Serge Gainsbourg was a French singer-songwriter, composer and producer known for his provocative style and genre-hopping creativity. His work moved through jazz, chanson, pop, reggae and electronic experimentation, often reshaping French popular music with bold arrangements and lyrical wit. Gainsbourg collaborated with many notable performers, including Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, helping create some of his most recognisable recordings. His output combined sophistication with controversy, and he became a key cultural figure in European music for his originality, influence and boundary-pushing approach to songwriting and production.