Seasons in the Sun

Album: Seasons In The Sun (1973)
Charted: 1 1
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Songfacts®:

  • Originally "Le Moribond" ("The Dying Man"), this was written and performed in French by the Belgian poet-composer Jacques Brel in 1961. The American poet Rod McKuen translated the lyrics to English, and in 1964 The Kingston Trio released the first English-language version of the song. This is the version Terry Jacks heard, which became the basis for his rendition.

    In a Songfacts interview with Terry Jacks, he said that after his version was released, he had dinner in Brussels with Jacques Brel, who told him about writing the song. "It was about an old man who was dying of a broken heart because his best friend was screwing his wife," Jacks said. "He wrote this in a whorehouse in Tangiers, and the words were quite different. The song originally he used to do on stage and it was in a march form, like, 'Bom ba DUM, bom ba DUM.' Quite a different thing. This old man was dying of a broken heart and he was saying goodbye to his priest and his best friend and his wife, who cheated on him. Her name was Francoise, and it went, 'Adieu, Francoise, 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.'"
  • The original version by Jacques Brel is rather macabre, but Jacks had an earnest inspiration for his reworking of the song: his good friend developed leukemia, and was given just six months to live. "He was gone in four months," Jacks told us. "He was a very good friend of mine, one of my best friends, and he said I was the first one that he told. I remembered this song of an old man dying of a broken heart, and I liked some of the melody and there was something there. I rewrote the song about him."
  • Before releasing this song, Terry Jacks had considerable success in his native Canada as half of the duo The Poppy Family with his wife, Susan. He was friends with The Beach Boys, who asked him to produce a song for them - something Jacks was honored to do. Terry played them his arrangement of "Seasons in the Sun" and suggested they record it, since he thought it would sound great with their harmonies and with Carl Wilson singing lead.

    Terry flew to Brian Wilson's house and they began working on the song. Wilson had always been their producer, and could spend months working on a song if he wanted to perfect it. These were Terry's sessions, but Brian tried to take over.

    "The thing never got finished," Jacks said in our interview. "Brian wanted to get hold of the tape and add some things, and the engineer would have to take the tape home at night so that Brian wouldn't get hold of it. This went on and on, and I was almost having a nervous breakdown because I would put so much energy into this thing and the stress was really getting me. So I said, 'I'm not going to be able to finish this. I can't get you guys all in here together.' So it never got completed."

    The sessions weren't a complete wash for Jacks, however. He worked with Al Jardine on the backing vocals and came up with an arrangement he would use when he recorded the song himself.
  • In 1973, the song was released as Jacks' second single ("Concrete Sea" was his first), and it was a huge hit, going to #1 in America for three weeks and also topping the UK chart.

    Terry released this on his own label, Goldfish Records, and was amazed when it became the largest-selling single in Canadian history: more than 285,000 copies sold in a matter of weeks. Bell Records vice president Dave Carrico heard the record, flew to Vancouver, and snapped up the American rights. Bell released the song in the US, and on February 14, 1974, it earned its first RIAA Gold Award for sales of over a million copies. Eventually, it sold more than three million copies in the United States alone. Worldwide, the figure is over six million.
  • "Seasons in the Sun" is the story of a dying man, bidding farewell to loved ones who have shared his life. Shortly before Terry's recording came out, Jacques Brel retired, at the peak of his popularity. Fans around the world were stunned, but the composer would give no reason. Finally, the truth was revealed: after a quiet, six-year battle against cancer, Brel succumbed to the disease and died on October 9, 1978.
  • With the money he made from this song, Jacks purchased a boat, which he christened "Seasons in the Sun." He began sailing up and down the west coast of Alaska and Canada, and had some revelations along the way. "I started to realize that this wasn't made by a blob," he told us. "This was made by God."

    Terry became a Christian and began a quest to protect nature. He gave up music and became an environmental activist, fighting the Canadian paper mills, which he accused of dumping toxins and destroying forests. He made some films on the subject, including The Faceless Ones and The Warmth of Love: The 4 Seasons of Sophie Thomas, maintaining a modest lifestyle in Canada financed by his musical achievements.

