Hello, this is the Official Gainsbourg thread ;-)
(and sorry for my bad bad english)
I take some songs in each of his albums for seing the evolution. Except for "Histoire de Melody Nelson" where all his fabulous (96 in metacritic)
Since we are on an international forum, I focused on rhythm, not to the words. The album are homogeneous, if you like a song, it is likely that you appreciate the other of the same album.
And I put some of songs write and composed by Serge Gainsbourg but sing by other.


1958 : Du chant à la une
Le Poinçonneur Des Lilas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsX4M-by5OY
Douze Belles Dans La Peau
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRS8o9lM6ck
L'alcool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5_NOXty0Zo

1959 : N°2
L'anthracite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FimdULsrSI8
Indifférente
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji1OMbxXOTE
Judith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33Un-hsnQg0
L'eau A La Bouche
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TojXB8uOiA4

1961 : L'étonnant Serge Gainsbourg
La Chanson De Prévert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=napqgK9T_pU
Les Oubliettes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkNX0BgQ1XU
Les Amours Perdues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMRbBfAm3sA

1962 : N°4
Les Goémons

Black Trombone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlj1snWaYMQ
Baudelaire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j-DljvlN4I
Intoxicated man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K39sZqy3Vhw
Requiem pour un twister
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgjSRFO21X0
La Javanaise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duAk5um3B30

1963 : Gainsbourg Confidentiel
Chez les yé-yé
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFuurPqoQU
Elaeudanla Téïtéïa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eXcs7QUe-I
Scenic Railway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0qJCC7R-YE
No, no thanks no !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j29BkAoAaKU

1964 : Gainsbourg Percussion
Pauvre Lola
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIx3r5nsdug
Quand mon 6,35 me fait les yeux doux !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjSyEB16FmE
New-York USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMR4tEFLK1w
Couleur café
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDOk6nu9udo
Ces petits rien
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8bWDuC9A3A
Coco and co.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CTL9egntTg

1967 : Anna (fabulous OST)
Sous le soleil exactement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAVsGHDw_RU
Ne dis rien
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmIUjMZKlGQ
Un jour comme un autre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bW-sqHZF28
Un poison violent, c'est ça l'amour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikBZjqeVgTc
De plus en plus, de moins en moins
Roller girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mseyVZ0JNOM
Je n'avais qu'un seul mot à lui dire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN77xqmDsao

1968 : Initials B.B.
Initials B.B.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuZklVrHspM
Comic Strip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAz9e2HQjmE
Bloody Jack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKoJAcd5RLs
Docteur Jekyll et Monsieur Hyde
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmnbio8GtsY
Ford Mustang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT6U57QkUe8
Bonnie and Clyde
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIAb9ClVoZc&feature=related
Qui est"In", qui est "Out" ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sieGXAP2dCg
Requiem pour un con
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vJvwD3XADc

1969 : Jane Birkin - Serge Gainsbourg
Je t'aime, moi non plus ! (Birkin & Bardot)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Fa4lOQfbA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So_Pi87P1Ec
L'anamour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsA_zSlDANU
69, année érotique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbJQrCE3JJs
Elisa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O11yNxrG6SU
La chanson de Slogan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge5M_oHiIFE

1971 : Histoire de Melody Nelson
All the album without any exeption
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALAQnT5Zr-8
http://www.youtube.com/user/myfairjoker#p/u/56/dlLflBt1EcA
http://www.youtube.com/user/myfairjoker#p/u/55/hIWQk0VAv70
http://www.youtube.com/user/myfairjoker#p/u/54/UV8mPH8FphM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F4Gfj2jeLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H93XQcHf3yg

1973 : Vu de l'extérieur
Je suis venu te dire que je m'en vais !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--BTGqJmhow
Panpan cucul
Par hasard et pas rasé
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lezh-ucu4k
Pamela Popo
L'hippopodame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbPZxCHVR-E
Sensuelle Et Sans Suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8jlD3A6zY4

1975 : Rock around the Bunker
Nazi rock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqltt-YKwCc
J'entends des voix off
Rock around the Bunker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG7cYvJ4PdU
S.S. in Uruguay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylgOY5YF1HE

1976 : L'homme à la tête de chou
L'homme à la tête de chou
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DEstQqgglk
Chez Max, coiffeur pour homme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZUjwfDNOWE
Flash Forward
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G0EVxrXPVI
Aeroplanes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiXSAMLO6fY
Variations sur Marilou
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EelVBOMia2w
Marilou sous la neige
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOnrQXCHgG8

1979 : Aux armes et caetera
Aux armes et caetera (the French anthem revisited)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLq7EcvRaf0
Vieille Canaille
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrckFcW2CAk
Lola Rastaquouere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOyMn6kp67o

1981 : Mauvaises nouvelles des étoiles
Overses Telegram
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVicXte2YZ8
La nostalgie camarade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNF96mukoVQ

1984 : Love on the Beat
Love on the Beat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1ONRpYDkhA
Sorry Angel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsdldTOXWms
No comment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEyyvrugwDY
Lemon Incest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE06lqT0Y2g

1987 : You are under arrest
Gloomy Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXJZfUcIHFk
Aux enfants de la chance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBD4uqKB2rQ
Mon Légionnaire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiTGEnaaaqw



