The first couple of times you hear this song it is depressing. However, if you listen to it as someone who has accepted his fate, there is a beauty to it. The sadness and the joy and not fighting anymore.
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel. Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
This song was a big hit and had a high rotation on the radio. This song was written about a close Friend who had leukemia, and passed away. This song was Terry Jack's only hit, thus making him a One Hit Wonder
There's a lot of misinformation about this song. It's was actually written in French by composer Jacques Brel in 1961 in a piece called "Le Moribond". It's about Brel's wife having a sexual affair with his best friend. He's saying goodbye to them in this song as if they had died to him. The Kingston Trio also recorded a version of this song a few years earlier which is how Jacks became aware of it.
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel. Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
I remember this song so well,even though I was only a child it was played countless times on the radio.This was inspired by a friend who had been diagnosed with leukemia and passed away a few months later.
The lyrics were originally written by Jacques Brel and was translated from French into English by the poet/singer Rod Mckuen who recorded his own version of the song in 1963. Terry Jacks added the last verse to the song in his version.
Yes, what you said. My friend had one of those kid record players and she had like 3 45's so this song would replay over and over, and then Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney and Bay City Rollers Saturday Night LOL
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel. Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel. Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
I was just a kid when this came out. It was a sad little song for a kid to walk around singing. The 70's had lots of songs like that. Give a listen to another 70's classic Billy Don't Be a Hero.
IIRC, "Billy Don't Be a Hero" was performed by "Paper Lace". It was on side 2 of a 45 r.p.m. record I had as a kid. "The Night Chicago Died" was on side 1.
This came out around the same time as John Denver's "Sunshine on my Shoulder" and were played all summer on the radio in 1974 when I was 16! Takes me back to a wonderful summer!
Terry Jacks and his wife, Susan, were part of a group called The Poppy Family back in the ‘60s. They had a huge hit with a song called “Which Way You Going, Billy?” With a lead vocal by the talented and beautiful Susan. You might want to check that one out.
@@TSM-908 Thank you for sending me the link to Donny and Marie. I just saw it after I responded to you. I like it, but I like the way the Poppy Family does it better.
Yes, 'Honey' by Bobby Goldsboro is a beautiful, although very sad, song and so is 'Billy Don't Be A Hero' by Paperlace. You should definitely listen to them both, please
The original version of this song - called “Le Moribond” (translated “The Dying Man”) and sung in French - was based on the tale of an old man dying of heartache due to his wife cheating on him with his best friend. However, Terry Jacks, in dedication to a friend who was dying of leukemia at the time, reworked the track, excluding references to the aforementioned story and instead basing it on a man’s final words to some distinct people whom he loves.
This is actually a remake of a remake the original is "Le Moribond" it was made over in 1963 by the Kingston Trio. Terry Jacks thought it was to dark and rewrote the last verse it went "Adieu Françoise, my trusted wife Without you I'd have had a lonely life You cheated lots of times, but then I forgave you in the end Though your lover was my friend Adieu Françoise, it's hard to die When all the birds are singing in the sky Now that the spring is in the air With your lovers everywhere Just be careful, I'll be there
The inspiration for the rewritten lyrics was a close friend of his who was suffering from acute leukemia and died four months later. The Terry Jacks rendition, which was later dedicated to the friend, has the dying man giving his last words to his loved ones with whom he shared his life, much like the original.
So much emotion in this song. I think as we get older and lose family and friends we connect to this more and more. At least that’s how it is for me. There is such beauty in this song. There is appreciation and acceptance. No bitterness. I can’t relate to a reluctant “okay” assessment of this in the least. It’s a perfect connection of lyrics to the music to the delivery. Not many song capture such a heartachingly bittersweet part of the human experience as this song does.
I know you guys weren't really impressed with this song, but thanks for sharing! It hits differently for those of us that were listening to the radio back then. I will always love this song.
One of the saddest and most beautiful songs ever recorded. I don’t know if it makes me happy that he was a one hit wonder or sad. I would have loved to have seen what else he could do, but this song is perfection. Please react to weird Al Yankovic.
It’s amazing how songs can evoke memories. I remember this song being all over the radio back in high school. It always reminds me of a classmate who was dating a good friend of mine. He was killed in a car accident. Her image at his wake has remained vivid in my mind. They were so in love. Sadly, he didn’t have the chance to say goodbye.
This was one of the first two 45s I bought with my own money. The other from the same time period was "Billy Don't Be A Hero" by Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. Would love to have you react to that as well.
Wow haven't heard this song in decades. Came out when I was a young kid and it was just a fun song. Now as a grandmother I admit I was choked up at times. Never caught before that Michelle was HIS little one. Heartbreaking.
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel. Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master at work!
"Seasons in the Sun" is an English version of the 1961 Belgian song "Le Moribond" (in English "The Dying Man") by Jacques Brel with lyrics rewritten in 1963 by American singer-poet Rod McKuen, portraying a dying man's farewell to his loved ones. It became a worldwide hit in 1974 for Canadian singer Terry Jacks. A song that is joyful and terribly sad at the same time.
I graduated 8th grade from Catholic school in 1980 and we had to get the nuns to approve our song that we sang at our graduation in the church. They turned down a lot of our options but then said yes to Seasons in the Sun. It has a special meaning to me because of that.
A couple of years before this Terry had a hit with his then wife Susan Jacks called "Which Way You Going Billy" , they called themselves the Poppy Family. Was very good too.
