in 2001.
Cat Power and Karen Elson recorded a new English version in 2006.
[edit] Selected list of recorded versions
- 1968 Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot (not issued until the 1980s)
- 1969 Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
- 1971 Frankie Howerd & June Whitfield as "Up Je t'aime," a parody
- 1972 Hot Butter (instrumental, as "Love at First Sight")
- 1974 Abigail (actress)
- 1975 Judge Dread
- 1978 Giorgio Moroder & Donna Summer
- 1986 René & Yvette from 'Allo 'Allo
- 1992 Chayanne & Natalie as "Exxtasis"
- 1993 Misty Oldland as "A Fair Affair"
- 1995 Nick Cave & Anita Lane as "I love you...nor do I"
- 1997 Cibo Matto
- 1998 Pet Shop Boys & Sam Taylor-Wood
- 2001 Sven Väth & Miss Kittin
- 2003 Brian Molko & Asia Argento
- 2004 The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
- 2006 Cat Power & Karen Elson
[edit] Film of the same name
Je t'aime... moi non plus is also the name of a 1976 feature film directed by Gainsbourg.
[edit] External links
- Je T'aime (Moi Non Plus) - a French pop song
- The eyes have it
- Radio documentary and catalogue of cover versions (over 120 to date)
- "Je t'aime... moi non plus" on the All Music Guide
[edit] References
- ^ 1969 Album on the AMG Retrieved 15 February 2007
| Preceded by "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival |
UK number one single October 7, 1969 |
Succeeded by "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" by Bobbie Gentry |