Anna Karina - La noyée
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO2Ln4LWC9s
Brigitte Bardot - Contact
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX-RS5OrlGQ
Brigitte Bardot - Harley Davidson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxAKG2CuTGc
Catherine Deneuve - Dieu est un fumeur de Havane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMoElkv_QdU
Dani - Comme un boomerang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvhopsUrzlw
Dominique Walter - Les petits boudins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDWmkYwla40
France Gall - Laisse tomber les filles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMhO0Kfl5Ck
France Gall - Les sucettes (she never understand the double sens of the song, the poor girl)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M5eGGBEcz4
France Gall - Poupée de cire, poupée de son
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhUn1K3XpVA
Françoise Hardy - Comment te dire adieux
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma5BOoSpB4E
Isabelle Adjani - Beau oui, comme Bowie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRYPb5H6WVM
Isabelle Adjani - Pull Marine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy1yi7q8Rv4
Jane Birkin - La décadanse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHgind5qjkE
Jane Birkin - Jane B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbUUwJxpW88
Jane Birkin - Ex fan des sixties
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL0sG10w7_g
Jane Birkin - L'aquoiboniste
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yo9Y0WRUqc
Jane Birkin - Rocking Chair
Jane Birkin - Ballade de Johnny Jane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92I3tHXpz1Q
Jane Birkin - Les dessous chics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRVbtSCJL7o
Marianne Faithfull - Hier ou demain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Ey6sJJyZo
Michèle Arnaud - Les papillons noirs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciTVKm0XSqs
Mireille Darc - Hélicoptère
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvT62mAzwxU
Nico - Strip Tease
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryyzMPdZQVM
Petula Clark - La gadoue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdXJ8n_ZkO8
Régine - Les p'tits papiers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdlbYFd-WNc
Vanessa Paradis - Tandem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74c8j7rvfc8&feature=related


And I highly recommend to buy the "Le Cinema de Serge Gainsbourg" compilation.
Some of the OST :
Angoisse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMOfO-ylQ_w
Some small chance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0gEQ0CKZJs
Woom woom woom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A0XeLbSPrw
Cannabis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gGXZ_wo9lg
Sex Shop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsB_CasDuaA
Goodbye Emmanuelle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmDzBDY68SA
Sea sex and sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lsVsg4wyk4


If I can make discover some songs at at least one person I'd be happy.

Someone for remove this !
Thanks.

You want the topic deleted?

No thanks, I don't understand why two topics appeared ! thanks you for cancelling the other.

Today, I found myself in the mood to relisten "L'Homme à tête de chou". I think I've listened so much to "Melody Nelson" now that I know it nearly by heart, so I wanted to listen to THE other Gainsbourg "classics". This might sound strange to a non-french music listener, who might favour a chanson or "Initials BB" period song or album, but this is how it is here.

My mind was blown away. I realised that I've discovered many new musical horizons, and AM.net is in many ways responsible for it (thanks Henrik!), but I didn't take the time to come back to this album before. The scenario begins identically to Melody Nelson (an old man falls in love with a young girl), and it turns bad, but not in the same way.

I read somewhere that although Melody Nelson is considered the "musically" superior album, L'Homme is often seen as the "lyrically" superior one. And it's not hard for Melody : the music is sparse, minimalistic, nearly anecdotic on L'Homme which sounds much more like Gainsbourg reciting his story than singing it (maybe only Alain Bashung's "Play Blessures" is that musically minimalistic in the french scene). That's why some feel the album is boring, or that he went only half-way on it, not taking the time to adjust music and lyrics.

But it might have been a shame, for the lyrics to be changed, since "the flow" sounds so perfect to a french-speaking ear. It is full of play on words, pop culture references, absurdities (the whole Lewis Carroll thing on the song "Variations sur Marilou"; the Flash Forward shock when the hero discovers about Marilou's real nature...), and more, I can think of no other french artists who tackles the sex subject as crudely as Serge does here. It might look strange for the land where Paris, the so-called City of Love, is, but it seems that when it comes to sex in pop culture, french people react with hostility.

That can be understood here; this hallucinatory trip (Transit à Marilou; Premiers symptômes...) ends in the murder of the old man's girl, who believed he was Marilou's lover, only to discover that she had a completely free sexuality. Sounds way too crude for the time. Even in the post-De Gaulle period, french society still remained highly conservative. One can only see the whole "Aux armes etc." scandal 3 years later.

That's no surprise this album got "lost in translation" against other Gainsbourg works, and there is few other answers to the problem than telling people to try their best to understand the lyrics, and even this won't be enough. An iconic song ? Only the masterpiece "Variations sur Marilou" comes to my mind, a long poem about Marilou's sex ways.

Melody Nelson is probably the best french rock album ever. But L'Homme is really a serious contender, and "Variations" a likely candidate for Gainsbourg's best song. At least, here are his best lyrics. Sorry to spam you with that review, but I felt I was in the mood to talk about it after listening to the album. Goodbye!

Allmusic's page for "L'Homme à tête de chou":

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hnfpxquhldke

I love Serge Gainsbourg! Glad to see that others do too. I made a video of me singing "Nous ne sommes pas des anges". I don't speak any French so any advice on any parts that are particularly dire would be appreciated!

http://youtu.be/mBjz88sHzE0

My Own Role - The Lyrics of Serge Gainsbourg in English
http://www.myownrole.com/