Mick Harvey – Intoxicated Women, Mute Records
Serge Gainsbourg
“‘Intoxicated Women’ opens with a stunning version of ‘Je T’aime… (Moi non plus)’ – here titled ‘Ich Liebe Dich… (Ich Dich Auch Nicht)’ – rendered in the sexiest imaginable German by the divine Ms. Schroeder …” Mute Records
The song “Ich Liebe Dich…Ich Dich Auch Nicht” is part of the album “Intoxicated Women” by Mick Harvey, where Andrea Schroeder provided the vocals for the song. The track is a translation of the song “Je t’aime… moi non plus” by Serge Gainsbourg, with the translations for the album done by Mick Harvey with Lyndelle-Jayne Spruyt1.
The original song “Je t’aime… moi non plus” was written by Serge Gainsbourg in 1967 for Brigitte Bardot. However, due to controversy and Bardot’s request, the song was not released. Gainsbourg later recorded the song with Jane Birkin in 1968, and it was released in February 1969. The song was infamous for its overtly sexual content and was banned in several countries. Its title was inspired by a comment from Salvador Dalí and Gainsbourg claimed the song was about the “desperation and impossibility of physical love”2.
The German title of the song translates to “I Love You… I Don’t Love You Either”, which is a direct translation of the French original. The lyrics express a similar theme of intense physical love and the paradoxical nature of desire and rejection. The song talks about a love that is as deep and overwhelming as an unbroken wave, with repeated lines about “going and coming deep inside” and “then we are one”. The lyrics also express the frustration and futility of physical love, stating that “Physical love is hopeless”3.
Intoxicated Woman is the fourth solo album by Australian musician Mick Harvey. The album is a tribute to the French singer and songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who was known for his provocative and controversial lyrics. Harvey, who was a member of the alternative rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, was drawn to Gainsbourg’s music because of its dark and brooding quality, which he felt was reflected in his own work. The album features Harvey’s interpretations of many of Gainsbourg’s best-known songs, including “Je t’aime… moi non plus”. Intoxicated Woman is a beautifully crafted album, with Harvey’s rich baritone voice perfectly suited to the melancholic and often bittersweet nature of Gainsbourg’s music. The arrangements are minimalistic, featuring only Harvey’s voice, guitar, and piano, which gives the album a raw and intimate feel. Intoxicated Woman is a testament to the enduring appeal of Serge Gainsbourg’s music, and to the skill and artistry of Mick Harvey as a musician and interpreter. The album is a must-listen for fans of Gainsbourg and Harvey alike, and is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to one of the great songwriters of the 20th century.
“Intoxicated Women” is a studio album by Australian musician Mick Harvey, released on January 20, 2017, under Mute Records. The album features tracks, all written by Serge Gainsbourg, with translations by Mick Harvey and Lyndelle-Jayne Spruyt. The songs include “Ich Liebe Dich…Ich Dich Auch Nicht (Je t’aime… moi non plus)”, “All Day Suckers (Les sucettes)”, “Contact”, and others. A number of different artists provide vocals on the album, including Andrea Schroeder, Channthy Kak, Xanthe Waite, Jess Ribeiro, Sophia Brous1 and Solomon Harvey.
In terms of reception, it achieved a peak position on the Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) chart1. The album was the culmination of 22 years of dedication by Mick Harvey to interpreting the works of Serge Gainsbourg, and has been described as a fitting end as well as a promising jumping off point for future works2. The album was noted for having a more playful and irreverent approach to Gainsbourg’s music compared to Harvey’s earlier albums in the series, while still maintaining faithfulness to the originals2.
Many of the songs on “Intoxicated Women” were either written as duets or particularly for women, and Harvey collaborated with a host of artists to realize this. Some of the songs were originally recorded by France Gall, including “Dents de Lait, Dents de Loup” and “Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son”, the latter of which was Gall’s triumphant Luxembourgian Eurovision entry. Another song, “Les Sucettes”, was controversial due to its suggestive lyrics, and in Harvey’s version, he chose not to duet with anyone, possibly to avoid the creepiness associated with the original song2.
One of the standout tracks on the album is the German rendition of “Je t’aime (moi non plus)”, titled “Ich Liebe Dich…Ich Dich Auch Nicht”, which is described as far more raunchy than Harvey’s earlier English rendition of the song. This version is noted for its confidence and the delight Harvey seems to take in reworking Gainsbourg’s music2.
