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Seasons in the Sun

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For the album by Terry Jacks, see Seasons in the Sun (album). For the 2012 book about British history, see Dominic Sandbrook.

"Le Moribond"
7" vinyl single cover
Song by Jacques Brel
from the album Marieke
Released1961
Recorded22 February 1961
GenreChanson
Length3:06
LabelPhilips
Songwriter(s)Jacques Brel
"Seasons in the Sun"
German 7" vinyl cover
Single by Terry Jacks
from the album Seasons in the Sun
B-side"Put the Bone In"
ReleasedDecember 1973
Recorded1973
Genre
Length3:24
LabelBell
Songwriter(s)Jacques Brel, Rod McKuen
Producer(s)Terry Jacks
Terry Jacks singles chronology
"Concrete Sea"
(1972) 		"Seasons in the Sun"
(1973) 		"If You Go Away"
(1974)
Audio
"Seasons in the Sun" on YouTube

Seasons in the Sun is an English-language adaptation of the 1961 Belgian song Le Moribond ("The Dying Man") by singer-songwriter Jacques Brel,[2] with lyrics rewritten in 1963 by singer-poet Rod McKuen,[3] depicting a dying man's farewell to his loved ones. It became a worldwide hit in 1974 for singer Terry Jacks and reached Christmas number one in the UK in 1999 for Westlife.

Background and lyrics

[edit]

The first version of the song was recorded by Brel. Set to a marching rhythm, it tells the story of a man dying of a broken heart, as he bids farewell first to his close friend Emile, then to a priest, followed by an acquaintance named Antoine, and finally to his wife, who has cheated on him numerous times with Antoine. Despite being aware of Antoine's role as his wife's lover, he wishes him no ill and instead asks him to take care of her. American Rod McKuen translated the lyrics into English. In 1964, the Kingston Trio became the first to record an English version of "Seasons in the Sun," which was later heard by Terry Jacks and served as the foundation for his rendition.

Jacks altered nearly one-sixth of McKuen's lyrics, later claiming that all of the words were his own.[4] He considered the original version and its translations to be "too macabre." The inspiration for the rewritten lyrics came from his close friend Roger, who was suffering from acute leukemia and passed away four months later. Jacks's rendition, later dedicated to his friend, features the dying man (in the spring season) delivering his last words to his loved ones with whom he shared his life, echoing the themes of the original. However, unlike Brel's version, the man does not die heartbroken; instead, he reflects on the rights and wrongs of his actions in life as he passes away peacefully.

In the rewritten version, the man first addresses a close friend he has known since childhood, reminiscing about the happy times they shared, such as playing and studying together ("climbed hills and trees," "learned of love and ABC's") and their friendships with others ("skinned our hearts and skinned our knees"). He then turns to his father, who endeavored to provide him with a good upbringing and exert a positive influence on his undisciplined life ("I was the black sheep of the family," "You tried to teach me right from wrong," "wonder how I got along"), which included overindulgence, vices, and revelry ("too much wine and too much song"). Finally, the man addresses a "little one" named "Michelle," recounting how she had lifted his spirits during times of despair. At the end of each verse, he reassures all three that he is always present in spirit when they visit familiar places or encounter certain people.[5]

Recording

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According to Jacks, the Beach Boys asked him to be their producer during the sessions for the band's album Surf's Up. On 31 July 1970, they attempted a rendition of "Seasons in the Sun," but the session did not go well, and the track was never completed. Later, Mike Love told an interviewer: "We did record a version [of 'Seasons'] but it was so wimpy we had to throw it out. ... It was just the wrong song for us."[6] The recording remained unreleased until the 2021 compilation Feel Flows.[7]

Jacks recorded his rendition in Vancouver in 1973.[citation needed] The piano arpeggio parts and double bass parts in the second verse were performed by a young David Foster.[8]

Release

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Jacks released his version as a single in 1973 under his own label, Goldfish Records. The B-side featured "Put the Bone In," an original composition about burying a deceased pet dog. The single quickly topped the record charts in the US (where it was released on Bell Records), Canada, and the UK,[9] selling over 14 million copies worldwide.[5]

Jacks's version was released in the United States in December 1973 and entered the Billboard Hot 100 a month later. On 2 March 1974, the song began a three-week run at number one atop the Hot 100 and remained in the top 40 until nearly Memorial Day weekend. Jacks's version also spent one week on the Easy Listening charts.[10] Billboard ranked it as the number two song for 1974.[11] Although he released several other singles that were moderately successful in Canada, "Seasons in the Sun" would become Jacks's only major solo hit in the United States.[12] In Canada, the single (Gold Fish GF 100) reached number one on the RPM magazine charts on 26 January 1974, where it remained for four weeks.

