> At a Glance
> – Bardot’s name remains a staple in music lyrics.
> – Artists from Bob Dylan to Olivia Rodrigo reference her.
> – Her image symbolizes bombshell allure and controversy.
> – Why it matters: Her legacy lives on through pop culture, shaping how a 1960s icon is remembered.
Brigitte Bardot is a 1960s French sex symbol and activist whose name has become a recurring motif in music across decades. From Bob Dylan’s 1963 folk ballad to Olivia Rodrigo’s 2023 pop-punk track, her name appears in over a dozen songs, symbolizing both desire and controversy.
Bardot’s Musical Legacy
Her influence spans genres and eras, with early mentions in folk, protest, and French pop, and recent references in indie, rock, and pop-rap.
1960s-1970s
The first wave of Bardot references came from the 1960s and early 1970s, when her image was fresh in popular consciousness.
- “I Shall Be Free” – Bob Dylan (1963) – Dylan mentions Bardot among other icons in a lyrical shout-out.
- “Alegría, Alegría” – Caetano Veloso (1967) – The protest song references Bardot in a line about bombs and her.
- “Bonnie and Clyde” – Serge Gainsbourg and Bardot (1968) – A duet that blends Bardot’s persona with Gainsbourg’s songwriting.
- “I Think I’m Going to Kill Myself” – Elton John (1972) – Lyrics mention Bardot as a figure to see every night.
1980s-1990s
During the 1980s and 1990s, Bardot’s name surfaced in rock and pop tracks, often as a symbol of glamour.
- “Message of Love” – The Pretenders (1981) – Hynde sings Bardot in a line about love walking into the room.
- “We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Billy Joel (1989) – Bardot is listed among historical figures in Joel’s rapid-fire lyric.
- “Stratford-On-Guy” – Liz Phair (1993) – Phair uses Bardot to describe a flight attendant in a satirical context.
2000s-2020s
In the new millennium, Bardot continues to appear in songs across genres, from funk rock to Latin pop.
- “Warlocks” – Red Hot Chili Peppers (2006) – Kiedis references Bardot in a verse about LA.
- “Tyrant” – Kali Uchis ft. Jorja Smith (2017) – The collaboration uses Bardot as shorthand for French romance.
- “Lacy” – Olivia Rodrigo (2023) – Rodrigo mentions Bardot in a jealousy-driven ballad.
- “Red Wine Supernova” – Chappell Roan (2023) – Roan sings Bardot as a playboy in a pop-synth track.
Key Takeaways
- Bardot’s name has been cited in music for over six decades.
- Artists use her as a symbol of desire, glamour, and sometimes controversy.
- Her legacy endures in both classic and contemporary pop culture.
Bardot’s enduring presence in music highlights how a 1960s icon continues to influence artists and listeners alike, keeping her spirit alive in every lyric that mentions her.
