Name: Histoire De Melody Nelson
Brand: Serge Gainsbourg

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

LITA 040-clear

Colour

Clear

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: Yes

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2024-03-01

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Light in the Attic

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

826853401104

Total Cap

Clear LP

LITA 040-blue

Blue

Transparent Blue/White

826853401203

Blue LP

Artist

Serge Gainsbourg

Genre US

Rest of World

Label US

Light In The Attic

Our curated collection of essential albums on vinyl, CD, and tape at Rough Trade.

Rough Trade Essential

Serge Gainsbourg (April 2, 1928 – March 2, 1991) was a multi-talented artist known for his work as a poet, singer-songwriter, painter, actor and director. Born in Paris to Jewish Russian parents, Gainsbourg initially aspired to be a painter but found success as a piano player in bars. He reluctantly took on singing roles and went on to become a renowned composer and producer.

Gainsbourg drew inspiration from Boris Vian and sought to break free from traditional French chanson music by exploring other genres like British and American pop. He also wrote soundtracks for over 40 movies and directed four films himself. Notably, his song "Je t'aime... moi non plus" featuring simulated sounds of female orgasm caused controversy and censorship upon its release.

His songs were often interpreted by British torch singer Petula Clark, while Dionne Warwick's version of "Mamadou" became the first English-language adaptation of one of Gainsbourg's songs. His concept album "Histoire de Melody Nelson," produced by Jean-Claude Vannier, has had a lasting influence on artists such as Air, David Holmes, and Beck.

In 1978, Gainsbourg collaborated with Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, and Rita Marley to create a reggae version of the French national anthem "La Marseillaise." This rendition sparked

Newest Listed Items

Brimming with lust, drama, and dark humor, HISTORIE DE MELODY NELSON is widely acknowledged as Gainsbourg's masterpiece. The 1971 release was criminally ignored outside France-despite the godfather of French pop's decade of cutting-edge songwriting. It's now something of a cult classic, and artists as diverse as Air, Nick Cave, and Portishead have all cited the album as an influence. Don't be put off by the "concept album" tag. There are no goblins here. Instead, Gainsbourg concentrates on his favourite subjects-sex and death. The story line concerns a chance meeting between a middle-aged man and a teenage girl that develops into a passionate affair. Never one to shy away from controversy, Gainsbourg plays his character with consummate sleaze. Remember, this man wrote the playfully obscene "Les Sucettes" for young, innocent France Gall (who thought she was singing about lollypops). Most of the lyrics are intoned in Serge's seedy seductive whisper, intertwined perfectly with the cinematic music. From the slow, smoky funk of "Melody" through intricately arranged ballads and the final apocalyptic "Cargo Culte" (featuring a 70-strong choir), there's never a dull moment. In lesser hands, this would be an overblown mess. MELODY NELSON, in its subtlety and invention, remains a testament to Gainsbourg's genius.

Histoire De Melody Nelson

Music US

Discover Histoire De Melody Nelson by Serge Gainsbourg. Brimming with lust, drama, and dark humor, this cult classic LP is a testament to Gainsbourg's genius. Available in multiple formats from Light In The Attic.