Seasons in the Sun
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"Seasons in the Sun" was a worldwide hit song for Terry Jacks in 1974. It was first released in the United States and Canada early in the year, and rose to #1 in America by March 2.
The song was based on a song called "Le Moribond" ("The Dying Man") by Jacques Brel. Brel's song was translated into English by poet Rod McKuen, and McKuen's English version was recorded by Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio, which did not sell. Jacks rewrote part of the lyrics to "lighten them up," and it was his version that became an international hit.
The song has been covered by Westlife and Black Box Recorder as well as Kurt Cobain. It has been cited as one of the worst songs ever.
External links
- Seasons in the Sun (http://www.superseventies.com/1974_3singles.html) at Super Seventies.
- "Goodbye, Papa, It's Hard to Die (http://slate.msn.com/id/2114863/): The enduring appeal of an abominable pop song" (Slate.com, March 16, 2005)