"Je t'aime... moi non plus"
Single by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin
from the album Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg
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
Peak chart positions
UK 1, US 58, Germany 3 Image File history File links Birkin_Je_t'aime_original. ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... Serge Gainsbourg (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a French poet, singer-songwriter, actor and director. ... Birkin in 2005 Jane Birkin OBE (born 14 December 1946) is an actress and singer. ... Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg (also known as Je taime. ... See also: 1968 in music, other events of 1969, 1970 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Perhaps the most famous musical events of 1969 are two legendary concerts. ... In music, a single is a short (usually ten minutes or less) record, usually featuring one or two tracks as A-sides, often accompanied by several B-sides—usually remixes or other songs. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For popular music (music produced commercially rather than art or folk music), see Popular music. ... Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreciated to just AC, is a type of radio format that plays mainstream and pop music, without hip-hop or rap since, as per the name, it is geared more towards adults than teens. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Fontana Records was a record label active in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1960s, as a subsiduary of the Dutch Phillips company. ... In Music theory, the diatonic major scale (also known as the Guido scale), from the Greek diatonikos or to stretch out, is a fundamental building block of the European-influenced musical tradition. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Serge Gainsbourg (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a French poet, singer-songwriter, actor and director. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... A record chart, also known as a music chart, is a method of ranking music according to popularity during a given period of time. ...

For the film, see Je t'aime... moi non plus (film). For the album, see Jane Birkin Serge Gainsbourg.

"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. Je taime. ... Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg (also known as Je taime. ... Serge Gainsbourg (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a French poet, singer-songwriter, actor and director. ... Birkin in 2005 Jane Birkin OBE (born 14 December 1946) is an actress and singer. ...

The song was originally written for and recorded with Gainsbourg's lover at the time, Brigitte Bardot, in 1968. However, Bardot pleaded with Gainsbourg not to release their recording of the song, and he agreed.^[2] Later that year, Gainsbourg met and fell in love with English actress Birkin on the set of their film Slogan. "Je t'aime... moi non plus" was re-recorded with Birkin replacing Bardot, and was released early in 1969. Brigitte Bardot (born Brigitte Ann-Marie Bardot) on September 28, 1934) is a French actress, former fashion model, nationalist, singer, animal rights activist, and considered the embodiment of the 1950s and 1960s sex kitten. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ...

Lyrics

The lyrics are written as an imaginary dialogue between two lovers during a sexual encounter. 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 a dead end")

Controversy

The explicit eroticism of the song was declared offensive at the time of its release. The lyrics referred to the taboo theme of engaging in sex without love, and were delivered in a breathy, suggestive style. The song culminates in simulated orgasm sounds by Birkin. It was banned from radio play in Italy, Iceland, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Yugoslavia and the UK, and denounced by the Vatican in a public statement. A ban is, generally, any decree that prohibits something. ...

Commercial success

The song was a commercial success throughout Europe. Arguably, the publicity the controversy created was partly responsible for its success.

In the UK, it was originally released on the Fontana label, but, after reaching number 2 on the charts, it was withdrawn for sale by the label. Gainsbourg arranged a deal with prominent independent label Major Minor. Upon re-release it reached number one.^[3] Fontana Records was a record label active in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1960s, as a subsiduary of the Dutch Phillips company. ... In Music theory, the diatonic major scale (also known as the Guido scale), from the Greek diatonikos or to stretch out, is a fundamental building block of the European-influenced musical tradition. ...

Covers

"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)

The song would go on to influence 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. Image File history File links Je_t'aime_(Mexico). ... A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short recording of one or more separate tracks. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Thank God Its Friday is a 1978 film directed by Robert Klane. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... See also: 1970s in music. ... In music, a single is a short (usually ten minutes or less) record, usually featuring one or two tracks as A-sides, often accompanied by several B-sides—usually remixes or other songs. ... The 12-inch [30 cm] single gramophone record gained popularity with the advent of disco music in the 1970s. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Disco is a genre of dance-oriented pop music that blends elements of funk and soul music that was first popularized in dance clubs (discothèques) in the mid-1970s. ... For popular music (music produced commercially rather than art or folk music), see Popular music. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article is about Casablanca, the record label. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Serge Gainsbourg (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a French poet, singer-songwriter, actor and director. ... In the music industry, a record producer (or music producer) has many roles, among them controlling the recording sessions, coaching and guiding the musicians, organizing and scheduling production budget and resources, and supervising the recording, mixing and mastering processes. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Pete Bellotte is a British songwriter and producer most famous for his work alongside Giorgio Moroder. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Last Dance is a song written by the late Paul Jabara. ... MacArthur Park is an epic song written by Jimmy Webb and first performed by Richard Harris on his album A Tramp Shining in 1968. ... Disco is a genre of dance-oriented pop music that blends elements of funk and soul music that was first popularized in dance clubs (discothèques) in the mid-1970s. ... Love to Love You Baby is a disco/pop single and eponymous album, both released by American singer Donna Summer. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

