music_note LyroVerse Lyrics, artists, photos, and community curation.
search
menu_bookGuides forumCommunity leaderboard lyricsSubmit lyrics artistSuggest artist login person_add
Live listeners 18
search
Serge Gainsbourg
Artist profile

Serge Gainsbourg

Serge Gainsbourg was born Lucien Ginsburg in Paris in 1928. His father was a Ukrainian Jewish émigré and his mother was a French pianist. His childhood was...

album250 lyric pages photo_library3 photos groups18 listeners here now Editor's note live
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Start here

The pages that open this catalog up fastest

These picks surface the stronger lyric pages first instead of dropping you into one endless list.

18-39 3 visits arrow_forward Couleur Café Video on page · 3 visits arrow_forward 3 Millions De Joconde 2 visits arrow_forward 69 Année Érotique Video on page · 2 visits arrow_forward Adieu, CréAture 2 visits arrow_forward Amour Sans Amour 2 visits arrow_forward
Editor's note

Serge Gainsbourg, the sly poet of French pop

A painter turned songwriter whose literate, provocative tunes defined an era.

For his mix of melody and mischief, try "Ballade de Melody Nelson" or the earlier "Couleur Café."

Gainsbourg wrote songs that felt like short stories set to music, full of wordplay and a kind of weary cool. Tracks like "Couleur Café" and "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus" blended jazz, pop, and a touch of scandal. His work soundtracked a certain Parisian mood for decades.

He started in the Paris cabaret scene after the war, writing for singers like Juliette Gréco. The late '60s brought his infamous duet with Jane Birkin, and later songs like "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais" kept his voice in the air.

edit_note Ethan Walker · LyroVerse team · Apr 20
verified

LyroVerse editor's notes are short interpretation guides, not final verdicts. If something needs a correction, visit About or Contact.

Artist at a glance

The fast read

250 lyric pages live 3 photos available Editor's note live Video on page
Photos

Visual archive

Real photos only. No placeholder gallery promo.

Open gallery
Serge Gainsbourg Serge Gainsbourg Serge Gainsbourg
Background notes

Archive material and source history

Serge Gainsbourg was born Lucien Ginsburg in Paris in 1928. His father was a Ukrainian Jewish émigré and his mother was a French pianist. His childhood was marked by the Nazi occupation of France, which forced his family to flee and hide. After the war, he pursued painting before turning to music.

In the 1950s, Gainsbourg became a figure in the Parisian cabaret scene. His literate lyrics and nonchalant delivery caught the attention of artists like Juliette Gréco and Boris Vian. He wrote songs like "Couleur Café" and "L'eau À La Bouche" that showed his early style.

In 1969, he recorded "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus" with Jane Birkin. Later songs like "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais" and "18-39" continued his mix of wordplay and provocation.

Quick answers

What this artist page can answer fast

Where should I start with Serge Gainsbourg on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with 18-39, Couleur Café, and 3 Millions De Joconde so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for Serge Gainsbourg?

LyroVerse currently has 250 visible lyric pages for Serge Gainsbourg.

Does Serge Gainsbourg have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 3 photos available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for Serge Gainsbourg?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

Artist Community

Not just lyrics. The conversation around them.

Follow the artist, compare interpretations across songs, and leave corrections that help the catalog stay sharp.

Open artist hub
0 followers Artist hub stays noindex until the conversations are proven strong
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Share a short memory or first impression

Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

Sign in person_add

No listener comments on Serge Gainsbourg yet.