La Poupee Qui Fait Non

I can remember seeing this on The Jools Holland Show in 1993 and it was my first introduction to St Ettiene, who rather perversely chose to perform a cover version of a song by Michel Polnareff, titled "La Poupee Qui Fait Non, Non, Non".



Exquisite performance and here with a dash of true Gallic eccentricity is the video that was made to promote this song when Polnareff, who indeed did "wear some dodgy suits" released the song in 1966. Whereas Polnareff's sartorial gender bending was something of a style statement, the shades were more of a necessity as Polnareff was dogged by exceedingly light sensitive eyesight, which eventually required him to undergo cataract surgery at the relatively early age of fifty.



Both videos are engaging and whereas the original is truly bizarre, the St Ettiene rendition complete with drummer that looks as if he has only recently been dragged from his bed, is hauntingly beautiful.