I was about 7 years old when this song came out, and we sang slightly different words for the chorus. "We had joy , we had fun, flicking bogeys at the sun, but the sun was too hot so the bogeys turned to snot". It's sad that i still remember it nearly 50 years on. Men never grow up.
I was a kid when this came out and this made me so sad, it made me think about my grandmother dying, who I loved so much. Now being chronically ill the song has even more meaning.
I was a child when this was a hit in Canada. Terry Jacks is/was Canadian and the original version of this song was in French. One of my high school friends has been fighting Multiple Myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow, for a couple of years. Last week he and his wife decided to seek hospice help and to let Nature take Her course. Last night there was a vigil of friends and family, with at least thirty people in their yard, holding candles. My friend is slipping away peacefully. This song was well timed, Rob Squad.
Wow, my DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) teacher always played this song over and over in 1974/75 when we (our class) traveled a few times in his car for our state and national conventions. Thanks for bringing back some memories!
I don't know who I'm here and there's Mike's may think about the Chevy Van remember that song? Made love in my Chevy Van Hey you could throw a rock for me and a hand that's how small it was s*** come on bro
OMG! That may have been the first "pop" song that I learned the lyrics to. My best friend's Mom had this single and, even though it was sad, we played it endlessly because of the upbeat nature of the chorus. I always saw it as a celebration of the life the writer had lived and was his attempt to cheer up the people dealing with his passing.
This song invokes so many emotions.....beautifully written and sung.....thank you for doing this song from my childhood 🙏. Now I've gotta get my tissue ready for the song 🕊️💗
Such a sad song but it draws you in at the same time because it deals with what we all know is inevitable, and does it in such a heart-warming way. Terry Jacks was a master at telling a story in this song! I've known this song since I was just a kid. I remember it would get stuck in my head and I would go around humming it literally for days!
Love this great song. It reminds me of my best friend who I met in 7th grade. Thank God we are both still around and in frequent contact 55 years later! Whichever of us leaves this earth first will think of the other. Beautiful memories through the many years!
I've lost more than I'd like to say of people who knew they were about to die and had time to share happy memories before saying goodbye. This song represents the peace you can have at those final moments. This song weirdly makes me happy remembering the times I had with my loved ones.
Smile and rejoice in the life you have and had. At sixty three and recovering from a triple by-pass, with my wife just having heart surgery yesterday, and a great-granddaughter fighting for her life after a major illness and surgery (in a medical induced coma) I can tell you that the life you have had and currently have should be rejoiced as having "joy and fun and seasons in the sun".
Terry Jacks was a one-hit wonder, but this song is a wonderful example of what they called Bubblegum pop. If you want something kind of like this, try Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods' Billy Don't Be a Hero or maybe The Night Chicago Died by Paper Lace.
I heard this a lot as a kid, understood it better as an adult. Isn't it so nice that all the things he remembered and valued the most were the people in his life and smaller meaningful things?
I rememebr this song from when I was a kid. At the time, I recognized the depth of the subject, but wasn't too appreciative of it, didn't want to admit it. Now that I'm almost 60, I can accept and appreciate the song much more.
Today is my 1 year plus 1 day anniversary with you two making me smile every single day. This song sure took me back, I even remembered most of the words. Thanks for that great song...
He wrote this song for "The Beatles" and it was originally called "The Dying Man". But, The Beatles didn't want to cut/do it. So, Terry changed the name to "Seasons In The Sun" and did it himself in 1974, and it was a number one song for 3 weeks. But, it stayed in the top 40 for a very long time.
Among all the 33 rpm albums I purchased in my youth, I still have this one. It was a favorite. That's why I clicked onto this video . . . to see how a younger generation responds to Terry Jacks. You gave a great reaction to the song, understanding the story behind the song from Terry Jacks' 1974 rendition. Interesting, on a personal level, I also was diagnosed (7 yrs later in 1979) with cancer and pronounced by medical statistics just 2-3 months to live. Praise the LORD Jesus, the Christ, here I am more that 43 years later still living despite those prognostications. I still love this song. It's an opportunity to take into consideration that our lives are short . . . and for some shorter than for others. It's also an opportunity to uplift and raise up those prayers for others through the years who face dire obstacles and health issues.
I remember SEASONS IN THE SUN used to be played atleast 4 - 5 times a day on the radio in the early to mid 1970s. God bless you guys. Lots of love from Mumbai, India.
My gosh. This was my favorite song when I was 7 years old. The baby sitter would put on the record on the big stereo and crank it. Had a big crush on that baby sitter... lol
Hey guys, I've been hearing this song since I was a child in the 70s and no matter how often I hear it it breaks my heart every time. When you're on your deathbed and reflecting back on your life what do you want to see there? That's how I make my decisions and live life in the present.
The way he was singing is more melancholy, not happy, not sad, but accepting. Thinking of the memories. You gotta do Rock And Roll Heaven by The Righteous Brothers. It's an ode to all the rockers who passed away too soon. Cool cool song!
I was five years old when this song came out. My first favorite song- I absolutely loved it! I think what I liked most about it was the lyric “Goodbye Michelle my little one” because that’s my middle name.
I was a kindergartener when this song hit #1 and I memorized it word for word and would sing it start to finish to whomever would listen, LOL (I was five).
Today was my birthday, November 8th, 1965. I turn 57 and in my somewhat short lifetime I've watched a lot of souls I've known very well pass. And a very good friend died of leukemia when I was young , this song is about that. I shut that out of my head the past several decades until today , thanks for bringing a tear. Don't get me wrong, it was much needed. Blessed be.
