"La Javanaise" is a song written and composed by Serge Gainsbourg originally for Juliette Gréco, and interpreted by both her and Gainsbourg in 1963. The first recordings of both artists constituted the B-sides of each of the two 45s. The title is a pun playing on the Parisian java dance and the javanais argot. The song heavily employs unaltered French words that naturally have an ⟨av⟩ sequence; thus the lyrics resemble the argot.

"La Javanaise"
Single by
Serge Gainsbourg or
Juliette Gréco
Released1963
Recorded1963
GenreChanson
LabelPhilips
Songwriter(s)Serge Gainsbourg

Background

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In 1962, Gréco and Gainsbourg spent a summer's evening listening to records and drinking champagne in the huge lounge at 33, rue de Verneuil. The next day, he sent her La Javanaise. Gréco had debuted it in March 1963 by placing it at the beginning of her cabaret tour La Tête de l'art.[1]

Recording information

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  • Gainsbourg recording:
    • Recording date: January 1963 at Studio Fontana (London)
    • Arrangements and conducting: Harry Robinson
    • Producer: Jacques Plait
    • Format: 45 rpm EP Philips 432-862 (Title: "Vilaine fille mauvais garçon")
    • Duration: 2:29
    • Release date: March 1963[1]
  • Gréco recording:
  • Publishers: Warner Chappell Music Publishing, Melody Nelson Publishing

In films

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Source: volume 6 of L'Éternel Féminin by Juliette Gréco (Mercury, 2003).
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