Last week, Jane Birkin was found dead at her Paris home. She was 76, with her death coming as a surprise to many fans who were anticipating a planned tour of performances.

Birkin caused a furor in 1969 when she recorded her most famous song, “Je t’aime … moi non plus”, with Serge Gainsbourg. As a hymn of the sexual revolution, the song at first was banned by radio stations of various countries, including the BBC.

Birkin, with an indelible legacy as a film and fashion icon and as the likely inspirator of the “Bond Girl,” also leaves behind a number of unforgettable French chansons, many of which were written by Gainsbourg even after the two separated as a couple.

For Music of the Week, we have chosen “Fuir le bonheur de peur qu’il ne se sauve” (“Running away from happiness for fear it will run away from me”), not least for its captivating lyrics.

Fuir le bonheur de peur qu'il ne se sauve
Que le ciel azuré ne vire au mauve
Penser ou passer à autre chose
Vaudrait mieux 
[…]
Fuir le bonheur de peur qu'il ne se sauve
Comme une petite souris dans un coin d'alcôve
Apercevoir le bout de sa queue rose
Ses yeux fiévreux 
[…]
Fuir le bonheur de peur qu'il ne se sauve
Dis-moi que tu m'aimes encore si tu l'oses
J'aimerais que tu te trouves autre chose
De mieux

Related:

Fuir le bonheur de peur qu’il ne se sauve (Wikipedia)

Jane Birkin on Wikipedia

From the archives: The Iconic Jane Birkin (CBS Sunday Morning)

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