Serge Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin and "Bonnie & Clyde"

Few foreign icons from the 1960s to the 1980s have influenced, exposed and let one drop into raw sensuality quite like singer-songwriter, composer, actor, director, and lifestyle influencer, Serge Gainsbourg.

While you may know him from his French pop music; “Je t’aime moi non plus”, “Melody”, “Bonnie and Clyde” to name a few of his 550 saucy tunes, or films like "Slogan" (1969), "Cannabis" (1970), "Menage" (1986), or "Lemon Incest" (1995 Short), the controversial music video shot with Gainsbourg and Birkin’s daughter and actress, Charlotte Gainsbourg.

A young Serge Gainsbourg

A debonair, style icon Serge was known for the women he loved, namely Bridget Bardot, Jane Birkin and Caroline Paulus “Bambou”, and, of course, the cigarettes he smoked.

For me it is his humorous, subversive, satirical take on love and lust; his provocative, overtly sexual overtones, and scandalous, societal bans all wrapped in his sultry, poetic, French voice that keeps me coming back for more.

Sultry Songs for the Boudoir

If you are looking to set the mood for sexy time, there is nothing like Gainsbourg to drop you in the pocket. You cannot go wrong his magnus opus, Concept album, "Histoire de Melody Nelson" or "Comic Strip" to set the mood. Between his sweaty, sultry, half-sung vocals, choral arrangements, strings and the funky drums, guitar, and bass it is easy to get lost in the moment. This all while the sensual, melodic, female voices of lovers such as Bridgot Bardot and Jane Birkin leave you spell bound and feeling groovy.

Gainsbourg’s varied musical style over the three decades made him impossible to categorize. His early work danced with jazz, ye’-ye’ and chanson before later indulging in rock, zouk, funk, reggae and electronica. Always pushing the limits, he would be the first white musician to go to Jamaica and record reggae. Recording erotic tunes with Bob Marley’s wife Rita did not go over well with Bob, not to mention the intense controversy to come when he turned the French National Anthem into a reggae song.

Gainsbourg had a knack for shock and awe. His authentic self, style and poetic sensuality always came layered with frivolous fun, women and alcoholism. He consistently left a trail of scandal in his wake. He thrived on it. He thought outside the box and did not let others shape him.

Influencing the Influencers

Gainsbourg was France’s David Bowie. Like Mick Jagger his music was theatrical and oOrgasmic. His influence on the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Beck, Artic Monkey... the list goes on spread the globe like wild fire. He made his mark across multiple genres but most notably shaping Rock 'n' Roll, Funk, Reggae/Ska and, eventually, Electronica.

Pitchfork named Gainsbourg the top 44th Album of the 1960s. If, like me, you dig Rock 'n' Roll, Funk and Jazz from this era than you know as well as I do that this is a hard list to make!

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg

Fashionably French, Gainsbourg loved women. Eighteen years her senior, his lifelong friendship with Jane Birkin (Yes, that’s the purse) was a testament to his prowess as a lover, his debonair style, wit, and generosity. Birkin and Gainsbourg were the “IT” couple for years. Together they shaped how the world perceived luxury, style, and elegance. Men and women longed to emulate them.

Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg

Born Lucien Ginsburg in Paris, he was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Joseph and Olga Ginsburg. Both parents were talented and came up in the cabaret scene. Gainsbourg and his twin sister grew up in the thick of culture and art. He was born with a knack for entertaining. On a whim, at the onset of his stint in music, he changed his name to Serge Gainsbourg naming himself after a painter he admired.

Gainsbourg did not let his foot off the gas! He always lived life to the fullest. A ragging alcoholic, he smoked 5 packs of unfiltered cigarettes a day, had his first heart attack at 45 and the second fatal attack in 1991 at the age of 63.

Set the scene with low lighting.

He was survived by the women who adored him, his four children, and countless fans from all corners of the globe.

Tanya’s Tips: Plan a date and set the scene with curated music and low lighting. For lighting, I recommend Hue Smart Lightbulbs in both the boudoir and living areas. This lets you instantly choose a sensual color that makes you look your best. Now all you need is a playlist to set and keep you in the mood.

Follow oOYes Groovy Tunes for weekly Spotify Playlist to help set and keep you in the mood.