'Allo 'Allo! stars, Gorden Kaye and Vicki Michelle recorded a parody simply titled "Je t'aime", having their characters René Artois and Yvette Carte-Blanche attempt to elope behind the back of René's wife to the tune of the song. It may be obtained from here. Allo Allo! was a long-running British sitcom broadcast on BBC1 from 1982 to 1992 comprising eighty-five episodes. ... René & Me (book cover) Gorden Kaye (born Gordon Kaye on 7 April 1941 in Huddersfield) is most famous in the UK for his work on television sitcom Allo Allo!, where he played the character of René Artois. ... Vicki Michelle (b. ... René François Artois is a fictional character, the main character in the BBC sitcom Allo Allo!, which ran from 1982 to 1992. ... Yvette Carte-Blanche is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom Allo Allo!, which ran from 1982 to 1992. ... Edith Melba Artois, also referred to as Madame Edith, is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom Allo Allo!, which ran from 1982 to 1992. ...

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 for 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 promotional compilation was designed to promote collaboration between visual and musical artists and later featured as a bonus track on the "I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More" CD single. Sam Taylor-Wood (born London 1967) is a contemporary artist working mostly in video and photography. ... The capitalization of song titles in this article may be disputed. ...

Selected list of recorded versions

• 1968 Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot (not issued until 1986)
• 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"
• 1996 2Defy as "Je t'aime Moi Non Plus - Forever My Lady"
• 1997 Cibo Matto
• 1998 Pet Shop Boys & Sam Taylor-Wood
• 2001 Sven Väth & Miss Kittin (electronic version)
• 2003 Brian Molko & Asia Argento
• 2004 The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
• 2006 Cat Power & Karen Elson (English version)

Serge Gainsbourg (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a French poet, singer-songwriter, actor and director. ... Brigitte Bardot (born Brigitte Ann-Marie Bardot) on September 28, 1934) is a French actress, former fashion model, nationalist, singer, animal rights activist, and considered the embodiment of the 1950s and 1960s sex kitten. ... Serge Gainsbourg (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a French poet, singer-songwriter, actor and director. ... Birkin in 2005 Jane Birkin OBE (born 14 December 1946) is an actress and singer. ... Frankie Howerd Frankie Howerd OBE (born Francis Alex Howard in York, England, 6 March 1917 - not 1922 as he claimed; died in London, 19 April 1992) was a distinctive English comedian and comic actor. ... June Whitfield CBE 1925 in Streatham, London) is a well-known English actress. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Abigail as Bev and Robyn Gurney as Janie in Number 96. ... Alexander Minto Hughes (1945 - March 12, 1998), better known as Judge Dread, a British reggae and ska artist. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... René François Artois is a fictional character, the main character in the BBC sitcom Allo Allo!, which ran from 1982 to 1992. ... Yvette Carte-Blanche is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom Allo Allo!, which ran from 1982 to 1992. ... Allo Allo! was a British sitcom that ran on BBC1 from 1984 to 1992. ... Chayanne (born June 28, 1968) is a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-nominated Puerto Rican pop singer who was born as Elmer Figueroa-Arce in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. ... The English name Natalie and Nat or the French name Nathalie can refer to many people: Natalie Albino, member of the R&B duo Nina Sky (see Natalie and Nicole Albino) Natalie Alvarado (commonly referred to as Natalie), American pop singer Natalie, self-titled album Natalie Appleton, Canadian pop singer... Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in 2005. ... Anita Lane is an Australian singer and songwriter who directly influenced the early 1980s European post-punk landscape. ... Cibo Matto was a New York City-based band formed by Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda in 1994. ... The capitalization of song titles in this article may be disputed. ... Sam Taylor-Wood (born London 1967) is a contemporary artist working mostly in video and photography. ... Sven Väth (sometimes Sven Vaeth), born October 26, 1964 near Frankfurt, Germany, is a DJ who has produced a large body of work since his career began in 1982. ... Miss Kittin (born Caroline Hervé, 1973 in Grenoble, France) is an electronica vocalist and DJ. At age 22 she began DJing, spinning records in France, Moscow and Chicago with Mike Dearborn. ... Brian Molko (born December 10, 1972 in Belgium) is lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Placebo. ... Asia Anna Maria Argento (born 20 September 1975, Rome) is an Italian television and film actress and director. ... The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is an entire orchestra who only play the ukulele. ... Cat Power is the stage name of American singer/songwriter Charlyn Chan Marshall (born Charlyn Marie Marshall on 21 January 1972). ... Karen Elson (born 14 January 1979 in Bolton, England) is a British supermodel. ...

References

1. ^ 1969 Album on the AMG Retrieved 15 February 2007
2. ^ http://www.rfimusique.com/siteEn/biographie/biographie_6305.asp
3. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3970361

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