Brel, Jacques (1929–1978)

Belgian singer and songwriter. He was active in France from 1953, where his fatalistic ballads made him a star. Of his more than 400 songs, many have been recorded in translation by singers as diverse as Frank Sinatra and David Bowie. ‘Ne me quitte pas/If You Go Away’ (1964) is one of his best-known songs.

Brel worked in the chansonnier (singer-songwriter) tradition, often with orchestral arrangements. He also appeared in films. Other Brel songs are ‘Marieke’ (1961), ‘Le Moribond/Seasons in the Sun’ (1961), ‘La Colombe’ (1960), and ‘Amsterdam’ (1964). The album Brel (1977) was his last work.

A musical based on his life and work, written by his US translator Mort Shuman (1936– ) and entitled Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, was staged in 1966.