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Lemon Incest
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Wikipedia article
"'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'. It was controversial because of its theme, but nevertheless successful, reaching number 2 on the French charts.
Lyrics, music and video
The title is a play on words in French in the chorus between "Un zeste de citron" ("A twist of lemon") and "Inceste de citron" ("lemon incest").
The music is based on tude Op. 10, No. 3 in E major by Frdric Chopin.
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 liberties with the melody".Elia Habib, 'Muz hit. tubes', p. 55,56 The background vocals are sung by The Simms Brothers Band.
The music video shows Gainsbourg, shirtless and in jeans, and Charlotte, wearing a shirt and panties, lying on a bed.
Controversy
The song caused a scandal as it was accused of glamorising pedophilia and incest. Charlotte, who then was thirteen, sings ambiguous lyrics seeming to refer to an impossible physical love between an adult and his 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 denied these allegations in the media.Serge Gainsbourg, by Hubert Bregent [http://www.fdaf.org/theme_gainsbourg.htm Fdaf.org] (Retrieved October 3, 2008) In an interview in 2010, Charlotte defended her decision to record the track, though acknowledging it was a "provocation".[http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8476000/8476455.stm 'I didn't like feeling fragile'] BBC. 23 January 2010
Chart performances
On the French Singles Chart, the single went straight to number seven on 26 October 1985. It climbed to number six for two weeks, then reached number two and stayed there for four consecutive weeks, being unable to dislodge the two number-one hits Century's "Lover Why" and Jean-Jacques Goldman and Michael Jones' "Je te donne". It then began to fall on the chart. The song totalled 10 weeks in the top 10 and 18 weeks in the top 50.
Uses in media
The track is also used in the 2009 film 'Genova'.
Track listings
7-inch 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 Znith 1988) by Serge Gainsbourg 4:04
Charts
Certifications
References
Category:1984 songs
Category:1985 singles
Category:Charlotte Gainsbourg songs
Category:Incest in fiction
Category:Obscenity controversies in music
Category:Serge Gainsbourg songs
Category:Songs written by Serge Gainsbourg
Category:Malefemale vocal duets
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