Serge Gainsbourg's Banned Songs Used in Perfume Ads

The songs of French chanteur Serge Gainsbourg exemplify overt sexuality and liberation. Undoubtedly, said songs have been the soundtracks to innumerable nights to conquest. Now, Gainsbourg’s songs will be used to hawk perfume.

Fashion houses Christian Dior and Guerlain have both announced that they will use Gainsbourg songs in television campaigns for Miss Dior and Shalimar respectively.

The Gainsbourg classic, “Je t'aime...Moi Non Plus" (incidentally once banned by both the Vatican and BBC for its suggestive nature) will provide the sultry soundtrack for the Miss Dior commercial. Starring Oscar-winner Natalie Portman, and directed by Sophia Coppola (yes, also Oscar-winner), the song has Gainsbourg’s quondam lover Jane Birkin, ostensibly overcome by the throes of passion. In the commercial, Portman sashays around a lavish Parisian apartment making sex-eyes at her handsome paramour.

In the Shalimar commercial, Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova rolls about in a tussled bed, as Gainsbourg sings “The Initials BB”.

Contrary to Gainsbourg’s belief that he had an unpleasant visage, the man had a laundry list of lovers, including Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot.

Despite his death in 1991, Gainsbourg’s popularity has never waned in France. His grave at Montparnasse Cemetery is a veritable shrine of flowers and cigarettes.

Gainsbourg had numerous children, including actress/singer Charlotte Gainsbourg whose mother is Jane Birkin. Most recently, Charlotte appears in Lars von Trier’s Melancholia along side Kirsten Dunst.