This has got to be the most heartfelt performance of any song I have ever heard, and at 66 years old I have heard many. I don't speak French, but even without understanding the lyrics he conveys such passion and desperation in his voice, and when you actually see the lyrics translated they are without doubt a masterclass in song writing. So well chosen. Brilliant! Without parallel or as they say in French "Sans Pareil"
this song this song was written for his ex-wife who left it for another man, he loved his wife so much that in France, he stopped singing for 4 months, he is one of the greatest artists in our country. to this day, even after his death. And if you could understand the french you will feel even more the emotions and the lyrics are so perfect ..
A phenomenon of a breed you don't see anymore. He just is giving everything he's got until there is nothing more left to give. RIP Jacques et merci pour votre larmes.
This song is about Jacques Brel's mistress, who he refused to leave his wife and three children for. She left and he wrote this song. He's commented on it and said it was "an hymn to the cowardice of men. How much a man can humiliate himself, though I know it pleases women who quickly assume it's a love song as it is comforting, and I understand that well. But it's the story of an idiot and a loser."
Cowardice of men? Dude, he refused to leave his legal wife and his three kids. He chose that way instead of eloping with his mistress. How is that cowardice?
@@Briselance I don't know either, it's a quote XD Though it might have to do with the difference between "cowardice" and "lacheté". It's not a perfect translations, there are nuances. "Lacheté" can mean lack of courage and bravery, though it also englobes 'moral cowardice', like excessive passivity, not doing the 'right thing' (maybe a bit like spineless?). So I think it might have to do with him still wanting his mistress, though he wasn't willing to leave his wife for her. He 'should've' chosen either his wife or his mistress but he clings on to both by "lacheté" (weakness in character).
It’s still a love song though? I don’t see how any of that negates the fact that it’s a love song. Because the woman was his mistress? Yeah, immoral, but that’s still a love song for her. He’s consumed by his love for her.
@@mandarina4157 Once again, this is just my interpretation, but I think it might be that the song is less about all he would do for her and more about how he could lower himself for her. (Like becoming the shade of her dog). It's like how far he's willing to abase himself for her to stay. It's not a healthy love, it's not noble, it's just a man who won't give her what she asks (his whole heart and for their love to be more than a dirty little secret) but will promise all manner of impossible thing. Is his love really all that grand? Are his promise worth anything, if it's never for what she wants?
This is Jacques Brel a fantastic Belgian singer with passion and deep presence in all of his performance. Ne me quitte pas is made of passion and profession. You can hear his heart beating of love.
My French teacher in high school ( Mavo in The Netherlands 1981) 'forced' my class to listen to french chansons. I loved those classes, I still listen to those songs.... it;s so intense... Thanx!
At the time, my English teacher, she was working hard to teach us English with songs from the Beatles. i hate the beatles. I listened to the Rolling stones, Queen or Genesis and so on ... it was awful. I couldn't take it anymore with the Beatles 🤣
So good to see someone from the 21st century who is able to look back 60 years and appreciate the wonderful music of the French chansonniers. When I was 13 years old, back in the early sixties in the middle of the British pop revolution, I discovered Brel and became hooked. And you might also want to give us your 'reaction' to another great performer from those times, Leo Ferré. If you are amazed by Brel's performance of 'Ne me quitte pas', you will be equally amazed by Ferré's performance of 'Avec le temps'.
yes Leo ferré "avec le temps" is such a beautifull but so sad song. love it so much but feel so sad after hearing it each time. i am french and i really recommend it. but not sure there will be a vidéo with lyrics in english.
As a French who grew up and constructed himself with British and American rock and heavy metal, it feels good to hear that French music can be liked outside our continent (since Brel was Belgian). You should listen to Stromae, who, in a modern pattern, has the same talent both with lyrics and on his way to sing outside the tempo/pattern of the song like Brel did.
I'm french and I love that song so much, it is very precious to me and I wanted to say I'm touched to see that it goes through the barrier of language to reach others... Thank you for your reaction. Fun fact : Jacques Brel is one the most famous and favourite singers in France, so much that some have forgotten that he is from Belgium, thks Belgium. As a note, I think the video was filmed just after his mistress (Suzanne Gabriello) left him at the time and when they broadcast the song there was a technical problem so that camera was the only one working. I like that these circumstances captured a very pure emotion he must have been feeling at the time.
Man!!!! All my youth coming up watching this. I’m a Belgian living in Brazil for 22 years! Jacque Brel was a monument back then 70’s and 80’s back home and I must say my dear late father was a friend of him and yes he came to our home sometimes when I was a kid and crawling from upstairs to see my parents have diner with him in the dining room in our house in Brussels..Man!!! I am overwelmed😭 Pierre, Balneario Camboriu, SC, Brasil😘😘😘😘😘
Even without the lyrics or knowing what he is singing, just watching his performance makes me well up with tears from the emotion he puts into it. You feel his desperation.
tears in my eyes , one of the most text in the world , and Jacques Brel , extraordinary , singer who lives his song . i m french , excuse me for my english , thanks to you too
The biggest misunderstanding of this incredible piece is that it's a love song. It's a song about how low men can go for love, "Let me become the shadow of your dog" wich is a feeling all men have to fight at one point in their life, I think you call it "simping" in America. It actually made him laugh that most women would listen to this as a love song, because it proved his point that, contrary to the popular belief, men are not those tough creatures who dominate women, when it comes to love, women are not powerful, they're almighty.
