Lemon Incest
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| ==Lyrics, music and video== | ==Lyrics, music and video== | ||
| - | The background vocals are sung by The Simms Brothers Band. The music is inspired by the [[étude]] n° 3, named "Tristesse", in E major, [[Opus number|Op.]] 10, by [[Frédéric Chopin]]. The Chopin tune is commonly played at weddings and is often featured in collections of wedding music because of its romantic style. The title is a play on words in [[French-language|French]] in the chorus between "Un zeste de citron" ("A lemon zest") and "Inceste de citron"("lemon incest"). The verses sung by Charlotte "are quickly short of breath and lack to give a relief to the singing which is beautiful nevertheless". Gainsbourg sings with "a repetitive phrasing which takes some distances with the melody".<ref>Elia Habib, ''Muz hit. tubes'', p. 55,56 (ISBN 2-9518832-0-X)</ref> | + | The background vocals are sung by The Simms Brothers Band. The music is inspired by the [[étude]] n° 3, named "Tristesse", in E major, [[Opus number|Op.]] 10, by [[Frédéric Chopin]]. The Chopin tune is commonly played at weddings and is often featured in collections of wedding music because of its romantic style. The title is a play on words in [[French-language|French]] in the chorus between "Un zeste de citron" ("A lemon zest") and "Inceste de citron"("lemon incest"). The verses sung by Charlotte "are quickly short of breath and lack to give a relief to the singing which is beautiful nevertheless". Gainsbourg sings with "a repetitive phrasing which takes some distances with the melody". |
| The music video shows Gainsbourg, shirtless and in jeans, and Charlotte, wearing a shirt and panties, lying on a bed. | The music video shows Gainsbourg, shirtless and in jeans, and Charlotte, wearing a shirt and panties, lying on a bed. | ||
| ==Controversy== | ==Controversy== | ||
| - | This song has caused a scandal as it was accused of glamorising [[paedophilia]] and [[incest]]. Charlotte, who then was twelve, sings ambiguous lyrics seeming to refer to a physical love between an adult and a child. In addition, the relationship between the two singers is the same as the protagonists of the song, which led to suspicions on the autobiographical nature of the work. Serge Gainsbourg denied these allegations in the media.<ref>Serge Gainsbourg, by Hubert Bregent [http://www.fdaf.org/theme_gainsbourg.htm Fdaf.org] (Retrieved October 3, 2008)</ref> Charlotte Gainsbourg recently defended her decision to record the track, though acknowledging it was a "provocation".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8476000/8476455.stm 'I didn't like feeling fragile'] BBC. 23 January 2010</ref> | + | This song has caused a scandal as it was accused of glamorising [[paedophilia]] and [[incest]]. Charlotte, who then was twelve, sings ambiguous lyrics seeming to refer to a physical love between an adult and a child. In addition, the relationship between the two singers is the same as the protagonists of the song, which led to suspicions on the autobiographical nature of the work. Serge Gainsbourg denied these allegations in the media. Charlotte Gainsbourg recently defended her decision to record the track, though acknowledging it was a "provocation". |
| ==Chart performances== | ==Chart performances== | ||
| - | The single went straight to #7 on October 26, 1985. It climbed to #6 for two weeks, then reached #2 and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, being unable to dislodge the successive two number-one hits [[Century (band)|Century]]'s "Lover Why" and [[Jean-Jacques Goldman]] and [[Michael Jones (musician)|Michael Jones]]' "[[Je te donne]]". Then it kept on dropping on the chart and totalled ten weeks in the top ten and 18 in the top 50.<ref name="Lescharts">"Lemon Incest", French Singles Chart [http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?key=74610&cat=s Lescharts.com] (Retrieved October 3, 2008)</ref> | + | The single went straight to #7 on October 26, 1985. It climbed to #6 for two weeks, then reached #2 and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, being unable to dislodge the successive two number-one hits [[Century (band)|Century]]'s "Lover Why" and [[Jean-Jacques Goldman]] and [[Michael Jones (musician)|Michael Jones]]' "[[Je te donne]]". Then it kept on dropping on the chart and totalled ten weeks in the top ten and 18 in the top 50. |
