Jacques Brel

1929–1978 · Belgian singer-songwriter · Philips, then Barclay

Born in Schaerbeek, Brussels in 1929, Brel became the defining voice of the modern chanson — theatrical, unsentimental, and enormously influential well beyond the French-speaking world. He recorded for Philips from 1953 before moving to Barclay in 1962. “Le Moribond” is his own composition, words and music, and his own 1961 recording is the first the song ever had. He died in 1978, aged 49.

Who recorded it

Songs Jacques Brel recorded first

Seasons in the Sun

Recorded it first — now often credited to Terry Jacks

Did they really say it?

Thought Jacques Brel said something else?

Type a quote you think Jacques Brel said — we’ll tell you what we know, or point you to the best sources.