In fact, "Do not leave me" refers to a passionate affair that the singer had with another singer, Suzanne Gabriello. She decided to put an end to their affair because Brel refused to leave his wife and three children.
Jason.....spot on mate..... those who have been there know....and there are a lot of us..... see you all at the Styxx, pay Charon and ask him to bring you to Hades. It is the only place where you will be safe amongst peers.
For Brel, he said it often, the most important feeling is not love but friendship ! I heared him saying once, in an interview, "women are always under love", the most deep, powerfull and important relation for a man is friendship ! He leaved Europe for the Marquises islands just after the death of his big friend for years and wrote a masterpiece about him, a wonderfull song which is called "Jojo", the name of his friend. His daughter, recognize this too. I apologize for my bad english.
brel wrote this song to showcase how low a man would go for love and how he will throw away self respect. he said it oftejn and he knew that women would love listening to it as a love song. and that made him laugh
It is not an interpretation David, it is him bleeding his heart straight out.... you know, we have all been there one's or twice.... but we never had the talent to translate it into this... please stay healthy brother, we've lost enough good people by now ....
@@fredschepers5149 euh no...dion is a voice...but she's not a creator...she doesn't write songs of that quality...she's not brassens,brel or barbara...she's not a poet...and as a singer she can't sing with that intensity...she's a technician mostly.
I first knew Jacques in Morocco, in Rabat, in the seventies during a French language class in high school. I'm now 60 years old, and for me, he is the best artist in the French language-Jacques, the writer, composer, singer, director, and actor.
I absolutely love the imagem he paints of "pearls of rain from countries where it never rains" and "to dig up the earth to cover the lover's body with gold and light". That's so powerful. I loved Brel from first time heard him.
In Belgium, Jacques Brel is still "alive". I always liked him. He is special. Don't stay with only this one. Listen to "Dans le port d'Amsterdam", "Le plat pays", "Marieke", "Madeleine" and the gem : "Les bourgois"
I have no idea who you are but your response is wonderful. He's not just putting generalized passion into it. There's full life experience in the exact words he's singing in each moment. I'm guessing you don't speak French but he's got this so deeply inside of him it's excruciating and gorgeous at the same time. Excruciating because of his regret and sense of loss and gorgeous because what it was at its best is still coming through. I've known this song from long before you were born and I want you to know that the level at which you get it and feel it is deeply gratifying for me because it shows me that what it is comes from inside of all of us, he just happened to have seized it, said it, and got it out, and it's still touching people like you.
One evening, during a concert, Jacques Brel sang the same verse twice in a row without realizing it. When he found out about this after the concert, he said "I'm retiring, I'll never perform on stage again!" and he kept his word.
French is the language to express feelings in a powerful poetic manner. Brel was part of the 3 "B": Brel, Brassens and Barbara. Jean Ferrat singing his poems and the ones of Aragon can be added to them
@@philippechartier3970 Barbara est immense, une musicienne née, pianiste, chanteuse lyrique, un don d'écriture éclatant, des mélodies toutes plus somptueuses les unes que les autres, elle est indissociable de Brassens, Brel et Ferré. La longue dame brune éternelle de l'amour des mots et des notes
Great reaction- thanks! The sweat was mixed with his tears, and he did write the song (released in 1959). He WAS a singer, songwriter, actor and poet, but I was told by another singer (my late husband) who personally knew the French singers of that day that Jacques Brel became so emotional whenever he performed it that it seemed to tear him apart. I didn’t know him, but I always had the feeling that it was very personal to him and drawn from his personal life. Can’t hear it without crying.
@@adanadam4779peut-être pour c’est autres! Mais pour les Belges, cet homme est une richesse culturelle tout simplement unique dans l’histoire du monde. Rien ne peut être comparé à ce performer. Un trésors humain unique. Daniel, québécois de St Émile de Suffolk
En tout cas pour nous en France il est admiré soyez en sûr, qu'il soit belge et que le vous le revendiquiez c'est tout à fait normal il aurait largement sa place au panthéon s'il avait été français. Merci à la Belgique 🙏
This is a song that marked my youth my parents were huge Brel fans. He is one of the greats. Not as well known is America but he was a huge star is Europe in the days of Edith Piaf. That particular song was voted the most important song of the last century. Brel was also an excellent actor. He had a lot of influence to some known artists (David Bowie to name one). His songs were translated in many languages. Actually Angelina Jordan sings an excellent version of this song in english called "If you go away".
