There are few names that carry an allure quite like Jane Birkin. Some might think of her performances in cult films like Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow-Up, or the Hermès Birkin bag which was inspired by her signature “carry-all” basket, but Birkin’s legacy goes further than that – above all, it is defined by the indelible mark she left on the music world.
Born in 1946 in London, Birkin went on to spend much of her life in France; a country where she would eventually become a citizen, and receive the French National Order of Merit twice, in 2004 and 2015. It’s here that she met Serge Gainsbourg, the French pop star she would go on to marry and collaborate with on some of her most iconic records. Her ethereal voice resonated with audiences worldwide, and earned her a place as one of the most iconic figures of the Chanson Française. In memory of Birkin, let’s take a look at some highlights of her musical career.
“Je t’aime… moi non plus” (1969)
Birkin collaborated with Serge Gainsbourg on the song “Je t’aime… moi non plus” in 1969. Having met each other while Birkin was on a trip to France, they later became one of the most legendary duos in the music industry. This erotic pop song was considered scandalous at the time, being banned on the radio for its provocative lyrics and suggestive nature. That didn’t stop it, however, from shooting up to no.1 in the charts, solidifying Birkin’s presence in the music industry. The track not only became a cultural phenomenon, but also a symbol of freedom for listeners around the world.
Di Doo Dah (1973)
A few years later, in 1973, Birkin released Di Doo Dah –– her first solo album. Produced by Jean-Claude Vannier, who wrote the tracks alongside Gainsbourg, the album put a spotlight on Birkin’s ethereal vocals and complemented them with elements of jazz and rock. The title track, “Di Doo Dah,” enchanted listeners with its whimsical melodies and imaginative lyrics, marking the beginning of Birkin’s successful career as a solo artist.
Baby Alone in Babylone (1983)
With her third solo album, Baby Alone in Babylone, Birkin delivered a poignant collection of songs in collaboration with Gainsbourg and renowned songwriter Alain Chamfort. The album was Birkin’s first collaboration with Gainsbourg since their breakup three years before, and is marked by emotionally rich, atmospheric tracks. “Quoi” is the standout song on the album, which helped to solidify Birkin’s reputation as a major international artist.
Collaborations with Jean-Louis Murat
Birkin’s collaborations with the French musician Jean-Louis Murat stand as a testament to the magic created when two distinctive musical talents come together, a practice she continued throughout her career. In Au Palace (2009) and Filles Sourires (2011), Birkin’s mesmerizing vocals intertwine with Murat’s poetic compositions to produce two standout albums in her musical repertoire.
Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le symphonique (2017)
Although Gainsbourg died in 1991, his influence stayed with Birkin throughout her whole career. In 2017, she released Birkin/Gainsbourg: Le symphonique, an album that reimagined Gainsbourg’s iconic songs with orchestral arrangements. Collaborating with the London Symphony Orchestra, Birkin breathed new life into classics like “Lemon Incest” and “Jane B.” The album showcased her ability to reinterpret and infuse Gainsbourg’s compositions with a fresh, symphonic grandeur –– another testament to her legacy as a versatile and timeless artist.
On the 16th of July, 2023, the French Ministry of Culture announced that Birkin had died at 76 years old at her home in Paris. Her profound impact on the realm of music, from her delicately powerful vocals to her aptitude for musical collaboration, remains a timeless source of inspiration for generations of fans, musicians and music lovers around the world.