Guys & gals I grew up listening to these golden oldies O.MD., T.J., S.M. Was point in time of my journey in life, just if saying they are soothing from soul.
You too, are the first to react to this song who immediately understood that he is dying. I keep watching reaction videos to this because I am stunned that nobody gets the fact that he’s dying, even though he says it over and over again. I knew you too would get it. ❤
This song was on the radio a lot in the spring of ‘74, when I was in the 5th grade. I remember singing along with the chorus on the school bus, but somehow I missed that it was a sad song. Guess I didn’t pay attention to the words back then (at all). A lot of Top-40 hits in the mid-70s told stories. And some of them were quite sad ("Alone Again, Naturally" which you covered, this song, "Billy Don’t Be A Hero", and "Daddy Please Don’t"). Others weren’t as sad, but quite serious, like “Half Breed" by Cher. Others Diana Ross’ "Last Time I Saw Him" which has a country sound to it.
There is a lot of misinformation about this song, probably because it's very easy to take it to heart. This song is actually derived from a poem written in 1961 called "Le Moribond" which was used as part of a performance piece by composer Jacques Brel. It was written in French. It's about a man who finds that his best friend and girlfriend were messing around behind his back. This song is a farewell to each of them. Apparently this is a true story as it happened to Brel. Terry Jacks met with Brel in Belgium and decided to record the song in his own way. The interesting thing is that the Kingston Trio ("Louie Louie") also recorded a version of this song which is how Terry Jacks originally new of it.
I love Terry Jacks! His sister Susan had alot of songs also. My favorites are "good friends", "you don't know what love is", "which way you going Billy", and "that's where I went wrong". Great memories for me! She and her brother have alot of songs that are great!
Susan (b. Susan Pesklevits) was Terry's wife, not his sister. They divorced in 1973, which is why "The Poppy Family" broke up and Terry went solo for this 1974 hit.
@@Jessica_Roth yep! Just corrected it. Someone told me they were brother and sister in highschool. Guess I never heard otherwise. Thx for correcting me!
Another reaction couple, Asia and BJ, randomly popped up on my UA-cam feed this morning reacting to this same song. Your video had not been posted yet. I hadn’t heard Seasons in the Sun for years so I watched their video. Coincidence? I just want you to know that I appreciate you two so much and your astuteness and maturity in understanding the songs is why I look forward to your reactions. The couple in the first video did not pick up on the fact that he was dying! They did not get the meaning at all until at the end when BJ read a chat post . ROB Squad is the BEST.
As someone who grew up in the 70's I can tell you, lots of sad songs. You did Alone Again Naturally couple days ago, which I think may be the saddest. But you also have Daddy Don't You Walk so Fast, Run Joey Run, Last Song, Shannon, Sunshine.
This song is a big part of my life we had the 45 rpm record ....on the up side you got the hear Ricky Scaggs with "country boy" you will go wild with it.,....
This was a huge number one in the UK in 1974, I was 6 years old. I've loved the song ever since. If you think this is a sad song try listening to "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro. It'll tear you up 😪 Much love from England 🏴
Terry Jacks’ rewritten rendition, which was dedicated to his friend who had died of leukemia…a dying man giving his last words to his loved ones with whom he shared his life. However, the man does not die broken-hearted but instead, acknowledges the rights and wrongs of his actions in life as he passes away peacefully. It’s a sad song, no doubt, but it’s a song that can remind us all the importance of living our lives as if it were our last day, and to be thankful, and appreciate even the littlest of moments. Seasons in the Sun was released in the United States in December 1973 and made the Billboard Hot 100 a month later. On March 2, 1974, the song began a three-week run at number one atop the Hot 100.
This song came out not long after my uncle died at the age of 20 in September of 1973 (11 days before his 21st birthday). He was definitely the family black sheep. A "hippie" in a conservative PA town who NEVER got along with his dad. My grandmother couldn't stand it because it described him so well, especially the verse about Michelle. My cousin was only 11 days old when she lost her dad.
Other one-hit wonders from the 70s, these three can be Female Friday choices: "Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur; "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Maxine Nightingale; "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson
I thought Don't Leave Me This Way was Thelma Houston, didn't Maxine Nightingale do 'Right Back Where We Started From? Another good female one was New York to LA by Patsy Gallant.
Eric Clapton's song "Tears in Heaven" is especially poignant because it was written in response to the death of his son. Led Zeppelin's song "All of My Love" is Robert Plant's tribute to his son who also had died. Finally, folk singer Phil Ochs (pronounced Oaks) had the song, "When I'm Gone," which gained added meaning about 10 year later when he took his own life because of mental health issues.
This retired 8th grade science teacher is addicted to your vlogs. I can't just watch 1. If I start, I go to next to next to next for an hour. Appreciate you both and every video y'all do.
Terry Jacks was more of a songwriter than a singer. He wrote this song but couldn't find anyone to sing it, so he decided to sing it himself. I once had a boss who made fun of me for liking this song. The entire office went silent when I promptly responded, "it reminds me of my brother who passed away a few years ago". He had no choice but to just turn around and walk silently and shamefully back to his office.
Terry Jacks did not exactly write this song. He translated the lyrics from the original French, reworking them considerably to remove references to a cheating wife. He wrote not a single note of the melody. The song is actually by Jacques Brel, the Belgian songwriter.
@@tomenrico6199 Apparently Casey Cassom was lying on American Top 40 when he said Terry Jacks wrote the song and decided to sing it himself when he couldn't find anyone to do it.
