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Je t'aime... moi non plus
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"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
US: Fontana
Writer Serge Gainsbourg
Producer Jack Baverstock
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" (French for "I love you... me neither") is the title of a French song written by Serge Gainsbourg, arranged by Arthur Greenslade and sung by Gainsbourg and his lover, Jane Birkin.

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.[3] Later that year, Gainsbourg met and fell in love with English actress Jane 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.

Contents [hide]
1 Lyrics
2 Controversy
3 Commercial success
4 Covers
5 Selected list of recorded versions
6 References
7 External links



[edit] 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 street")

[edit] 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, Poland, Spain, and the UK, and denounced by the Vatican in a public statement.


[edit] 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In the UK, it was originally released on the Fontana label, but, after reaching number 2 on the charts, it was withdrawn for sale by the label.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 then arranged a deal with prominent independent label Major Minor and, upon re-release, it reached number one.[4]


[edit] Covers
"Je t'aime... moi non plus"

Single by Donna Summer
from the album Thank God It's Friday (soundtrack)
B-side Je t'aime... moi non plus (Part Two)
Released 1978
Format 7" single, 12" single
Genre Disco, Pop, Soul, R&B
Label Casablanca
Writer Serge Gainsbourg
Producer 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 for the Thank God It's Friday film soundtrack. This was released as a single in Brazil.

'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.

English singer Misty Oldland recorded a version of the song with different lyrics ("A Fair Affair") in 1993.

In 1998, artist Sam Taylor-Wood recorded a cover of the song with the Pet Shop Boys as a contribution to the compilation CD/book "futique" entitled Ambassadors - We Love You, a concept designed to promote collaboration between visual and musical artists. This track 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.

For the 2005 tribute album Monsieur Gainsbourg Revisited an English-language version - entitled I love you (me either) was performed by Cat Power & Karen Elson.


[edit] 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
1981 Einstürzende Neubauten (as "Jet'm") [5]
1986 Psychic TV
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
1998 Bob Downe & Julian Clary
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)