    For Terry, becoming an environmentalist was not just a moral imperative, but a way of dealing with the fallout from this song, which came to define his career. "I got to be known as an environmentalist, which was the only thing that ever got rid of my label," he said. "I was 'Seasons in the Sun' before that."
  • Rod McKuen, who translated the lyrics, is the credited writer on the song along with Jacques Brel. Terry Jacks made some significant musical changes and wrote an entirely different last verse, but didn't get a songwriter credit, since he never claimed one. Jacks says he didn't think of it at the time, and never anticipated the song becoming a royalty-generating hit.
  • Jacks' previous group, The Poppy Family, had a #2 Hot 100 hit with "Which Way You Goin' Billy?" in 1970, and also made #29 with "That's Where I Went Wrong" (both songs were written by Jacks). After "Seasons in the Sun" hit, he recorded anther Jacques Brel song with an English translation by Rod McKuen: "If You Go Away." This one has the French title "Ne me quite pas," which literally translates as "Don't Leave Me." It hit #68 in the US.
  • According to Terry Jacks, a young David Foster played a bit of piano and did some engineering on this song, his specific contributions being the piano arpeggio after the "flowers everywhere" line, and doubling the bass after the "Goodbye papa, please pray for me" line.

    Foster, a fellow Canadian, has contributed to numerous hits as a songwriter, producer and musician. A sampling of his credits:

    - Producing the All-4-One "I Swear."

    - Writing and recording the original version of "Mornin'."

    - Co-writing the Chicago hit "You're the Inspiration."

    David Lanz, a pianist known for his composition "Cristofori's Dream," claims that he, not Foster, made those contributions to "Seasons in the Sun."

    "He describes exactly what I played on 'Seasons in the Sun,' but says David Foster played this part," Lanz told Songfacts. "David was also living in Vancouver at the time, and he was putting together Skylark and also working in Skylark with two members of my previous Mercury Records band, Brahman: Duris Maxwell, drummer, and keyboardist, Robbie King, who played organ on 'Seasons in the Sun.' David was also coming round my apartment at the time looking for songs for Skylark, so yeah, we were all in the same place at the same time, but it just sounds like Terry mixed the two of us up.

    David and I were both up-and-coming pianists at the time, and during the session I played on 'Seasons in the Sun,' Terry also had me record piano on one of my songs, which he rewrote a bit, 'Fire on the Skyline,' for the Seasons in the Sun LP.

    He had me use a pseudo writers name (Franklin Wesley) to avoid problems with Mercury Records. That track and another of my songs recorded for his wife Susan, were published on his Gone Fishing Music publishing company."
  • The B-side of the single was a song titled "Put the Bone In," which described a woman in a butcher shop, apparently begging the butcher to "put the bone in" for her because "her doggy had been hit by a car." Near the end, the lyrics say: "Put the bone in, she yelled out once more." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Rick - Cottonwood, AZ
  • In the UK, Westlife had the 1999 Christmas #1 with their Double-A-side of "I Have A Dream" and their cover of this song. "I Have A Dream" was originally a #2 hit for Abba in 1979. When this topped the UK chart, Westlife became the first act since Elvis Presley in 1962 to have 4 #1s in the same year.
  • Nirvana did a version of this song, but it didn't appear until 2004 on the With The Lights Out out boxed set. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Chris - Dracut, MA
  • Terry's talents are in songwriting, production and arrangements - he doesn't consider himself a very good singer, and was never known for his vocal talents. He started singing his own material as a means of expression: when he wrote songs for The Poppy Family, he had to change the gender because they were sung by his wife, Susan.

    Despite his perceived deficiencies when it comes to singing, Terry won the Juno award (the Canadian Grammys) for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1974. This song also won for Contemporary Single of the Year and Pop Music Single of the Year, and Best Selling Single.