@@tangoindiamike9189 : Yes I had heard something of the same thing about this song. Terry Jacks translated, rearranged and reworked this song for The Beach Boys to do but they did not like it. He asked other artists but they did not want to do it either so Terry Jacks did it and it was a big hit for him.
@@acorrado5529 It was Rod McKuen who did that (he did a load of translations of Brel songs). Then Terry Jacks took McKuen's version and re-wrote it even more.
This song was written by Jacques Brel and translated into English by Rod McKuen. As for Terry Jacks, he is a Canadian who also had success in The Poppy Family with his ex-wife Susan Jacks with songs like "Where Evil Grows" and "Which Way You Goin' Billy?". Sadly she passed away earlier this year.
I'm glad you guys mentioned Elvis! I will keep saying this until you guys do it, you MUST check out the black suited Elvis from his 68 comeback special! The sit down jam session! You got to see those at 4:00 but you've never seen him like this!! I would suggest his song trying to get to you, but there are others you could do, one night with you, lawdy Miss clawdy, baby what do you want me to do. This is Elvis at the very very top of his game!
The first couple of times you hear this song it is depressing. However, if you listen to it as someone who has accepted his fate, there is a beauty to it. The sadness and the joy and not fighting anymore.
Little girls in Jr High school sometimes cry when song came on radio.
Exactly. When you look back you can see how beautiful you life has been. I have CHF. I have had incredible memories.
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel.
Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
I have listened to this song for decades and it still makes me sad
@@deannealbrecht774 I am trying to end my life... Everyday is a battle but the memories are still there.. Some good most bad..
Seasons in the Sun is one of those songs that stay with you forever.
It was song of the year for 1974.
Absolutely
All time great !
This song was a big hit and had a high rotation on the radio. This song was written about a close Friend who had leukemia, and passed away.
This song was Terry Jack's only hit, thus making him a One Hit Wonder
He & his wife Susan Jacks
had a collective one-hit wonder
with their group The Poppy Family--
"Which Way You Goin', Billy?"
There's a lot of misinformation about this song. It's was actually written in French by composer Jacques Brel in 1961 in a piece called "Le Moribond". It's about Brel's wife having a sexual affair with his best friend. He's saying goodbye to them in this song as if they had died to him. The Kingston Trio also recorded a version of this song a few years earlier which is how Jacks became aware of it.
At Laust Cawz - wow I have loved both these songs for nearly 5O years, and never knew that Terry Jacks was in the Poppy Family - thanks for the info.
@@avestuart rod mckuen also had a great version
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel.
Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
I'm a big metal head and this song always brings me to tears.
Dying of stage four cancer right now. This song is perfect. Makes you cry and smile but it tells the story.
@jcrhdd I hope you're still here bud keep fighting ❤.
I remember this song so well,even though I was only a child it was played countless times on the radio.This was inspired by a friend who had been diagnosed with leukemia and passed away a few months later.
It's adapted from a French song, though: Le Moribund.
ua-cam.com/video/p_39pRe76L8/v-deo.html
The lyrics were originally written by Jacques Brel and was translated from French into English by the poet/singer Rod Mckuen who recorded his own version of the song in 1963. Terry Jacks added the last verse to the song in his version.
Yes, what you said. My friend had one of those kid record players and she had like 3 45's so this song would replay over and over, and then Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney and Bay City Rollers Saturday Night LOL
I think I was 9 when this came out, but I have always remembered it.
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel.
Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
One of the greatest One Hit Wonder out there.. Love this song...❤️
Well he did have a hit (with his wife at the time) with the Poppy Family.
@@DerekDominoes which way you goin Billy
Austin Roberts Rocky
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel.
Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master!
His album is worth a listen to, there's about 4 or 5 (imo) good songs on it.
I was just a kid when this came out. It was a sad little song for a kid to walk around singing. The 70's had lots of songs like that. Give a listen to another 70's classic Billy Don't Be a Hero.
Shannon by Henry Gross too
Which came out right around the same time.
Another bittersweet hit from the 70s is Bobby Goldsboro - Honey
@@rossrubino9080 I wonder if they'd ever guess the song is about a dog.
IIRC, "Billy Don't Be a Hero" was performed by "Paper Lace". It was on side 2 of a 45 r.p.m. record I had as a kid. "The Night Chicago Died" was on side 1.
This came out around the same time as John Denver's "Sunshine on my Shoulder" and were played all summer on the radio in 1974 when I was 16! Takes me back to a wonderful summer!
I was 14! Those were such a great time in our young lives!!!!!
All those great great singer/songwriter sons of the 70's . Loved them all and still do.
@@rbcinmia my favorite years for songs the '70s they don't write them like they used to or sing them.
my dad was born in 71 and he listens to this song
I was 11 in '74, I like watching your face going from " this has a good vibe, to oh wow, what... This is sad.
Terry Jacks and his wife, Susan, were part of a group called The Poppy Family back in the ‘60s. They had a huge hit with a song called “Which Way You Going, Billy?” With a lead vocal by the talented and beautiful Susan. You might want to check that one out.
R I P Susan Jacks
Which way you goin Billy is such a beautiful song, Rest in Peace Susan.
@@TSM-908 I never heard it from Donny and Marie. Was it Seasons in the sun or Which way you going Billy?
@@TSM-908 No apologies necessary, I was just making sure. Thank you so much!
@@TSM-908 Thank you for sending me the link to Donny and Marie. I just saw it after I responded to you. I like it, but I like the way the Poppy Family does it better.