Thanks for reacting! A true classic from a poet who mastered French language, that song brings me to tears every time. Even Nina Simone covered this song in French. Merci!
never has another man sung a broken heart that way, it s almost disturbing it s so honest and profound. 'horse face', as he called himself, was a monster! A treat to see people who don t speak the language being touched also. Cheers from France.
There are many artists whose voice make me emotional but Jacques is the only singer make me cry every time I listen to this particular song . It’s interesting to know his widow Miche just passed away at age of 93 in 2020 despite she wasn’t loved by him during the last days of his life till he died from lung cancer at age of 49 . Absolutely one of the greatest singer ever!!
Superbe chanson , moi je traduis vos paroles en Français en écoutant ce fantastique Jacques Brel , c était les adieux de BREL à l OLYMPIA, la standing ovation et son plublic qui le reclamait encore et encore cette soirée là, inoubliable MONSIEUR JACQUES BREL !!!!!
you stole my heart with your reaction to garden of remembrance by fish, you handled the subject matter so respectfully this is in my humble opinion another of those absolute passionate songs out there. Hope you are doing well and please keep making videos like this.
Jacques Brel était un tel artiste, un immense, IMMENSE artiste, qui a fait don de son talent, de sa voix, de son coeur, au monde tout entier... Merci 🙏
One of the greatest chanson singers to ever walk the earth, Jaques Brel, Charles Aznavour, and Serge Gainsbourg (oh and let's not forget the amazing Edith Piaf) are all amazing story tellers with amazing voices, singing in the beautiful French language. Their music is pure poetry set to music, truly beautiful and emotional.. you really dont have to understand a word of it because if you allow it.. you'll feel every word being sung. Keep these legends of music alive man, their music needs to be heard by newer generations too, what they gave us is too important to "be stuck in French speaking regions only" this is music for everyone.
"I'll offer you Pearls of rain, coming from countries where it doesn't rain" its a really strong statement of what a desperate man is capable for his love.
The beauty of the text cannot be reproduced in any other language than that of its author. Only native French speakers can understand that this is true.
@@charlesb944 Jacques Brel stated publicly that he never sang a song he did not write himself. For him, the words were everything! And he never made an exception to this rule. NEVER. You should check your “facts.”
Here in The Netherlands we now have a show on "Chansons" presented by Mathijs van Nieuwkerk and Rob Kemps ( yes the guy from the Snollebollekes) the gued us through the French Chansons througout the years.. very intresting show. Edith Piaff was on, some Brell too.. Dalida... and some Aznavour... and short pieces of random other French chansons
Thank you for appreciating Brel, he's timeless. His songs were compiled into a Broadway musical back in the sixties (Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well). I think you might enjoy Marieke, one other song that was in that musical.
This belgium's singer is super famous in Belgium and France ! Powerful songs and performance ! Many said Stromae (from Belgium too) is new "Jacques Brel".
Back when I was 5-6, I remember listening my parents singing along and learning to sing along as well, following the emotion of the GIGANTIC Jacques. Unbelievable delivery as usual
Es grandioso que reacciones a estas canciones antiguas, pero que son una verdadera joya y obras de arte literarias y musicales. Ojalá tus videos tuvieran subtitulos en español. Saludos desde Santiago de Chile.
RIP Jacques! I am truly waiting to see someone stepping up with the same passion, heartfelt emotions, and so on ... but with that beautiful expressive voice. My Christmass present is waiting ...
the French singers ( mainly the classic ones ) are very poetic, those kind of lyrics are not an exceptions, to the contrary, they are the rule of French music perfection. Anyone who wants to learn to speak French, should listen to those classic singers and some new ones like Stromae. No wonder the Voltaire's language is considered the most romantic of all.
Love this song very much in English it's called If you go away and is sung by many famous singers but i love the French version most. Barbara Streisand went to see him in a concert to hear tis song and then he didn't sing it. her version is great too by the way,
Hi, I'm Francois from Paris (France). I feel so proud that you discover my chilhood's songs, and appreciate them ! Jacques Brel was born in Belgium in 1929, died in France in 1978. His long carier made him a singer, author, but also an actor (he created the Man de la Mancha in France), played in several films and realized also some films knowned as classical cinema in France. At the end of his life, he suddenly stopped all creation work, and moved to the Masquise" islands in Pacific ocean with the last women he loved. I'd be happy to make you know some other french singers from the same period, as Barbara or Serge Gainsbourg. By the way, I love your vlogs and the emotion you feel and transmite to us.
One of the most emotional love songs ever written. He wrote so many fantastic songs (Amsterdam, Vesoul, Quand on a de l'amour, la Walse à mille temps - incredible speed of diction) and then decided to move to the South Seas where he died of cancer. He was also a great actor.
