La Recette de L'amour Fou

Serge Gainsbourg's song "La Recette de L'amour Fou" ("The Recipe for Mad Love") is a clever and satirical take on the complexities of romantic relationships. The song is structured as a recipe, using culinary metaphors to describe the steps one should take to handle a lover. This approach not only adds a humorous twist but also highlights the often mechanical and calculated nature of love and seduction.

In the first verse, Gainsbourg introduces the idea of treating a tender heart like a dish to be prepared. The instructions to let the heart sit on a canapé and relax, followed by playing Chopin on the piano, suggest a romantic and sophisticated setting. However, the twist comes when the lover is advised to throw the heart out if it falls asleep, indicating a lack of genuine interest or passion.

The second verse continues with the culinary metaphor, advising to let the heart simmer for three-quarters of an hour, making the lover wait. This waiting game is a test of patience and interest. If the heart hasn't left by then, it is considered 'cooked,' or fully invested. Yet again, if the heart falls asleep, it is to be discarded, emphasizing the importance of keeping the lover engaged and awake.

In the final verse, the song suggests creating an intimate and tender atmosphere by dimming the lights and playing the farce of grand love, using words like 'never' and 'always' to heighten the emotional stakes. The culmination of this act is to 'consume' the love on a canapé, but if the heart falls asleep afterward, it is to be thrown out. This recurring theme of discarding the heart if it falls asleep underscores the fleeting and often superficial nature of the romantic games people play.

Gainsbourg's use of culinary terms to describe romantic interactions serves as a critique of the performative aspects of love, where genuine emotions are often overshadowed by calculated moves and tests. The song's playful yet cynical tone invites listeners to reflect on the authenticity of their own romantic endeavors.