No matter how provocative, edgy and anti-hero the guy was, every French person of every age loved and still loves Serge. He isn't like anyone else. For many French people, Gainsbourg belongs to their national heritage such as wine, the Tour de France, gastronomy and the Eiffel Tower. His influence in pop music is therefore enormous. Numerous national and international artists of today are indebted to him, including Beck, Air, Nouvelle Vague, Sonic Youth, Vive La Fête and Goldfrapp. He was both a top composer and a top lyricist with a real gift for wordplay. It's the late fifties/early sixties that the world became acquainted with Gainsbourg's brilliant songs like "La Poinçonneur Des Lilas", "L'Eau A La Bouche" and "Black Trombone".