Nowaday the french pupils can study Jacques brel's songs for the litterature test of the french "baccalauréat". Because of for us Jacques Brel was more than a singer. He Is a poet like Baudelaire, Byron etc....When I was teen my high school called lycée Jacques Brel.
This has got to be the most heartfelt performance of any song I have ever heard, and at 66 years old I have heard many. I don't speak French, but even without understanding the lyrics he conveys such passion and desperation in his voice, and when you actually see the lyrics translated they are without doubt a masterclass in song writing. So well chosen. Brilliant! Without parallel or as they say in French "Sans Pareil"
I’m French… it’s a really beautiful song, yet he wrote it for his paramour, after they broke up…
this song this song was written for his ex-wife who left it for another man, he loved his wife so much that in France, he stopped singing for 4 months, he is one of the greatest artists in our country. to this day, even after his death. And if you could understand the french you will feel even more the emotions and the lyrics are so perfect ..
@@Macouilledofus it was not is ex-wife, it was « sa maîtresse », so in English his paramour…
And he was Belgian
So,you are human.
Quand on est français et qu'on parle le français, il est presque impossible de rester impassible devant ce chef-d'œuvre absolu
So powerfull it also make forgein youtubers speechless ;)
Merci 🙏
Jacques Brel est un immense artiste…
Il vit les textes …
Son œuvre est une Grande fresque sociale de l’époque …
lorsqu'on lit sa biographie, on comprend ses textes... un grand homme
et elle aussi tres actuelle.
C'est beau!
The Master from Belgium. I can’t think of a singer that can tell a story like he does.
It was really a blessed generation for francophone, I mean Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Dalida, Charles Aznavour, Léo Ferré.
You should to listen "SCYLLA", he's one of the best belgium contemporary Rapper , and the way that it takes to telling story are so amazing !
For me Stromae is his heir... belgian too...
if my memory is good he don't wanted to be called "belgium" but prefered "french"! After that's all just something i heard or read i don't remember...
Lara Fabian, another storyteller master from Belgium
As a Belgian myself, it is nice to see someone not speaking French be so receptive to the art of this national treasure
Bedankt!
Jacques Brel, le plus beau cadeau de la Belgique à l'humanité. Quel homme. Quel artiste. J'aurais tellement voulu le voir, lui parler, juste une fois.
La più bella canzone del ventesimo secolo...
Meravigliosa ❤
As a Belgian myself from Ost Belgien, I would say. The best song ever.
@@jorgmehring2660as a french i say the best song from the best singer belgium national treasure a legend...
A phenomenon of a breed you don't see anymore. He just is giving everything he's got until there is nothing more left to give. RIP Jacques et merci pour votre larmes.
This song is about Jacques Brel's mistress, who he refused to leave his wife and three children for. She left and he wrote this song. He's commented on it and said it was "an hymn to the cowardice of men. How much a man can humiliate himself, though I know it pleases women who quickly assume it's a love song as it is comforting, and I understand that well. But it's the story of an idiot and a loser."
Cowardice of men? Dude, he refused to leave his legal wife and his three kids.
He chose that way instead of eloping with his mistress.
How is that cowardice?
@@Briselance I don't know either, it's a quote XD Though it might have to do with the difference between "cowardice" and "lacheté". It's not a perfect translations, there are nuances. "Lacheté" can mean lack of courage and bravery, though it also englobes 'moral cowardice', like excessive passivity, not doing the 'right thing' (maybe a bit like spineless?). So I think it might have to do with him still wanting his mistress, though he wasn't willing to leave his wife for her. He 'should've' chosen either his wife or his mistress but he clings on to both by "lacheté" (weakness in character).
well for a loser he wrote and sang a masterpiece known everywhere in our planet so ....^^
It’s still a love song though? I don’t see how any of that negates the fact that it’s a love song. Because the woman was his mistress? Yeah, immoral, but that’s still a love song for her. He’s consumed by his love for her.
@@mandarina4157 Once again, this is just my interpretation, but I think it might be that the song is less about all he would do for her and more about how he could lower himself for her. (Like becoming the shade of her dog). It's like how far he's willing to abase himself for her to stay. It's not a healthy love, it's not noble, it's just a man who won't give her what she asks (his whole heart and for their love to be more than a dirty little secret) but will promise all manner of impossible thing. Is his love really all that grand? Are his promise worth anything, if it's never for what she wants?
This is Jacques Brel a fantastic Belgian singer with passion and deep presence in all of his performance. Ne me quitte pas is made of passion and
profession. You can hear his heart beating of love.
Also author of all his songs. Hundreds of them.
My French teacher in high school ( Mavo in The Netherlands 1981) 'forced' my class to listen to french chansons. I loved those classes, I still listen to those songs.... it;s so intense... Thanx!
That was a great teacher!
