When I was in high school, I decided to buy the 45 of this song to be played at my funeral. I'm 65 now and I still have that 45 that lived in my safety deposit box for decades, even though the song is still readily available. I wanted a daughter named Michelle. In 2017, I had cancer but still going strong. You just can't kill weeds as my grandma used to say.
@@deniseriley6622, sorry to hear of your brother's loss. I hold on to the memories of those who have left because that keeps them fresh in our minds. Memories will always be there for us. 😂 🤗
You’d be best checking the Wikipedia page for the song Seasons in the sun because it’s a long explanation but to summarise it was based on his friend who was dying of leukaemia
Basically a wild and free person saying goodbye to the people he loves and telling them he will be in their memories and where to see him in the world when he is gone.
There was a trend in the 50s, 60s and 70s for somewhat morbid songs. Honey by Bobby Goldsboro was one, and The Leader of the Pack by the Shangri Las was another. This was a later example. I always took it as a farewell message from a young man who was dying, maybe of some terminal illness, but I've also heard people suggest he was on death row for something, as he says he was the black sheep of the family. I don't know which interpretation is correct, but the lyrics have haunted me for 50 years.
This is a translation from a French song called Le Moribond (“The Dying Man”), the Kingston Trio recorded the first English version ten years before Terry Jacks did.
When I study those French lyrics, I'm pretty sure he's saying he's going to kill himself because his wife is having an affair with Antoine. It's both funny and really, really dark.
@@einahsirro1488 i just did a google.. the reason they are different is because originally they were translated and then Terry Jacks changed the lyrics for his friend who was dying. there is similarity but they are not the same.. and frankly I think terrys is a better version.
A classic 70's song. I remember this was on the radio all of the time. I was 5 years old and if you were driving in the car or listening to a transistor radio you could bet this song was playing.
When we were in elementary school, we used to sing a little differently. We had joy, we had sun , we were streakers in the sun but cops the had the gun and shot us where it stung. 😂
Yeah, this was huge at the time. One hit Wonder as a solo Artist but had several hits with his wife while within 'The Poppy Family'. Check out 'Where Evil Grows' a song he did solo and with 'The Poppy Family'. Other great Poppy Family Songs; 'Which Way You Going Billy', 'That's Where I Went Wrong', 'I Thought Of You Again' and 'Beyond The Clouds'. Most Poppy Family songs feature Terry's beautiful wife 'Susan Jacks' on vocals, she has some great solo work as well... Check out 'Susan Jacks - Anna Marie' Cheers.
He actually offered this song to Brian Wilson but he said The Beach Boys were going in a different direction--his paperboy heard him playing it and convinced him to record it himself
You should check out Westlife's version of this song. Nice updated cover. From what I have read about this song, It was dedicated to one of his friends who was dying from leukemia.
This is how we did it back then, We would hear it on the Radio 📻 , then go to the record shop and get a copy. Also I would get records from my Capital Record Club Membership. This song composed by Jacques Brel, He wrote this to his wife, priest, and Antione who cheated with his wife! Peace ✌️ and Love ❤Gary 😊great reaction 🤣 say HI to Kitty 😺
Terry Jacks is a Canadian singer songwriter. He was part of the "Chessman" back in the 60's in my hometown of Vancouver B.C. Later Terry & his wife Susan formed "The Poppy Family". They had several hits in Canada & internationally. Their biggest was "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" Terry recorded "Seasons In The Sun" in 1973. He had some other songs such as "If You Go Away" & "Rock 'N' Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of My Life)". He wrote & recorded a number of other songs & went on to produce for many well known artists.
A guilty pleasure from my early childhood. I bought this single at some point as well. My sister loved it and although I was into harder stuff at the time, and she was later of course, but this one still gets to me to this day. It's just such a well-written song and the way it's delivered and recorded here is just perfect for the 70s.
This song HAUNTS me from my childhood. I was 9 when it came out. It made me really contemplate death, probably for the first time. I knew every word. You couldn't turn the radio on without hearing it. Shon if you want another good 70s trip try Paper Lace "The Night Chicago Died." I think it's your jam.
Another talented boy from Winnipeg. Check out some of his other songs with wife Susan, they were called The Poppy Family, one of their hits was "Where Evil Grows"
The song was released in 1974 and I'm glad you seem in an 'up' mood - 'cuz it's a rather sad song. Your interpretation shows your positive view of life in general. I've always taken the song literally - he knows he's dying and this is his farewell to his friend, his father & his lover. Next time you're feeling upbeat enough, listen to Home Free's cover of "Brothers in Arms" - but only if you're feeling good.
Brings back memories. I was a freshman in high school in Tennessee in 1974. Our school bus had an 8-track tape, and the driver loved this song. So, I heard it nearly every morning.
This too is my funeral song my best friend for many years cried hearing this, I'm my dads only child but i was the black amongst my half siblings, My daughters middle name is Michelle.
Back then, all you had was personal appearances and air time on the radio. It was up to the DJs how often these records were played. Even now, a LOT of great songs never get air time. You only hear them when you bought the album.
This song was derived from a french chanson, written and performed by the famous Jacques Brel: "Le Moribond". Listen to the original: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cXAKq5QvX4k.html
Any older British football fans will remember the chorus with altered words - We had joy we had fun we had (insert name of bitter rivals) on the run, But the fun didn't last 'cos the b*stards ran too fast. In my case the bitter rivals were either Oxford or Tottenham depending if I was with friends from Swindon, or had gone to London for some fun on a different level. Happy memories of a misspent youth...
Such a great tune. The very first 45 I bought when I was about 9 or 10. (Ask your folks what a 45 is. Hint: You don't shoot it. Or drink it. You listen to it.) Thus began a lifelong fascination with Songs About Dying People. Today, I have thousands. Really weird stuff, too. And it all started with this one. I am *so* old.
You're a really quick wit, but I think you're just trying to look too deep for this one. I think it's just a dying dude saying goodbye to his loved ones. He addresses his friend and talks about their adventures, and chasing girls, and so on. "Pretty girls are everywhere, think of me and I'll be there." When his friend is still doing the things they both did together, he can just think of him and it'll be like he's still there. He addresses his father and talks about his rebellious nature and how his father tried to teach him better. "Little children everywhere, when you see them I'll be there." You have to think of that line from the perspective of his father seeing these children. He raised this guy. His father is still going to see him as his child. He addresses his daughter and talks about how much she helped correct his path and general disposition in life. "With the flowers everywhere, I wish that we could both be there." He wishes he could still be there for her. It's a super sad song, but doesn't have some kind of deep meaning that changes the whole thing. It's just a song that's very emotionally impactful in a sad way. The seasons in the sun represent the passage of time, which ultimately summarize his whole life. It's hard to die while everything is still happening all around you and without you. All of his loved ones are going to continue on without him, but he still wishes he could be there.
Yeah being a kids was nice. Look at it like this. At some point in your life you went outside just to play with your friends no knowing it was the last time. And you did not even know it.
Really enjoyed your reaction to this song which Terry wrote hoping the Beach Boys would record it however they declined and so he recorded it himself. Hi, new subscriber to your channel and really enjoy your reactions! If I may, I have a suggestion for a video for you to react to that I think you'll find amazing. Please check out Runaway Train by Soul Asylum, here is the link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NRtvqT_wMeY.html
I was listening to mostly Country and Oldies in the mid-80s when I first discovered this song. I was around 10-11, and it really touched me, even then.
