Initials B.B.
Serge Gainsbourg
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Une nuit que j’étais A me morfondre Dans quelque pub anglais Du cœur de Londres Parcourant l’Amour Monstre de Pauwels Me vint une vision Dans l’eau de Seltz Tandis que des médailles D’impérator Font briller à sa taille Le bronze et l’or Le platine lui grave D’un cercle froid La marque des esclaves A chaque doigt Jusques en haut des cuisses Elle est bottée Et c’est comme un calice A sa beauté Elle ne porte rien D’autre qu’un peu D’essence de Guerlain Dans les cheveux A chaque mouvement On entendait Les clochettes d’argent De ses poignets Agitant ses grelots Elle avança Et prononça ce mot Alméria
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Written by: Serge Gainsbourg
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
21 facts about this song
Creation"Initials B.B." was written and performed by French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg.
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InspirationThe song was inspired by Gainsbourg's relationship with Brigitte Bardot, a famous French actress, singer, and fashion model. The initials "B.B." in the title stand for Brigitte Bardot.
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Album"Initials B.B." was the title track of Gainsbourg's 1968 album.
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GenreThe song is categorized as French pop music, and is characterized by its lush orchestration and intense lyrics.
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Cultural Impact"Initials B.B." is widely considered a classic of French pop music and is one of Gainsbourg's most famous songs.
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StyleGainsbourg uses the orchestral backdrop to heighten the emotional intensity of the lyrics detailing his heartbreak due to the end of his affair with Bardot.
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Cover VersionsMany notable artists over the decades have covered the song, including famed musicians like Mick Harvey and Marianne Faithfull.
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RevivalThe song experienced a revival in the late 1990s, when it was used in an advert for Guinness, a famous beer brand, which increased its familiarity with a new generation of listeners.
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InfluenceGainsbourg's narrative style and dramatic orchestration in "Initials B.B." influenced other pop musicians worldwide and played a significant role in shaping future music trends.
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SymbolismThe song’s lyrics use the season of spring as a metaphor for the blossoming and eventual end of Gainsbourg's relationship with Bardot.
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Genre"Initials B.B." is a unique blend of French pop and orchestral music, showcasing Serge Gainsbourg's love for experimenting with different music styles.
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InspirationThe song was heavily inspired by Gainsbourg's love affair with the French actress Brigitte Bardot. The title "Initials B.B." directly refers to Bardot's initials.
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ReleaseIt was released in 1968, serving as a key representation of Gainsbourg's provocative style in music and personalities of the era.
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Album AppearanceThis track is also the title song for Gainsbourg's eighth studio album, "Initials B.B.", which reflects his transition from a conventional chansonnier to a more daring songwriter.
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LyricsThe poetic lyrics of "Initials B.B." are widely discussed and interpreted, given Gainsbourg's reputation as a gifted lyricist. The song is seen as a heart-wrenching tribute to his emotional bond with Bardot.
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OrchestrationThe song's orchestral elements show Gainsbourg's fascination with classical music. In fact, the song contains elements from "Dido's Lament" from the Baroque opera "Dido and Aeneas" by Henry Purcell.
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LegacyGainsbourg's "Initials B.B." remains a landmark in French pop culture. The phrase "Initials B.B." is still synonymous with Brigitte Bardot in France and across the world.
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Music VideoThe original music video for "Initials B.B." is a black and white piece directed by famous French director Jean-Christophe Averty.
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Cover Versions"Initials B.B." has been covered by several artists over the years, including Mick Harvey, repeating its influence and popularity.
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LanguageDespite Gainsbourg's occasional use of the English language in his other songs, "Initials B.B." is performed entirely in French. It showcases his mastery of the French language and his ability to imbue it with profound emotion.
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Bardot's ReactionAlthough the song was inspired by and dedicated to Brigitte Bardot, her response to it was not publicly documented, adding a layer of enigma to the song's backstory.
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Citation
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"Initials B.B. Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/15483073/Serge+Gainsbourg/Initials+B.B.>.
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