I listened to every version of Seasons in the Sun so you don’t have to
“Seasons in the Sun” was weirdly played at a wedding reception I was at last weekend. I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally listened to it, but I remember it being one of those songs my mum warbled along to on long car journeys. It was probably on one of her then husband’s eight-track cartridges along with Billy Gentry’s Ode to Billie Joe.
One of the worst songs ever?
“Seasons in the Sun” has often been voted one of the worst songs of all time by listeners who complain about its predictable melody and saccharine-sweet lyrics. It’s true, there are some terrible versions of it. Westlife’s 1999 Christmas number one version is bad, but nowhere near as painful as The Fortunes’ 1968 cover, or worse, James Last’s 1998 version. But is it one of the worst songs of all time? I don’t think so.
“Seasons in the Sun” was a worldwide hit for Canadian singer Terry Jacks in 1974, but it’s actually an adaptation of the 1961 song “Le Moribond” (The Dying Man) by the Belgian singer Jacques Brel. But what’s the best-ever version of “Seasons in the Sun”? I listened to every version available on Apple Music, so you don’t have to. Here are my top six, ranked by arrangement, originality, and vocal performance.
6) Nana Mouskouri (1974)
I remember Nana Mouskouri and her big black-rimmed glasses grinning on the covers of Pickwick Records bargain budget albums that my mum and her then husband had in their glass-doored music centre cabinet in the ’70s. Incredibly, she has released around 450 albums, and I still haven’t listened to a single one of them. But, her version of “Seasons in the Sun” has made it to my top six because, at the end of the day, the woman has a great voice.
| Arrangement | |
|---|---|
| Originality | |
| Vocals |
Apple Music and Spotify
5) Raisa Khan (1974)
Raisa Khan is a young producer, songwriter, and keys player based in London
| Arrangement | |
|---|---|
| Originality | |
| Vocals |
Apple Music and Spotify
4) Jim Bob (2021)
Jim Bob was the singer of indie punk band Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, and he recorded “Seasons in the Sun” for his 2021 mini-album.
| Arrangement | |
|---|---|
| Originality | |
| Vocals |
Apple Music and Spotify
3) The Beach Boys (1970)
…
| Arrangement | |
|---|---|
| Originality | |
| Vocals |
Apple Music and Spotify
2) Terry Jacks (1973)
… Terry Jacks also released a version in German.
| Arrangement | |
|---|---|
| Originality | |
| Vocals |
Apple Music and Spotify
1) Jacques Brel (Le moribond) (1961)
a man dying of a broken heart, as he bids farewell first to his close friend Emile, then to a priest, followed by an acquaintance named Antoine, and finally to his wife, who has cheated on him numerous times with Antoine.…
| Arrangement | |
|---|---|
| Originality | |
| Vocals |
Apple Music and Spotify
But, Brel’s studio version of Le Moribond still isn’t the best I’ve. For that, listen and watch this live version from French television in the 1960s. It’s quite simply fantastique!
French lyrics translated to English
Goodbye Émile, I loved you
Goodbye Émile, I loved you, you know
We sang the same wines
We sang the same girls
We sang the same sorrows
Goodbye Émile, I’m going to die
It’s hard to die in spring you know
But I go to the flowers with peace in my soul
Because since you're as good as white bread
I know you will take care of my wife
And I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
I want us to have fun like crazy
I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
When will I be put in the hole
Goodbye Curé, I loved you
Goodbye Curé, I loved you, you know
We weren’t on the same side
We weren’t on the same path
But we were looking for the same port
Goodbye Priest, I’m going to die
It’s hard to die in spring you know
But I go to the flowers with peace in my soul
Because since you were his confidant
I know you will take care of my wife
And I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
I want us to have fun like crazy
I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
When will I be put in the hole
Goodbye Antoine, I didn’t like you very much
Goodbye Antoine I didn’t like you very well you know
I’m dying to die today
While you are alive and well
And even stronger than boredom
Goodbye Antoine, I’m going to die
It’s hard to die in spring you know
But I go to the flowers with peace in my soul
Because since you were her lover
I know you will take care of my wife
And I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
I want us to have fun like crazy
I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
When will I be put in the hole
Quand c’est qu'on m’mettra dans l’trou
Goodbye my wife I loved you very much you know
But I take the train for the Good Lord
I’m taking the train before yours
But we all take the train we can
Goodbye my wife I’m going to die
It’s hard to die in spring you know
But I go to the flowers with my eyes closed, my wife
Because since I often closed them
I know you will take care of my soul
And I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
I want us to have fun like crazy
I want us to laugh, I want us to dance
When will I be put in the hole