At the time, my English teacher, she was working hard to teach us English with songs from the Beatles. i hate the beatles. I listened to the Rolling stones, Queen or Genesis and so on ... it was awful. I couldn't take it anymore with the Beatles 🤣
de fransen vonden Brel boers omdat ie van vlaanderen was, je franse leraar was elitair, Brel was flamane: ua-cam.com/video/ooxDl31VrKk/v-deo.html
I cheated, I knew Brel had done for example this song in Dutch :-)
So good to see someone from the 21st century who is able to look back 60 years and appreciate the wonderful music of the French chansonniers. When I was 13 years old, back in the early sixties in the middle of the British pop revolution, I discovered Brel and became hooked. And you might also want to give us your 'reaction' to another great performer from those times, Leo Ferré. If you are amazed by Brel's performance of 'Ne me quitte pas', you will be equally amazed by Ferré's performance of 'Avec le temps'.
yes Leo ferré "avec le temps" is such a beautifull but so sad song. love it so much but feel so sad after hearing it each time.
i am french and i really recommend it. but not sure there will be a vidéo with lyrics in english.
As a French who grew up and constructed himself with British and American rock and heavy metal, it feels good to hear that French music can be liked outside our continent (since Brel was Belgian). You should listen to Stromae, who, in a modern pattern, has the same talent both with lyrics and on his way to sing outside the tempo/pattern of the song like Brel did.
Belge
And the list is long! I hail for Brassens and Nino Ferrer, jean Ferrat and the mighty Gainsbourg! All different and giants in their "genre".
"avec le temps" de léo ferré is a BIG BIG MASTERPIECE but you have to understand the lyrics to comprehend, the melody is really beautifull also
I'm french and I love that song so much, it is very precious to me and I wanted to say I'm touched to see that it goes through the barrier of language to reach others... Thank you for your reaction.
Fun fact : Jacques Brel is one the most famous and favourite singers in France, so much that some have forgotten that he is from Belgium, thks Belgium.
As a note, I think the video was filmed just after his mistress (Suzanne Gabriello) left him at the time and when they broadcast the song there was a technical problem so that camera was the only one working. I like that these circumstances captured a very pure emotion he must have been feeling at the time.
All the covers of this song are just a faint shadow of the original.
exept for Nina Simone one !
Actually, there is a live cover by Johnny Halliday that I find really powerful too : ua-cam.com/video/s5p1ZoZfvPI/v-deo.html
You don’t hear poetry like that anymore. Mr. Jacques Brel is a master of lyrics and delivery. What a gift! 🤗
This is my parent's generation, but I heard it often on the radio. Even the younger ones liked his musical poetry.
Man!!!! All my youth coming up watching this. I’m a Belgian living in Brazil for 22 years! Jacque Brel was a monument back then 70’s and 80’s back home and I
must say my dear late father was a friend of him and yes he came to our home sometimes when I was a kid and crawling from upstairs to see my parents have diner with him in the dining room in our house in Brussels..Man!!! I am overwelmed😭
Pierre, Balneario Camboriu, SC, Brasil😘😘😘😘😘
Even without the lyrics or knowing what he is singing, just watching his performance makes me well up with tears from the emotion he puts into it. You feel his desperation.
He only one I can think of is Tom Jones.
@@normandrolland Not by far
Brel was a phenomenon. His lyrics, his melodies, his vocal performance, his literally burning on stage every single time...A genius.
tears in my eyes , one of the most text in the world , and Jacques Brel , extraordinary , singer who lives his song . i m french , excuse me for my english , thanks to you too
The biggest misunderstanding of this incredible piece is that it's a love song. It's a song about how low men can go for love, "Let me become the shadow of your dog" wich is a feeling all men have to fight at one point in their life, I think you call it "simping" in America. It actually made him laugh that most women would listen to this as a love song, because it proved his point that, contrary to the popular belief, men are not those tough creatures who dominate women, when it comes to love, women are not powerful, they're almighty.
In fact, "Do not leave me" refers to a passionate affair that the singer had with another singer, Suzanne Gabriello. She decided to put an end to their affair because Brel refused to leave his wife and three children.
Jason.....spot on mate..... those who have been there know....and there are a lot of us..... see you all at the Styxx, pay Charon and ask him to bring you to Hades. It is the only place where you will be safe amongst peers.
For Brel, he said it often, the most important feeling is not love but friendship ! I heared him saying once, in an interview, "women are always under love", the most deep, powerfull and important relation for a man is friendship ! He leaved Europe for the Marquises islands just after the death of his big friend for years and wrote a masterpiece about him, a wonderfull song which is called "Jojo", the name of his friend. His daughter, recognize this too. I apologize for my bad english.
I love his interpretation, the hearbreak he felt.... he is in pain, his suffering... I love this song
brel wrote this song to showcase how low a man would go for love and how he will throw away self respect. he said it oftejn and he knew that women would love listening to it as a love song. and that made him laugh
It is not an interpretation David, it is him bleeding his heart straight out.... you know, we have all been there one's or twice.... but we never had the talent to translate it into this... please stay healthy brother, we've lost enough good people by now ....
For us in France this song is one of the best song ever.