Though the song enjoyed contemporary success, some modern critics take a dimmer view, considering it overly sentimental. Jacks's version has been cited as an example of bad music, having been listed as one of the worst pop songs ever recorded and ranking number five in a similar CNN poll in 2006.[13]

Jacks also released a German-language version in Germany with lyrics by Gerd Müller-Schwanke, titled "In den Gärten der Zeit".[14]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada — 312,000[46]
France — 300,000[47]
United Kingdom (BPI)[48] Gold 500,000^
United States (RIAA)[50] Gold 3,000,000[49]
Summaries
Worldwide — 8,000,000[51]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Westlife version

[edit]
"Seasons in the Sun"
Single by Westlife
from the album Westlife
A-side
Released13 December 1999 (1999-12-13)[52]
StudioPWL Studios (London)
Length4:06
LabelBMG
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)TTW
Westlife singles chronology
"Flying Without Wings"
(1999) 		"I Have a Dream" / "Seasons in the Sun"
(1999) 		"Fool Again"
(2000)
Music video
"Seasons in the Sun" on YouTube

Irish boy band Westlife released a cover of "Seasons in the Sun" in December 1999, as a double A-side with "I Have a Dream" and as a triple A-side in Australia, including both "I Have a Dream" and "Flying Without Wings."[53] The release became the UK's Christmas number-one single of 1999, outperforming Cliff Richard's charity single "The Millennium Prayer," which landed at No. 2, and marked the group's fourth UK number-one single. It continued to maintain its position into January 2000, spending a total of 17 weeks on the UK chart.[54] The song was the 26th best-selling single of 1999 in the UK and also became the final number-one single of the 1990s.

Track listings

[edit]
  • United Kingdom & Ireland
  1. "I Have a Dream" (Single Remix) – 4:06
  2. "Seasons in the Sun" (Single Remix) – 4:10
  3. "On the Wings of Love" – 3:22
  • Australia
  1. "Flying Without Wings" - 3:35
  2. "I Have a Dream" (Remix) - 4:06
  3. "Seasons in the Sun" (Single Remix) - 4:10
  4. "Flying Without Wings" (Video) - 3:40

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1999–2000) Peak
position
Czech Republic (IFPI)[55] 25
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[56] 7
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[57] 10
Germany (GfK)[58] 24
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[59] 13
Ireland (IRMA)[60] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[61] 10
Norway (VG-lista)[62] 10
Scotland (OCC)[63] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[64] 15
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[65] 18
UK Singles (OCC)[54] 1

Other versions

[edit]