OMG!! I remember!! Never could listen to it without crying! Love it. Another song like this is Bobby Goldsboro, "Honey'. Check out please
Honey will hurt your heart as will Billy Don’t Be A Hero
Honey was always my mom’s favorite song. Now she has passed, and Honey has new meaning.
Yes, my oldest sister died at 3 and my mom planted a willow tree in the backyard for her and it got so big.
Yes, 'Honey' by Bobby Goldsboro is a beautiful, although very sad, song and so is 'Billy Don't Be A Hero' by Paperlace. You should definitely listen to them both, please
Looking back to a time of lost innocence-very much a Vietnam era song.
It’s time for some Dan Fogelberg- Leader of the Band. It is a tribute to his father. He has many, many other hits too.
Amen!!
Bring on Dan!!!
Yes yes yes!
Yes,yes, yes, bring on Dan Fogleberg, leader of the band
The original version of this song - called “Le Moribond” (translated “The Dying Man”) and sung in French - was based on the tale of an old man dying of heartache due to his wife cheating on him with his best friend. However, Terry Jacks, in dedication to a friend who was dying of leukemia at the time, reworked the track, excluding references to the aforementioned story and instead basing it on a man’s final words to some distinct people whom he loves.
"The Blind Man in the Bleachers" by David Geddes is another year jerker.
This is actually a remake of a remake the original is "Le Moribond" it was made over in 1963 by the Kingston Trio. Terry Jacks thought it was to dark and rewrote the last verse it went
"Adieu Françoise, my trusted wife
Without you I'd have had a lonely life
You cheated lots of times, but then
I forgave you in the end
Though your lover was my friend
Adieu Françoise, it's hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
With your lovers everywhere
Just be careful, I'll be there
The original is from Jacques Brel - Le moribond.
Reminds me of my friend who survived Lymphoma as a kid, but died forty years later from the effects of all his treatments !
The inspiration for the rewritten lyrics was a close friend of his who was suffering from acute leukemia and died four months later. The Terry Jacks rendition, which was later dedicated to the friend, has the dying man giving his last words to his loved ones with whom he shared his life, much like the original.
So much emotion in this song. I think as we get older and lose family and friends we connect to this more and more. At least that’s how it is for me. There is such beauty in this song. There is appreciation and acceptance. No bitterness. I can’t relate to a reluctant “okay” assessment of this in the least. It’s a perfect connection of lyrics to the music to the delivery. Not many song capture such a heartachingly bittersweet part of the human experience as this song does.
This song and Bobby Goldsboro's Honey always brought tears
Oh, Lord. That song will do them in. Haven't heard Honey in forever but you don't forget sadness like that.
Listen to "Rose's for Mama"
I know you guys weren't really impressed with this song, but thanks for sharing! It hits differently for those of us that were listening to the radio back then. I will always love this song.
One of the saddest and most beautiful songs ever recorded. I don’t know if it makes me happy that he was a one hit wonder or sad. I would have loved to have seen what else he could do, but this song is perfection. Please react to weird Al Yankovic.
Let us not forget all those dead teenager songs we had in the 60s
Yes, one of the saddest hits ever. They’re not going to find another one of his songs because, as you said, he was a one-hit wonder.
It’s amazing how songs can evoke memories. I remember this song being all over the radio back in high school. It always reminds me of a classmate who was dating a good friend of mine. He was killed in a car accident. Her image at his wake has remained vivid in my mind. They were so in love. Sadly, he didn’t have the chance to say goodbye.
This was one of the first two 45s I bought with my own money. The other from the same time period was "Billy Don't Be A Hero" by Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods. Would love to have you react to that as well.
Yes!
Awesome. My first 45 was "Ride Captain Ride." Some things, you never forget.
I was just about to post that always conflate those songs in mind and think of We had joy as also being anti-war song. (Although it is not.)
I was 8 when tthis was playing on the radio
Wow haven't heard this song in decades. Came out when I was a young kid and it was just a fun song. Now as a grandmother I admit I was choked up at times. Never caught before that Michelle was HIS little one. Heartbreaking.
I would suggest everyone who likes this song to listen to the original from the great great songwriter/performer Jacques Brel.
Search here for Jacques Brel - Le Moribond (english subtitles) and you're there. Breathtaking. The master at work!
THANK YOU ... I'VE WAITED FOR THIS
SONG I'VE REGUEST
IT,BUT DON'T KNOW IF YOU IT FROM ME BUT
THANK YOU. SAD SONG.TAKE CARE YOU ARE SPECIAL COUPLE.
"Seasons in the Sun" is an English version of the 1961 Belgian song "Le Moribond" (in English "The Dying Man") by Jacques Brel with lyrics rewritten in 1963 by American singer-poet Rod McKuen, portraying a dying man's farewell to his loved ones. It became a worldwide hit in 1974 for Canadian singer Terry Jacks. A song that is joyful and terribly sad at the same time.
I graduated 8th grade from Catholic school in 1980 and we had to get the nuns to approve our song that we sang at our graduation in the church. They turned down a lot of our options but then said yes to Seasons in the Sun. It has a special meaning to me because of that.
This song was given to my brother in law back in 73/74 he passed away at age of 22 from cancer. So hard, so heartbreaking.... suffered so...
So glad you've gotten to this one. It was one of the first songs I can remember hearing on the radio in the 70s.
Everytime I hear it I also remember The Lion Sleeps Tonight and One Tin Soldier 🕊️💗
A couple of years before this Terry had a hit with his then wife Susan Jacks called "Which Way You Going Billy" , they called themselves the Poppy Family. Was very good too.