So thx a lot to share this master piece.
Thx thx!
His poetry is something else, unforgettable, rich, and beautiful. An artist that the years can not damaged.
Belgium and French artists have always been known for their beautiful texts and lyrics! The French language is so rich and beautiful 🥰
There are some non Belgium's and French artists who can sing the same....
Think it's the language rather than the artist.
Example? Dion?
French an Walen ate snobs…..
@@sjefhendrickx2257 En Vlamingen zijn geen dikkenekken zeker?
@@fredschepers5149 Dion is a good singer, but she's nowhere near the real deal, have a listen to Brassens, Ferré or Barbara.
@@fredschepers5149 euh no...dion is a voice...but she's not a creator...she doesn't write songs of that quality...she's not brassens,brel or barbara...she's not a poet...and as a singer she can't sing with that intensity...she's a technician mostly.
I first knew Jacques in Morocco, in Rabat, in the seventies during a French language class in high school. I'm now 60 years old, and for me, he is the best artist in the French language-Jacques, the writer, composer, singer, director, and actor.
I absolutely love the imagem he paints of "pearls of rain from countries where it never rains" and "to dig up the earth to cover the lover's body with gold and light". That's so powerful. I loved Brel from first time heard him.
this dude was a genius. He was not sweating because e was nervous but because he was giving it all
Hé was and IS forever ‘Le grand Jacques’. Maybe one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever. He had it all. The voice, the lyrics and the passion.
In Belgium, Jacques Brel is still "alive". I always liked him. He is special. Don't stay with only this one. Listen to "Dans le port d'Amsterdam", "Le plat pays", "Marieke", "Madeleine" and the gem : "Les bourgois"
and 'les vieux amants'
@@lyseloriau2749 of course, I would forget this other gem.
Faudrait surtout pas oublier "Voir un ami pleurer" et "Un soir d'été".
@@stmaurice2045 Je sais, si on connait Jacques, on sait que sa liste de chansons est longue. Je suis Belge, j'ai grandi avec Jacques via mes parents.
I have no idea who you are but your response is wonderful. He's not just putting generalized passion into it. There's full life experience in the exact words he's singing in each moment. I'm guessing you don't speak French but he's got this so deeply inside of him it's excruciating and gorgeous at the same time. Excruciating because of his regret and sense of loss and gorgeous because what it was at its best is still coming through. I've known this song from long before you were born and I want you to know that the level at which you get it and feel it is deeply gratifying for me because it shows me that what it is comes from inside of all of us, he just happened to have seized it, said it, and got it out, and it's still touching people like you.
One evening, during a concert, Jacques Brel sang the same verse twice in a row without realizing it. When he found out about this after the concert, he said "I'm retiring, I'll never perform on stage again!" and he kept his word.
As a French person I feel so lucky to understand these lyrics and growing up with these songs that my mom used to sing to me...
Love this song.. It so deep..
Luckely I understand French..
I listen to a lot of French chansons.
Glad you liked it.
the translation absolutely did it justice wow, first one ive seen thats this good
This version of him singing this song just tears me up. I don't weep.... I sob. I cry copious tears.
French is the language to express feelings in a powerful poetic manner. Brel was part of the 3 "B": Brel, Brassens and Barbara.
Jean Ferrat singing his poems and the ones of Aragon can be added to them
@Thierry Leo ferre aussi... Sur le moment je l'ai oublie.
Le troisième B ne correspond pas à Barbara mais à Guy Béart!!!
Quant à Léo Ferré, il ne plane qu'en dessous de ces trois là
And Léo Ferré !
@@philippechartier3970 Barbara est immense, une musicienne née, pianiste, chanteuse lyrique, un don d'écriture éclatant, des mélodies toutes plus somptueuses les unes que les autres, elle est indissociable de Brassens, Brel et Ferré. La longue dame brune éternelle de l'amour des mots et des notes
I’m from Belgium and Jacques Brel is the best singer of her time
Of her time? Excuse me, but it is without a doubt the best Belgium singer ever.
Great reaction- thanks! The sweat was mixed with his tears, and he did write the song (released in 1959). He WAS a singer, songwriter, actor and poet, but I was told by another singer (my late husband) who personally knew the French singers of that day that Jacques Brel became so emotional whenever he performed it that it seemed to tear him apart. I didn’t know him, but I always had the feeling that it was very personal to him and drawn from his personal life. Can’t hear it without crying.
Il est belge,pas français😉❤🇧🇪
C’est pareil pour eux😂
@@adanadam4779peut-être pour c’est autres! Mais pour les Belges, cet homme est une richesse culturelle tout simplement unique dans l’histoire du monde. Rien ne peut être comparé à ce performer. Un trésors humain unique. Daniel, québécois de St Émile de Suffolk
En tout cas pour nous en France il est admiré soyez en sûr, qu'il soit belge et que le vous le revendiquiez c'est tout à fait normal il aurait largement sa place au panthéon s'il avait été français. Merci à la Belgique 🙏
@@didierpetit7566 effectivement, vous avez entièrement raison❤️🇧🇪🇨🇵
Exactement !
