Serge Gainsbourg Ranked
This is, simply, a ranking of every Serge Gainsbourg studio album in order of rmy personal preference. |
| 16 | | Serge Gainsbourg
You're Under Arrest
It's 1987, and it's the year of Serge Gainsbourg's final album. It's by no means
horrible, but the production is dreadfully dated and difficult to enjoy in places. This
is also a problem on his previous album, but Love On The Beat also had stronger
songs. Only "Aux Enfants De La Chance" is a true Gainsbourg-classic here. |
| 15 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Gainsbourg Confidentiel
A very sparse record. Although it has the great "Chez Les Ye-Ye", the very basic
jazz arrangements quickly grow tiresome with some songs that aren't really strong
enough to warrant repeated listening. Still decent, but as an entire album it's not
particularly strong. |
| 14 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Du Chant A La Une
Serge's debut album, dating from 1958. Although it has some tremendous tracks,
including the ever-popular "Le Poinconneur Des Lilas", you can tell it's early days in
Serge's burgeoning career. |
| 13 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
No. 2
A solid album, but as Serge's sophomore effort, you can tell that Gainsbourg is yet
to reach the literary heights that would come in the near future. |
| 12 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Rock Around The Bunker
A chirpy tribute to the fall of Nazi Germany set to 1950's rock and roll. Gainsbourg is
essentially exorcising demons from his childhood with this effort, which - while fun
and fairly solid on a song-by-song basis - does get repetitive in places. Features a
rare example of Serge singing in English, on a cover of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". |
| 11 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Love On The Beat
The penultimate Gainsbourg record - and one of his most controversial. Although
loaded with great tracks such as "Sorry Angel", "Harley David Son Of A Bitch" and
the title song, it's production is dated and sounds tinny and soulless. Although
highly unlikely, a stripped down re-release would be tremendous. |
| 10 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Mauvaises Nouvelles Des Etoiles
Serge's second reggae album. Although reuniting with The I-Threes and Sly &
Robbie, Mauvaises - though a solid effort - never quite matches up to it's
predecessor. Aux Armes was loaded with great tracks, but only "Ecce Homo" from
this album truly matches up to Aux Armes. |
| 9 | | Serge Gainsbourg
L'Etonnant Serge Gainsbourg
Gainsbourg's first album of the 1960's, L'Etonnant opens with the timeless "La
Chanson De Prevert" and never lets up. You can smell the Gitanes on Serge's
breath as you listen. |
| 8 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
No. 4
The sort of album that goes perfectly with a packet of filterless cigarettes and a
bottle of Jack Daniels. Includes classics "Requiem Pour Un Twisteur" and
"Intoxicated Man". |
| 7 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Aux Armes Et Caetera
Gainsbourg does reggae, and not by half-measures either. This was recorded in
Jamaica with Sly & Robbie and The I-Threes, and this lends the album an aura of
legitimacy, even if was written and recorded by a 51-year old white Frenchman.
Surprisingly good. |
| 6 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Initials BB
One of Serge's most famous records, and one that probably should be higher in this
list. Psychedelic pop at it's best and the first album of Gainsbourg's "golden era".
Includes his famous duets with Brigitte Bardot, including "Bonnie & Clyde". |
| 5 | | Serge Gainsbourg
Vu De L'Exterieur
The soft rock album Elton John wished he wrote. A series of nice, piano based rock
tracks with a specific focus on the less attractive parts of human anatomy.
Includes one of Gainsbourg's most popular tracks "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'En
Vais" |
| 4 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Gainsbourg Percussions
The occasional plagiarism of Babatunde Olatunji aside, this was Gainsbourg's first
truly great record and revolves around a marriage of chanson and African rhythm so
surprisingly good effect. |
| 3 | | Serge Gainsbourg
Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg
The very epitome of Swinging Paris, with a collection of saucy duets that is
probably illegal in some corners of the planet. The jewel of this Gallic crown is, of
course, Gainsbourg's global hit "Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus". |
| 2 | | Serge Gainsbourg
L'Homme A Tete De Chou
Another hugely influential record. A bizarre rock opera, but one that sounds far
newer than 1976. The track "Premiers Symptomes" is the prototype for electronica. |
| 1 |  | Serge Gainsbourg
Histoire de Melody Nelson
This is practically everyone's favourite Gainsbourg album. Cutting-edge, avant-
garde and immeasurably cool. It's influence cannot be understated. Not a single
moment is wasted. |
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