There were actually three different versions released in the UK in 1974, two of which were on the BELL label. At least two (including the Terry Jacks version), and possibly all three, charted.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Billboard Top Soft Rock Hits: 1974" – via AllMusic.
  2. ^ "30 years since the death of Jacques Brel: his life, his art, his legacy". World Socialist Web Site. December 2008. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  3. ^ McKuen, Rod (8 April 2000). "Remembering Jacques Brel". Flight Plan. Retrieved 20 February 2020. My first experience with Brel consisted of doing an unauthorized adaptation of 'Le Moribund', which I called 'Seasons in the Sun'... I subsequently learned that Brel had received my recording...
  4. ^ Blokhuis, Leo (2006): Grijsgedraaid. Liedjes en lijstjes uit de popgeschiedenis. Amsterdam: Anthos. p. 153 (in Dutch) ISBN 90-414-1112-7
  5. ^ a b "Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks". songfacts.com. 27 September 2023. Archived from the original on 1 October 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  6. ^ Badman, Keith (2004). The Beach Boys: The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band, on Stage and in the Studio. Backbeat Books. pp. 273–274. ISBN 978-0-87930-818-6.
  7. ^ Iahn, Buddy (2 June 2021). "THE BEACH BOYS 'FEEL FLOWS' BOX SET DETAILED". The Music Universe. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Wereldhit 'Seasons in the Sun' is van niet zomaar een Belg". radio1.be (in Dutch). 24 June 2022.
  9. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 299. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  10. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 123.
  11. ^ "Number One Song of the Year: 1946-2015". bobborst.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. ^ Whitburn, Joel, "Top Pop Hits: 1955-2006, 2007.
  13. ^ Leopold, Todd. "The worst song of all time, part II - Apr 26, 2006". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 April 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  14. ^ "In den Gärten der Zeit" Archived 22 August 2019 at the Wayback Machine at 45cat.com
  15. ^ a b "National Top 100 Singles for 1974". Kent Music Report. 30 December 1974. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2022 – via Imgur.
  16. ^ "Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  17. ^ "Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  18. ^ "Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4963a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  20. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 4956." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Song artist 781 - Terry Jacks". Tsort.info. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  22. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Terry Jacks". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 113. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  23. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Seasons in the Sun". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  24. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Terry Jacks" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  25. ^ "Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  26. ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  27. ^ "Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun". VG-lista.
  28. ^ Portuguese Charts Archive. 1974.
  29. ^ "Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun". Singles Top 100.
  30. ^ "Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun". Swiss Singles Chart.
  31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  32. ^ "Terry Jacks Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  33. ^ "Terry Jacks Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  34. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 3/09/74". Tropicalglen.com. 9 March 1974. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  35. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Terry Jacks"
  36. ^ * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  37. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Forum - Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  38. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  39. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1974". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  40. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1974". MegaCharts. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  41. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Swiss Year-End Charts 1974 - swisscharts.com". swisscharts.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  42. ^ "Top 100 1974 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Archived from the original on 22 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  43. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1974/Top 100 Songs of 1974". Musicoutfitters.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  44. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1974". Tropicalglen.com. 28 December 1974. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  45. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  46. ^ Melhuish, Martin (19 July 1975). "Singles Sales Do Not Mean Profit: Casino" (PDF). Billboard. p. 70. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  47. ^ Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). Fabrice Ferment (ed.). "TOP – 1974". 40 ans de tubes : 1960–2000 : les meilleures ventes de 45 tours & CD singles (in French). OCLC 469523661. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2023 – via Top-France.fr.
  48. ^ "British single certifications – Terry Jacks – Seasons in the sun". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  49. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1985). Million selling records from the 1900s to the 1980s : an illustrated directory. Arco Pub. p. 453. ISBN 0668064595. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2023. Bell Records pickep up the rights for U.S.A. an it sold over three million there alone.
  50. ^ "American single certifications – Terry Jacks – Seasons in the sun". Recording Industry Association of America.
  51. ^ Melhuish, Martin (26 October 1974). "Jacks: Remembrance of the Past". Billboard. p. 64. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  52. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 13 December, 1999: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 11 December 1999. p. 23. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  53. ^ "Westlife - Flying Without Wings / I Have A Dream / Seasons In The Sun". 1999 – via www.discogs.com.
  54. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  55. ^ "Hitparada radia – 8/2000" (in Czech). IFPI CR. Archived from the original on 3 March 2000. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  56. ^ "Billboard - Google Books". 29 January 2000. Retrieved 1 April 2014 – via Google Books.
  57. ^ "Westlife: I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  58. ^ "Westlife – I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  59. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (02.3– 09.3 2000)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 3 March 2000. p. 12. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  60. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  61. ^ "Westlife – I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  62. ^ "Westlife – I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun". VG-lista. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  63. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  64. ^ "Westlife – I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  65. ^ "Westlife – I Have a Dream / Seasons in the Sun". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  66. ^ Eder, Bruce. "The Kingston Trio - Time to Think". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  67. ^ "Country Music: Top Country Songs Chart". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  68. ^ "With the Lights Out". Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  69. ^ "Seasons in the Sun by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes". SecondHandSongs. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  70. ^ "Seasons in the Sun by Black Box Recorder". SecondHandSongs. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
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