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Well, I've hesitated to tackle today's song for more than three years...and I'm hesitating again even today...because although 1974's "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks was a worldwide hit of epic proportions, music critics STILL consider it to be one of the WORST songs ever recorded.
But here's the thing: when the song was current, radio listeners LOVED IT! There's really no doubt about it. The song went to #1 in SIXTEEN countries, including the US and Terry's native Canada. Worldwide, it sold 14 MILLION copies.
That said, most radio DJs hated it--especially after a while. It was so popular, we'd have to play it once an hour ad nauseum for weeks.. .and even then, the request lines rang off the hook. I cannot even estimate the number of times I'd answer the phone to this scenario:
Me: WOHO Request Line... Caller: Play "Seasons in the Sun" Me: I'm playing it right now... Caller: I'm not listening right now. Play it again in 5 minutes.
I'm not making that up--and I wasn't the only one at WOHO who got those calls!
So it really didn't matter what music critics (and DJs) thought back then, and it doesn't now. People loved the song.
But what exactly is the song about? You might be surprised.
The song was originally written in French by composer Jacques Brel and translated into English by singer/songwriter/actor/poet Rod McKuen.
The lyrics told the story of a man who was dying, and saying goodbye to his priest, his best friend Antoine. and his wife, who'd been sleeping with Antoine. But instead of anger, the singer shows forgiveness, and wishes them well.
Terry Jacks loved the tune, but not the story...so he completely rewrote the lyrics to honor a friend who was dying of Leukemia. Taking the viewpoint of his friend, He reminisces with Terry, then says goodbye to his father, and his love, Michelle.
Pretty depressing all around...but still...
TRIVIA: Before Terry recorded the song, he had The Beach Boys take a crack at it...but it didn't work out. Mike Love has said it was "too wimpy," but they held onto it, and recently released the preliminary mix on their 2021 compilation album, "Feel Flows." You wonder if the Boys had cleaned it up and released it as a single, would it have sold millions?
But back to Terry: It's hard to top such a HUGE juggernaut, and although he had a few other minor hits, especially in Canada, he never got close.
So, was "Seasons in the Sun" a "Great Song of the '70s?" If you ask Terry Jacks, he could probably give you 14 million reasons why it was. But what do YOU think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tPcc1ftj8E
Beach Boys Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c7lmdGdhwQ
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