maandag 3 juli 2006

Elisa

This post started off with a version of Serge's Elisa, send to me and sung by the wonderful Audrey Levy, she of Melody Nelson-blogfame. Yes, a part from hosting parties, discovering new bands and dj'ing, 'the French Holly Golightly' also sings. And very well, I might add. Elisa was recorded with Big Apple-based alt.rockers Die Romantik. But fear not, no whining guys over strumming guitars, it's a happy duet that's as upbeat as the original. The song (about a 40-year old guy who asks his 20-year old girlfriend to pick the lice from his head while he is, let's say, servicing her) is from 1969, and has been covered twice by Jane Birkin. For her Versions Jane-album, with a grunge-rock backing, and as a duet with Arno Hintjens. Julien Clerc did a overjoyed version for a live album, while the Pierre Alain Goualch-trio turned the song inside out for a very interesting jazz-take. In 1995, Vanessa Paradis and Gerard Depardieu starred in a movie that was named after, and inspired by the song.

Serge Gainsbourg - Elisa
Die Romantik feat. Audrey*Melody Nelson - Elisa
Jane Birkin - Elisa
Jane Birkin & Arno - Elisa
Julien Clerc - Elisa
Pierre Alain Goualch Trio - Elisa
(Goualch really enjoys this post!)

11 opmerkingen:

  1. You do realise that the lice-picking bit means something completely different, right?

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  2. The short version, most probably oral sex in this case, with the man kneeling.

    Saute-moi au cou means 'jump into my arms', but ' sit on me' isn't too far away.

    My suspicion of the latter comes from someone Serge admired very much, Georges Brassens:
    http://jcd66.free.fr/Brassens/trompettes.htm

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  3. lice-picking... oral sex. Vive la difference, or something.

    Love this blog, no matter what the songs are about.

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  4. i dont think die romantik are goth rockers :)

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  5. Okay, so I exaggarated a li'l. I'll change it into alt.rock, okay?

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  6. AnYhing else from PIERRE ALAIN GOUALCH TRIO please?

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  7. I totally agree with sharing my music, no problem at all what you read on my blog was ironic :)
    Video version of Elisa here:
    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/44627

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