Rod McKuen

1933–2015 · American poet, singer and songwriter

McKuen was among the best-selling poets in America in the late 1960s and one of the principal conduits through which Brel reached English-speaking listeners — “Ne me quitte pas” became his “If You Go Away”, and “Le Moribond” became “Seasons in the Sun”. His adaptation is what the Kingston Trio recorded, and what Jacks later altered further. The music throughout remains Brel’s.

Who recorded it

Songs written by Rod McKuen

Seasons in the Sun

Written by them — first recorded by Jacques Brel

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