This is a song that marked my youth my parents were huge Brel fans. He is one of the greats. Not as well known is America but he was a huge star is Europe in the days of Edith Piaf. That particular song was voted the most important song of the last century. Brel was also an excellent actor. He had a lot of influence to some known artists (David Bowie to name one). His songs were translated in many languages. Actually Angelina Jordan sings an excellent version of this song in english called "If you go away".
I haven't heard Angelina's version yet. I remember the song from the film Camelot, many years ago.
Every woman would love to be loved like this!
Thanks for reacting! A true classic from a poet who mastered French language, that song brings me to tears every time. Even Nina Simone covered this song in French. Merci!
One of the most beautiful song of the world!
My favorite Brel song is *JEF*, where he describes how je tries to make a depressed friend happy again.
More a heartbroken friend than depressed.
Jojo, the greatest frienship song from Jacques Brel
Thank you for getting thought with this very song and original version. A Hell of a masterpiece.
never has another man sung a broken heart that way, it s almost disturbing it s so honest and profound.
'horse face', as he called himself, was a monster!
A treat to see people who don t speak the language being touched also.
Cheers from France.
Jacques Brel est pour moi, le plus beau cadeau que la Belgique nous ait offert.. :)
There is so much beautiful music in the world that is hidden, because it is not english or populair these days.
So sad and powerfull! thank you.
Thanks for listening
@@HighlyCombustibleReacts It's my story Kiss
There are many artists whose voice make me emotional but Jacques is the only singer make me cry every time I listen to this particular song .
It’s interesting to know his widow Miche just passed away at age of 93 in 2020 despite she wasn’t loved by him during the last days of his life till he died from lung cancer at age of 49 .
Absolutely one of the greatest singer ever!!
He was a poet before he was a performer... and he was a hell of a performer. Love that you do Brel
Superbe chanson , moi je traduis vos paroles en Français en écoutant ce fantastique Jacques Brel , c était les adieux de BREL à l OLYMPIA, la standing ovation et son plublic qui le reclamait encore et encore cette soirée là, inoubliable MONSIEUR JACQUES BREL !!!!!
You're learning French in the process 😁👍😘
He’s was from Belgium like Lara fabian
Et Marc Dutrou
Jacques Brel
This man was not doing music, he was doing theather, he lived his song. None can imitate him.
This song gives me shivers on every listening even though I know it by hart (I'm Belgian (Like him))
you stole my heart with your reaction to garden of remembrance by fish, you handled the subject matter so respectfully this is in my humble opinion another of those absolute passionate songs out there. Hope you are doing well and please keep making videos like this.
Jacques Brel était un tel artiste, un immense, IMMENSE artiste, qui a fait don de son talent, de sa voix, de son coeur, au monde tout entier... Merci 🙏
He makes me cry
yes - finally you are reacting to one of our most amazing Belgian singers!!! :)
And Lara Fabian, i know Jacques Brel is a legend but Lara 's not bad either, fantastic voice
The great Jacque was a superb singer but also a magnificent man, long life Belgium, Flamish and Walon
L une des meilleur prestation de tout les temps, que dieu le benisse.
One of the greatest chanson singers to ever walk the earth, Jaques Brel, Charles Aznavour, and Serge Gainsbourg (oh and let's not forget the amazing Edith Piaf) are all amazing story tellers with amazing voices, singing in the beautiful French language.
Their music is pure poetry set to music, truly beautiful and emotional.. you really dont have to understand a word of it because if you allow it.. you'll feel every word being sung.
Keep these legends of music alive man, their music needs to be heard by newer generations too, what they gave us is too important to "be stuck in French speaking regions only" this is music for everyone.
Et gilbert becaud
@@robertjaget5742 oh yes, another great singer (and pianist)
Et Léo Ferré
Joe dassin
@@soloparaplaystation6624 auteur compositeur desole mais joe dassin ne l est pas il y a renaud dans cette categorie
"I'll offer you Pearls of rain, coming from countries where it doesn't rain" its a really strong statement of what a desperate man is capable for his love.
The beauty of the text cannot be reproduced in any other language than that of its author. Only native French speakers can understand that this is true.
He was a great poet and singer.
And an actor. -:)
Brel n'écrivait pas ses paroles, mais ses musique.
Immense compositeur, interprète, acteur.
Mais pas parolier.
@@charlesb944 Jacques Brel stated publicly that he never sang a song he did not write himself. For him, the words were everything! And he never made an exception to this rule. NEVER. You should check your “facts.”
@@Mimi-zr7ey bonjour, j'ai vérifié, et effectivement j'ai tort.
