Friday, March 21, 2008

Drippin' with Cheeze

Happy Spring everyone!

It's a bright sun shiny day here in my part of the world. We are definitely seeing the first signs: bright yellow daffodils and forsythias are cheering everyone up. The birds are singing in the sky...bright and early in the morning...too fricking early if you ask me.

Whenever spring is in the air...I think about this song. In my personal opinion...it has to be one of THE worst cheeze ball songs of all time. Even worse than "I've been to Paradise". I am not really a big fan of this one, it's just one of those songs that always grated on that nerve in the back of my neck.

I did a little research about this song to see where it originated from. Thanks to the great website: Songfacts I was able to find some interesting stuff about it.

It was actually a french song called: "Le Moribond" ("The Dying Man") by a Belgian guy Jacques Brel. He recorded it in 1961

The Beach Boys actually did a recording of this song and obviously hated it and never released it! (smart guys)

The singer who made this song what it is today took it, changed things around to "lighten it up a bit" and recorded it on his own label: Goldfish Records. Apparently it sat on a shelf for a while and as the story goes according to Songfacts, a delivery boy heard it and wanted to play it for a few friends.

One thing led to another I guess...and it became a bit hit. WHY? I don't know really, but it did.

I know you all are "dying" with anticipation to see what this weeks song is...so without further adieu...I present you with:

Seasons in the Sun (check out the hair on this guy!)
Originally written by: Jacques Brel
Performed by: Terry Jacks

Goodbye to you my trusted friend
We've known each other since we were nine or ten
Together we climbed hills and trees
Learned of love and A B C's
Skinned our hearts and skinned our knees.

Goodbye my friend it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
Pretty girls are everywhere
Think of me and I'll be there

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed were just seasons
Out of time......

Goodbye Papa please pray for me
I was the black sheep of the family
You tried to teach me right from wrong
Too much wine and too much song
Wonder how I got along.

Goodbye Papa its hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
Little children everywhere
When you see them I'll be there.

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons
Have all gone.

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons
Have all gone.

Goodbye Michelle my little one
You gave me love and helped me find the sun
And every time that I was down
You would always come around
And get my feet back on the ground.

Goodbye Michelle it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
With the flowers everywhere
I wish that we could both be there

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach
Were just starfish on the beach

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach
Were just starfish on the beach

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons
Have all gone

All our lives we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed were just seasons
Out of time......

We had joy we had fun
We had seasons in the sun

P.S. Jacques Brel retired from his career when Terry Jacks version of this song came out and at a time when he was very popular which stunned many of his fans. It was later revealed that he had cancer and he died on Oct. 9, 1978. How ironic the lyrics of his song "Le Moribond" were.

I found Jacques Brel's version of this song on You Tube as well...I think it's only fair to share his as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9OXwWuAHcE (I don't speak a word of french, but I think I like his version much better)


RIP Jacques

7 comments:

Shark Butt said...

You do realize that Jacques Brel is Satan's pen name right?

mccutcheon said...

1. Jacques Brel was a really great artist, and
2. you dont just "lighten up" Jacques Brel, the darkness is what makes it even better :)

*sigh* Jacques Brel...

mccutcheon said...

@sharkb: huh?

dive said...

Brel wrote so many wonderful songs (just ask Scott Walker), but to be remembered for this excrescence must make the poor guy spin in his grave.
Boy that was an awful version!
It shames the good name of cheese.

Middle Girl said...

Fascinating.

Kari Hultman said...

I need quit reading your Drippin' with Cheese songs because they stick in my head all day, playing over and over. Ack!

Presbyfruit's History Bits said...

Blech!!!!

I hated that song!