Comments: 88

  • Barry Allan from Gagetown CanadaJust stopped by here today on a sad note that Susan Jacks passed away ... 25 Apr 22
  • Marshall from OntarioI can't even read the lyrics to this song without welling up with emotions. It's the saddest song ever sung and the myriad of memories it conjures of my childhood leave me wiping tears and blowing my nose for 10 minutes after I listen to it. God what a song .. truly a masterpiece!!
  • Us Mama Of 2 from UsaI recently played this for my teenage son explaining that it was about the Vietnam War and that I remember hearing it when I was really little… Wow, I definitely taught him the wrong box story! Should I fact checked first!
  • Anon from New Yorkso the poor old man is weeping over his hooor of a wife screwing his friend....well, poor old man is weeping over his hooor of a wife while he is IN A HOOORHOUSE IN TANGIERS. wtf.
  • AnonymousHi all out there.
    Throughout all my illness and sad times this song still helps me.
    Family and friends are never too far away.
    Think nice thoughts when you go to bed and always try to help others who are worse off.
    Remember there is always someone worse off than you.
    Last thought when watching blockbuster films GUNS ARE BAD no matter what context they are in.
    Listen to Freddie Mercury who wants to live forever.its awesome.
    also hi Marj Leeds fan.
    Good call.
    I grew up with football terrace songs.
    The worst by far was when the Sunderland fans ( if you can call them that ) made up and sang horrendous songs about the late great Gary speed
    Made myself sad again.sorry but not really.
    Keep well everyone.xx
  • Marj from England Wow first of all to Andrew from England, I remember well how the Leeds Utd fans took it as one of there songs being a massive fan of Leeds going to every game you right you didn’t have to be a football thug to sing it.As you say not all of us were.’!!!! I was a month short of my 16 birthday when this came out. I see comments about if being gloomy etc. One thing I did whenever a new song game out was really really listen to the words,I thought although sad, yet real. We all die one day and at 15 perhaps I should have had better thoughts than we all die one day. To me it was someone trying to tell bits about his life, and of course the music fit the lyrics. No one is happy about dying, there were so many songs that have been written without a meaning behind them and although some were brilliant, one in particular The whiter Shape pale literary as no meaning. Although a fanatic song. Would and could be better with meaning. I loved Terry Jacks singing seasons in the sun. Believe it or not the 70s had some pretty weird songs around so to hear a song although it being a sad song was a nice change to some of the weird crap going around. Shame he gave up music he had a lovely voice. No one can sing seasons in the sun as good as Terry Jacks.
  • Paulette Markham from Alabama, Usa Loved this song even though it made me sad. I’m glad to learn the true meaning of it.
  • Nicholas from OxfordshireThis song best reminds me of Phoenix Nights with Jerry St Clair (once being called 'Jerry Dignan' by Brian Potter) singing this song, as a way of getting the audience to think he is dying (apparently seemed to be the only way to make Talent Trek Grand Final really happen).