Some of the most syrupy treacle out there in the musicverse, but you can't help loving it.
I was about 7 years old when this song came out, and we sang slightly different words for the chorus.
"We had joy , we had fun, flicking bogeys at the sun, but the sun was too hot so the bogeys turned to snot".
It's sad that i still remember it nearly 50 years on. Men never grow up.
So did me and my mates.
I was a kid when this came out and this made me so sad, it made me think about my grandmother dying, who I loved so much. Now being chronically ill the song has even more meaning.
This song still makes me tear up. Always did.❤
I was a child when this was a hit in Canada. Terry Jacks is/was Canadian and the original version of this song was in French.
One of my high school friends has been fighting Multiple Myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow, for a couple of years. Last week he and his wife decided to seek hospice help and to let Nature take Her course. Last night there was a vigil of friends and family, with at least thirty people in their yard, holding candles. My friend is slipping away peacefully. This song was well timed, Rob Squad.
Seasons in the Sun - this song always makes me cry. 😢
Same.
Wow, my DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) teacher always played this song over and over in 1974/75 when we (our class) traveled a few times in his car for our state and national conventions. Thanks for bringing back some memories!
You just got to love it
I don't know who I'm here and there's Mike's may think about the Chevy Van remember that song? Made love in my Chevy Van Hey you could throw a rock for me and a hand that's how small it was s*** come on bro
haven't heard this song for at least 20 + years. more like 30 years. loved the song.
The original version of this song was in French by Jacques Brel, with a much more bitter and sarcastic lyric and very dramatic delivery.
I love Rod McKuen’s translated interpretation. It sounds much more like poetry, and not some run-of-the-mill pop song.
OMG! That may have been the first "pop" song that I learned the lyrics to. My best friend's Mom had this single and, even though it was sad, we played it endlessly because of the upbeat nature of the chorus. I always saw it as a celebration of the life the writer had lived and was his attempt to cheer up the people dealing with his passing.
This song invokes so many emotions.....beautifully written and sung.....thank you for doing this song from my childhood 🙏. Now I've gotta get my tissue ready for the song 🕊️💗
Such a sad song but it draws you in at the same time because it deals with what we all know is inevitable, and does it in such a heart-warming way. Terry Jacks was a master at telling a story in this song! I've known this song since I was just a kid. I remember it would get stuck in my head and I would go around humming it literally for days!
Love this great song. It reminds me of my best friend who I met in 7th grade. Thank God we are both still around and in frequent contact 55 years later! Whichever of us leaves this earth first will think of the other. Beautiful memories through the many years!
I've lost more than I'd like to say of people who knew they were about to die and had time to share happy memories before saying goodbye. This song represents the peace you can have at those final moments. This song weirdly makes me happy remembering the times I had with my loved ones.
TERRY JACKS HAD ONE OTHER HIT WITH THE POPPY FAMILY CALLED "WHICH WAY YOU GOING BILLIE"
I sang this as a child too, I felt it was cheerful at that time. From time to time I think about this song.
Man this takes me back. love it!
Yes someone says that about every song they've ever heard..
My senior year in high school. Ah, the memories. The 70's, the greatest decade u won't remember.
Smile and rejoice in the life you have and had. At sixty three and recovering from a triple by-pass, with my wife just having heart surgery yesterday, and a great-granddaughter fighting for her life after a major illness and surgery (in a medical induced coma) I can tell you that the life you have had and currently have should be rejoiced as having "joy and fun and seasons in the sun".
I haven’t heard this song for years, I love it. Thanks beautiful people for the reaction 😘
Terry Jacks was a one-hit wonder, but this song is a wonderful example of what they called Bubblegum pop. If you want something kind of like this, try Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods' Billy Don't Be a Hero or maybe The Night Chicago Died by Paper Lace.
Had all three of those on 45s , I was really young, what did I know 😆😁🙆
I heard this a lot as a kid, understood it better as an adult. Isn't it so nice that all the things he remembered and valued the most were the people in his life and smaller meaningful things?
Love your comment 💛🙂
I rememebr this song from when I was a kid. At the time, I recognized the depth of the subject, but wasn't too appreciative of it, didn't want to admit it. Now that I'm almost 60, I can accept and appreciate the song much more.
Today is my 1 year plus 1 day anniversary with you two making me smile every single day. This song sure took me back, I even remembered most of the words. Thanks for that great song...
I still remembered them all!!
@@marlablickhahn7158 Awesome!
Same here!
@@jonisteinbach7240 Don't you love when that happens!
Oh my gosh. It has been so long since I have heard this song. It’s a valuable memory.
I want this played at my funeral.
He wrote this song for "The Beatles" and it was originally called "The Dying Man". But, The Beatles didn't want to cut/do it. So, Terry changed the name to "Seasons In The Sun" and did it himself in 1974, and it was a number one song for 3 weeks. But, it stayed in the top 40 for a very long time.
Among all the 33 rpm albums I purchased in my youth, I still have this one. It was a favorite. That's why I clicked onto this video . . . to see how a younger generation responds to Terry Jacks. You gave a great reaction to the song, understanding the story behind the song from Terry Jacks' 1974 rendition. Interesting, on a personal level, I also was diagnosed (7 yrs later in 1979) with cancer and pronounced by medical statistics just 2-3 months to live. Praise the LORD Jesus, the Christ, here I am more that 43 years later still living despite those prognostications. I still love this song. It's an opportunity to take into consideration that our lives are short . . . and for some shorter than for others. It's also an opportunity to uplift and raise up those prayers for others through the years who face dire obstacles and health issues.
have you ever done 'Cats in the Cradle'? That song - another huge hit from early 70s, has a feel like this- seasons changing/life going on.
