Hommage à Jacques Brel
Category: You Live & Learn | 7 Comments | Posted 13:30I know this won't mean much to any of you, as I have next to no French-speaking readers, but I have to mention it anyway. 25 years ago to this day, Jacques Brel died of lung cancer in a French hospital. He was one of the most amazing chansonniers who ever lived, with beautiful, moving and thought-provoking lyrics about friendship, love, beliefs, morals, life and death... the power of his convictions was infectious. I can't say how much this man means to me. When I listen to his songs, I hear my dad speaking. He was incomparable and is sorely missed by many.
If you're interested to know more about him (to make this a Live & Learn entry), go here for an extensive biography in English. To get an idea of his lyrical genius, check these translations of some of his songs. On the left you can stream one of his most popular songs, Ne Me Quitte Pas.
LOL I was waiting for you to post that.
It's a nice enough remake, but the original is better 
Will check out links... he sounds interesting 
Oooh he is! 
This is probably the only Brel song I know, and I definately love it. Now that I've read the lyrics in English I even actually know what the rest of the song says.. Very beautiful!!
Should check Brel out a bit more..
I'm tired of Brel. He's from belgium, and in the past few weeks, I've heard nothing but Brel, brel, brel on the media all the time. Sure, he's a good singer, but too much is too much.
Posted by: LAmbda at October 12, 2003 12:37 AMLOL ok so they might overdo it, but hey, 25 years is a big thing! 
And it's not Brel's fault 
...and also check out the following link to read David Bowie's translation of "Amsterdam":
http://www.teenagewildlife.com/Albums/P/A.html
Actually it's a translation by M. Shuman, I think. It doesn't say so at www.teenagewildlife.com, but Shuman's name appears on my Pin Ups booklet.
Posted by: Katja at October 9, 2003 05:49 PMBTW, Dave has done great work covering this song. You should all download it! *g*