Cityzen Green

Some thoughts on Serge

What is it about Serge Gainsbourg that is just so "impossibly cool" (a blog devoted to such pursuits, The Impossible Cool, is a favorite around here..)? Serge, that naughty Frenchman with the crooked face and elegantly wasted style was unique en son genre- a chip off a block that had crooners before him, bien sur, but his ability to move around musical genres and controversy was second to none- there was an air of comedy, tragedy, and sexiness all rolled into one- and though he never really made it in the states, his paean to his gorgeous wife and style icon Jane Birkin (yes, she inspired the famous Birkin bag) "Je t'aime...moi non plus" is an oft cited example of why French people are known for their sexual prowess. And who could forget his drunken TV appearances, especially the one where he made a young Whitney Houston squirm with his over the top innuendos and overtures? Besides all of that, his style was legendary- rakish, rumpled, somehow impeccable despite the permanent cigarette and alcohol habit. He was not classically handsome, rather, infinitely masculine yet sensitive at the same time. And his most important accessory? A beautiful woman on his arm, naturally, of which there were many, though Jane was the great love of his life, even though they separated prior to his death. Serge had that thing- that French thing that has Americans who go to Paris wondering how the men manage to look so damn cool- like they had just made passionate love to a beautiful woman, rolled out of bed, lit a cigarette, and got on with their day. It's an art, that look, and Serge surely had a big hand in perfecting, and inspiring it. He was uniquely French, a trailblazer in terms of his forays into almost all genres of music, and his effortless style that instantly made him cooler than anyone else. Today, channel a bit of the Serge, and see what ensues- we can't guaranteed the attention of hot leggy British women, but give it a shot.