Histoire de Melody Nelson
Released: 1971

Histoire de Melody Nelson

by Serge Gainsbourg

The 333rd greatest album of all time

Histoire de Melody Nelson is a 1971 concept album by Serge Gainsbourg that fuses rock, art pop, baroque pop and pop rock into a short, cinematic narrative. The record pairs Gainsbourg's half-spoken, half-sung narration with the breathy vocal presence of Jane Birkin and features lush string arrangements and orchestration by Jean-Claude Vannier, prominent bass-driven grooves, and a moody, nocturnal atmosphere. Its concise, continuous storyline and distinctive production give it a vignette-like quality that has been influential within art pop and baroque pop circles.

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