Merci pour ta correction 🙂
@@charlesb944 bonjour, et merci!
sa fait plaisir de voire un connaissaire de musique française avec des mots et un vraie sens a la chanson, respect a toi
I just learnt to play this on the piano, and every time I play, I cry. I never cry..........this gets me, especially when I play it.
you made me cry with your choice of Brel most beautiful song
One of the most beautiful french love song
Here in The Netherlands we now have a show on "Chansons" presented by Mathijs van Nieuwkerk and Rob Kemps ( yes the guy from the Snollebollekes) the gued us through the French Chansons througout the years.. very intresting show. Edith Piaff was on, some Brell too.. Dalida... and some Aznavour... and short pieces of random other French chansons
It’s great to see him reaching a wider audience even though he’s been dead for so long.
I never thought that I will see reaction on this ♥️🥺🥺🥺
La plus belle chanson et prestation que je connaisse merci de le partager et d’analyser cette œuvre en anglais
Thanks you
Mr Jacques Brel est une légende , un super artiste , j'ai eu la chance de l'écouter depuis tout petit et c'est vraiment un grand poête ...
Quelle passion!! So poignant! 1st time seeing the vidéo! Merci !!!
oooh i cried agaiiiiiiiiiin!! every time i watch this video i cry ! "ces gens là " is also amazing.. well he has so many good songs , some funny too !
Hé was ammaissing thank you for your reaction.
Beste Janet, de juiste spelling is ‘amazing’. There you go 🤗
@@Mazil_5 thank you .
@@Mazil_5 😘💕🙏😉👍🙋♀️
Thank you for appreciating Brel, he's timeless. His songs were compiled into a Broadway musical back in the sixties (Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well). I think you might enjoy Marieke, one other song that was in that musical.
You can always request the song, the links are in the description!! Cheers Suzette #TeamHighly
This belgium's singer is super famous in Belgium and France ! Powerful songs and performance ! Many said Stromae (from Belgium too) is new "Jacques Brel".
Jacques Brel, un immense poète !
Back when I was 5-6, I remember listening my parents singing along and learning to sing along as well, following the emotion of the GIGANTIC Jacques. Unbelievable delivery as usual
Es grandioso que reacciones a estas canciones antiguas, pero que son una verdadera joya y obras de arte literarias y musicales.
Ojalá tus videos tuvieran subtitulos en español.
Saludos desde Santiago de Chile.
the two greatest musical poets , for me, is Jacques Brel in French and Leonard Cohen in english
Indeed!
Brel !
I totally agree !!
Yes, I would also agree with that. Two incredible writers of song lyrics.
RIP Jacques! I am truly waiting to see someone stepping up with the same passion, heartfelt emotions, and so on ... but with that beautiful expressive voice. My Christmass present is waiting ...
Very glad to be from québec Canada I can understand the original version and hear you guys be amaze
Brel is a master I know all his songs
Who in their right mind could dislike this?!!!
the French singers ( mainly the classic ones ) are very poetic, those kind of lyrics are not an exceptions, to the contrary, they are the rule of French music perfection. Anyone who wants to learn to speak French, should listen to those classic singers and some new ones like Stromae. No wonder the Voltaire's language is considered the most romantic of all.
a classic! So beautiful!
Hello i'm Belgian, i love Jacques Brel and glad you liked the song...
One of the LOVE SONGS of all times.
Love this song very much in English it's called If you go away and is sung by many famous singers but i love the French version most. Barbara Streisand went to see him in a concert to hear tis song and then he didn't sing it. her version is great too by the way,
Hi, I'm Francois from Paris (France). I feel so proud that you discover my chilhood's songs, and appreciate them !
Jacques Brel was born in Belgium in 1929, died in France in 1978.
His long carier made him a singer, author, but also an actor (he created the Man de la Mancha in France), played in several films and realized also some films knowned as classical cinema in France.
At the end of his life, he suddenly stopped all creation work, and moved to the Masquise" islands in Pacific ocean with the last women he loved.
I'd be happy to make you know some other french singers from the same period, as Barbara or Serge Gainsbourg.
By the way, I love your vlogs and the emotion you feel and transmite to us.
Hello from belgium!! :D ♥
We send you a lot of love with our master Jacques Brel ♥ !
Thank you as well to share his art !
Kind regards all !
One of the most emotional love songs ever written. He wrote so many fantastic songs (Amsterdam, Vesoul, Quand on a de l'amour, la Walse à mille temps - incredible speed of diction) and then decided to move to the South Seas where he died of cancer. He was also a great actor.
Brel is passion each time, with every subject matter.
You could take all of his songs. All are masterpieces.
Jacq Brel is a master
Quelles paroles. Quel grand homme...
Nowaday the french pupils can study Jacques brel's songs for the litterature test of the french "baccalauréat". Because of for us Jacques Brel was more than a singer. He Is a poet like Baudelaire, Byron etc....When I was teen my high school called lycée Jacques Brel.
Merci la Belgique pour ce monstre de la chanson française
Merci de faire partager cette très belle chanson de Brel !