I remember SEASONS IN THE SUN used to be played atleast 4 - 5 times a day on the radio in the early to mid 1970s.
God bless you guys. Lots of love from Mumbai, India.
My gosh. This was my favorite song when I was 7 years old. The baby sitter would put on the record on the big stereo and crank it. Had a big crush on that baby sitter... lol
Another huge #1 hit! This one was from 1974. Terry is Canadian.
JUST FOUND OUT LAST WEEK MY FRIEND MICHELLE
PAST AWAY IN 2005
SHE 47 YEARS OLD
I DIDN'T K OW WHERE SHE MOVED TOO.
LOVE YOU NICK NAME WAS SUGGIE💞💞💞
Hey guys, I've been hearing this song since I was a child in the 70s and no matter how
often I hear it it breaks my heart every time. When you're on your deathbed and reflecting
back on your life what do you want to see there? That's how I make my decisions and live
life in the present.
The way he was singing is more melancholy, not happy, not sad, but accepting. Thinking of the memories. You gotta do Rock And Roll Heaven by The Righteous Brothers. It's an ode to all the rockers who passed away too soon. Cool cool song!
I was five years old when this song came out. My first favorite song- I absolutely loved it! I think what I liked most about it was the lyric “Goodbye Michelle my little one” because that’s my middle name.
I was a kindergartener when this song hit #1 and I memorized it word for word and would sing it start to finish to whomever would listen, LOL (I was five).
WOW!!! This was my first pick after ALONE AGAIN NATURALLY!!!!!!! Next 70s hit, I THINK I LOVE YOU by The Partridge Family!!!!!!!!!
Alot of these artists are "one hit wonders".
This one especially I always wondered why it was a hit
Being a preteen in the early 70’s this brings back memories
"One Tin Soldier" by Coven is another great song of the era!
Yes...another great song.....full of feeling, and meaning.
Today was my birthday, November 8th, 1965. I turn 57 and in my somewhat short lifetime I've watched a lot of souls I've known very well pass. And a very good friend died of leukemia when I was young , this song is about that. I shut that out of my head the past several decades until today , thanks for bringing a tear. Don't get me wrong, it was much needed. Blessed be.
Same age and understand exactly where your coming from
Guys & gals I grew up listening to these golden oldies O.MD., T.J., S.M. Was point in time of my journey in life, just if saying they are soothing from soul.
Boy this song takes me back! ❤ It hits much differently after you’ve lost loved ones. I never thought of it as sad back in the day when I was a kid.
You too, are the first to react to this song who immediately understood that he is dying. I keep watching reaction videos to this because I am stunned that nobody gets the fact that he’s dying, even though he says it over and over again. I knew you too would get it. ❤
This song was on the radio a lot in the spring of ‘74, when I was in the 5th grade. I remember singing along with the chorus on the school bus, but somehow I missed that it was a sad song. Guess I didn’t pay attention to the words back then (at all).
A lot of Top-40 hits in the mid-70s told stories. And some of them were quite sad ("Alone Again, Naturally" which you covered, this song, "Billy Don’t Be A Hero", and "Daddy Please Don’t"). Others weren’t as sad, but quite serious, like “Half Breed" by Cher. Others Diana Ross’ "Last Time I Saw Him" which has a country sound to it.
MAkes me cry every time I hear this song! Reminds me of all the friends I a. Lost contact with or b. they moved to Heaven.
There is a lot of misinformation about this song, probably because it's very easy to take it to heart. This song is actually derived from a poem written in 1961 called "Le Moribond" which was used as part of a performance piece by composer Jacques Brel. It was written in French. It's about a man who finds that his best friend and girlfriend were messing around behind his back. This song is a farewell to each of them. Apparently this is a true story as it happened to Brel. Terry Jacks met with Brel in Belgium and decided to record the song in his own way. The interesting thing is that the Kingston Trio ("Louie Louie") also recorded a version of this song which is how Terry Jacks originally new of it.
I love Terry Jacks! His sister Susan had alot of songs also. My favorites are "good friends", "you don't know what love is", "which way you going Billy", and "that's where I went wrong". Great memories for me! She and her brother have alot of songs that are great!
Susan (b. Susan Pesklevits) was Terry's wife, not his sister. They divorced in 1973, which is why "The Poppy Family" broke up and Terry went solo for this 1974 hit.
Terry was actually Susan's husband. Someone told me years ago they were siblings. My bad!
@@Jessica_Roth yep! Just corrected it. Someone told me they were brother and sister in highschool. Guess I never heard otherwise. Thx for correcting me!
@@elaineh7993 No problem; you should see some of the mistakes I've made! Thank goodness YT has an "edit" function, lol!
@@Jessica_Roth I always try to double check but I was so darn sure! Lol!
His fate is sealed..
His Destiny revealed..
His Season's in the Sun are coming to the end.....
✌️♥️🥃🥃
Enjoy your adventures in Music 🎶
Would love to have you listen to Chevy Van by Sammy Johns. Great 70’s song. Thanks for all you do. Love hearing your reviews. God Bless
Jay & Amber, a #1 one hit wonder in the US. His next highest charting song in the US only reached #68.
He did however have a hit as a member of the Poppy Family with "Which Way You Going Billy" from 1970 with his wife Susan on lead vocals.