| - | To date, the song is the 630th best-selling single of all time in France.<ref>Best-selling singles of all time in France [http://www.infodisc.fr/S_ToutTemps.php?debut=600 Infodisc.fr] (Retrieved October 3, 2008)</ref> | + | To date, the song is the 630th best-selling single of all time in France. |
| ==Uses in media== | ==Uses in media== | ||
| - | The track is also used in the 2009 film ''[[Genova (film)|Genova]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indymedia.be/nl/node/33920 |title=Genova: "Genova, mon amour" |publisher=Indy Media |date=7 March 2009 |accessdate=8 January 2010}}</ref> | + | The track is also used in the 2009 film ''[[Genova (film)|Genova]]''. |
| ==Track listings== | ==Track listings== | ||
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| ! bgcolor="#ebf5ff"|Physical sales | ! bgcolor="#ebf5ff"|Physical sales | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| - | |France<ref>French certifications [http://www.chartsinfrance.net/certifications/artiste-561.htm Chartsinfrance.net] (Retrieved October 3, 2008)</ref> | + | |France |
| |align="center"|Gold | |align="center"|Gold | ||
| |align="center"|1985 | |align="center"|1985 | ||
Revision as of 12:33, 26 August 2011
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"Lemon Incest" is a song written, composed and performed by Serge Gainsbourg in duet with his daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg. Recorded in 1984, the song was released as a single from Gainsbourg's album Love on the Beat in 1985. It is also available on Charlotte's 1986 album Charlotte for Ever. Deemed as controversial at the time, the song achieved success in France.
Contents |
Lyrics, music and video
The background vocals are sung by The Simms Brothers Band. The music is inspired by the étude n° 3, named "Tristesse", in E major, Op. 10, by Frédéric Chopin. The Chopin tune is commonly played at weddings and is often featured in collections of wedding music because of its romantic style. The title is a play on words in French in the chorus between "Un zeste de citron" ("A lemon zest") and "Inceste de citron"("lemon incest"). The verses sung by Charlotte "are quickly short of breath and lack to give a relief to the singing which is beautiful nevertheless". Gainsbourg sings with "a repetitive phrasing which takes some distances with the melody".
The music video shows Gainsbourg, shirtless and in jeans, and Charlotte, wearing a shirt and panties, lying on a bed.
Controversy
This song has caused a scandal as it was accused of glamorising paedophilia and incest. Charlotte, who then was twelve, sings ambiguous lyrics seeming to refer to a physical love between an adult and a child. In addition, the relationship between the two singers is the same as the protagonists of the song, which led to suspicions on the autobiographical nature of the work. Serge Gainsbourg denied these allegations in the media. Charlotte Gainsbourg recently defended her decision to record the track, though acknowledging it was a "provocation".
Chart performances
The single went straight to #7 on October 26, 1985. It climbed to #6 for two weeks, then reached #2 and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, being unable to dislodge the successive two number-one hits Century's "Lover Why" and Jean-Jacques Goldman and Michael Jones' "Je te donne". Then it kept on dropping on the chart and totalled ten weeks in the top ten and 18 in the top 50.
To date, the song is the 630th best-selling single of all time in France.
Uses in media
The track is also used in the 2009 film Genova.
Track listings
- 7" single
- "Lemon Incest"
- "Hmm hmm hmm"
- CD maxi
- "Lemon Incest"
- "Hmm hmm hmm"
- "Lemon Incest" (video)
- CD single
- "Lemon Incest" — 5:12
- "Hey Man Amen" (Live Zénith 1988) by Serge Gainsbourg — 4:04
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Gold | 1985 | 200,000 | 477,000<ref>Gainsbourg's certifications and sales in France See: "Les Ventes" => "Toutes les certifications depuis 1973" => "GAINSBOURG Charlotte & Serge" Infodisc.fr (Retrieved October 3, 2008)</ref> |
Charts
| Chart (1985-1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French SNEP Singles Chart<ref name="Lescharts"/> | 2 |