OMG I love that you selected this. This is hands down one of the saddest songs ever.
Another reaction couple, Asia and BJ, randomly popped up on my UA-cam feed this morning reacting to this same song. Your video had not been posted yet. I hadn’t heard Seasons in the Sun for years so I watched their video. Coincidence? I just want you to know that I appreciate you two so much and your astuteness and maturity in understanding the songs is why I look forward to your reactions. The couple in the first video did not pick up on the fact that he was dying! They did not get the meaning at all until at the end when BJ read a chat post . ROB Squad is the BEST.
As someone who grew up in the 70's I can tell you, lots of sad songs. You did Alone Again Naturally couple days ago, which I think may be the saddest. But you also have Daddy Don't You Walk so Fast, Run Joey Run, Last Song, Shannon, Sunshine.
This was all over the radio when I was a young boy. I still have the album, and still love it.
This song is a big part of my life we had the 45 rpm record ....on the up side you got the hear Ricky Scaggs with "country boy" you will go wild with it.,....
This was a huge number one in the UK in 1974, I was 6 years old. I've loved the song ever since. If you think this is a sad song try listening to "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro. It'll tear you up 😪
Much love from England 🏴
This was on the radio when I was a child & I used to just sob & cry when I heard it. The 70’s were a weird time. 🤣
My best friend growing up told me in high school that this was "our song". I lost her several years ago to breast cancer...😪
Terry Jacks’ rewritten rendition, which was dedicated to his friend who had died of leukemia…a dying man giving his last words to his loved ones with whom he shared his life. However, the man does not die broken-hearted but instead, acknowledges the rights and wrongs of his actions in life as he passes away peacefully. It’s a sad song, no doubt, but it’s a song that can remind us all the importance of living our lives as if it were our last day, and to be thankful, and appreciate even the littlest of moments.
Seasons in the Sun was released in the United States in December 1973 and made the Billboard Hot 100 a month later. On March 2, 1974, the song began a three-week run at number one atop the Hot 100.
This song came out not long after my uncle died at the age of 20 in September of 1973 (11 days before his 21st birthday). He was definitely the family black sheep. A "hippie" in a conservative PA town who NEVER got along with his dad. My grandmother couldn't stand it because it described him so well, especially the verse about Michelle. My cousin was only 11 days old when she lost her dad.
Omg I'm so sorry for your loss. =(
Another one of my late husband’s favorite songs! He loved them! Sad songs were his favorite!
Other one-hit wonders from the 70s, these three can be Female Friday choices: "Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur; "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Maxine Nightingale; "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson
I thought Don't Leave Me This Way was Thelma Houston, didn't Maxine Nightingale do 'Right Back Where We Started From? Another good female one was New York to LA by Patsy Gallant.
@@MissSJ4429 Correct, I screwed up and meant to include Thelma Houston--and then didn't.
This song and "Wildfire" always made me sad as a kid. They were both big hits.
Eric Clapton's song "Tears in Heaven" is especially poignant because it was written in response to the death of his son. Led Zeppelin's song "All of My Love" is Robert Plant's tribute to his son who also had died. Finally, folk singer Phil Ochs (pronounced Oaks) had the song, "When I'm Gone," which gained added meaning about 10 year later when he took his own life because of mental health issues.
One other song that could be used in this context is (mostly) one-hit wonder Glass Tiger with their 1986 hit "Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone"
This retired 8th grade science teacher is addicted to your vlogs. I can't just watch 1. If I start, I go to next to next to next for an hour. Appreciate you both and every video y'all do.
Terry Jacks was more of a songwriter than a singer. He wrote this song but couldn't find anyone to sing it, so he decided to sing it himself.
I once had a boss who made fun of me for liking this song. The entire office went silent when I promptly responded, "it reminds me of my brother who passed away a few years ago". He had no choice but to just turn around and walk silently and shamefully back to his office.
Terry Jacks did not exactly write this song. He translated the lyrics from the original French, reworking them considerably to remove references to a cheating wife. He wrote not a single note of the melody. The song is actually by Jacques Brel, the Belgian songwriter.
@@tomenrico6199 Apparently Casey Cassom was lying on American Top 40 when he said Terry Jacks wrote the song and decided to sing it himself when he couldn't find anyone to do it.
@@tangoindiamike9189 : Yes I had heard something of the same thing about this song. Terry Jacks translated, rearranged and reworked this song for The Beach Boys to do but they did not like it. He asked other artists but they did not want to do it either so Terry Jacks did it and it was a big hit for him.
@@acorrado5529 It was Rod McKuen who did that (he did a load of translations of Brel songs). Then Terry Jacks took McKuen's version and re-wrote it even more.
This song was written by Jacques Brel and translated into English by Rod McKuen.
As for Terry Jacks, he is a Canadian who also had success in The Poppy Family with his ex-wife Susan Jacks with songs like "Where Evil Grows" and "Which Way You Goin' Billy?". Sadly she passed away earlier this year.
This song is just so depressing. My brother always played it on the jukebox at the pizza place.
If you want one with a story, play One Tin Soldier
I'm glad you guys mentioned Elvis! I will keep saying this until you guys do it, you MUST check out the black suited Elvis from his 68 comeback special! The sit down jam session! You got to see those at 4:00 but you've never seen him like this!! I would suggest his song trying to get to you, but there are others you could do, one night with you, lawdy Miss clawdy, baby what do you want me to do. This is Elvis at the very very top of his game!