    From earlier in the episode, though he has already got the all clear, Brian Potter demands him to pretend he's dying. But, it is only revealed to the audience at the end of the show.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaAUTHOR from San Diego: LOL you must have been a kid when The Streak was released. I had wondered, now that I think about it, if Terry saved the song, for when the Vietnam War was escalating. And as someone who has lost 4 family members to Cancer, I can read more into it now that I am older.
  • Andrew from EnglandI don’t know about Newcastle but Leeds United fans used to sing “we had joy, we had fun, we had city on the run, but the joy didn’t last cause the b******s ran too fast.
    Not sure it was intended to be that amusing. I can think of at least 20 songs that have been adapted to football chants over the years. Some very funny, others not so.
    p.s. you didn’t have to be a hooligan to sing them and most of us weren’t!
  • Melinda from AustraliaDon’t you love how a previous commenter said the UK, Newcastle United football club fans used Seasons in The Sun as a football fan chant, by changing the lyrics. F***ken funny. I remember they did the same with Volare. An old old dean Martin/Cliff Richard song. They made the song into a football terrace chant. And they made it about a footballer they liked. Possibly the Italian Vieri. But I’m not sure. Some former English Football hooligan from the 90’s could correct me on this. I’d love to hear the English football fans changed lyrics singing Seasons in the Sun. gotta love the English. They are amusing.
  • Melinda from AustraliaSo interesting how this song brings back so much emotion for people. Especially if you were young in the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Even tho I was like, 7 when it came out. I grew up thinking (god knows how) that it was a quintessentially European song. It just had that feel to it. And I was right. Written by a Belgian. And a Belgian hit under different lyrics. To anyone born In the 1960’s, the late European 1960’s appealed to a lot of us. As having a lot of cool style and sophistication. This is what this song meant to me.
  • Titan from Adelaide, South AustraliaThis song was released in 1974 - the year I was born so I have no memory of it. I only every heard it when we were on summer holidays. My early musical hero was Kurt Cobain and I was surprised to read an article on the 20th anniversary of the release of Nirvana's In Utero album stating that 'Seasons in the Sun' by Terry Jack's was one of his all-time favorite songs and that it was played on heavy rotation during the making of that album and while on tour. Kurt would listen to it incessantly apparently. That fact really blew me away but come to think of it, it does actually make sense because it is a very morose, depressing kind of song and it calls to mind visions of suicide our something like that. The fact that this song topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic is truly astonishing, considering it was a cover of a 10 year old song.
  • Sean from Phoenix, AzAlthough many view this song as depressing or silly bubble gum pop, it has had and will always have a special place in my heart. When I was teenage boy, my father passed away unexpectedly. My girlfriend was there for me and helped me deal with it... helped me get my feet back on the ground. A few months later, my best friend and I were in a car wreck... I sprained a finger; he died. My girlfriend was there for me.. helped me cope. A few months later... and I can't finish... oh god I miss them..
  • Kawa from Tokyo, JapanHi Music lovers,

    The first thing I noticed when I heard this song and its background of the writing of the song was that Why the singer-songwriter of this song,Terry Jacks, decided to rewrite, recorded and released the song such a time like in 1973, not in 1964 or 1965 or so when he first heard the The Kingston Torio's English version ? Why did he choose to rewrite the song and record and release in 1973 ? It was a long period of time when Terry first heard this song 'Season In The Sun'. I think it must have some reasons behind for this. Let's take a look at the lyrics of the sing. I think that impressive line you can find on the song is from the second verse, saying 'Think of me, I'll be there'. Sound like familiar ! I think you are. Because this phrase reminds me of the very famous song 'You've Got A Friend' in 1971 written and sung by Carole King. Also impressive lines on that song was 'We had seasons in the sun' on the third verse. After that, you'll see the same key words 'I'll be there' or 'seasons' on the song like the song 'You've Got A Friend'. What does that mean ? I think that Terry heard 'You've Got A Friend', James' version in 1971, because James's version was so popular, he must have thought 'This is the one I tried to sing' so next thing did was that he picked up the old song 'Seasons In the Sun', that he liked and rewrote , and recorded and released. I think he tried hard hiding the reasons of Why he pick up and rewrite the song, without telling 'How he got the idea', the song 'You've Got A Friend' by rewriting and he did, I think. The rest is history.
  • George from Vancouver, CanadaThe original's lyrics are far deeper, but I like Jacks' music better.
    Jacques Brel's "Le Moribond" (with English subtutles)
    https://youtu.be/h02pNUKInBo
  • Adrian Chan from MalaysiaAlthough its a sad song but I love it... a throwback to the time where I had to jump to reach for the switch!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 9th 1974, Terry Jacks performed "Seasons In The Sun" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    One month earlier on January 6th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #99; and on April 26th it peaked at #1 (for 3 weeks) and spent 21 weeks on the Top 100 (and for 8 of those 21 weeks it was on the Top 10)...
    And on January 26th, 1974 it also reached #1 (for 4 weeks) on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart; and also peaked at #1 on its Adult Contemporary chart...
    After three weeks at #1 on the Top 100, it dropped down to #2, then a week later to #3, and then one week at #4...
    Mr. Jacks, born Terrence Ross Jacks, will celebrated his 70th birthday in one month on March 29th (2014).
  • Rotunda from Tulsa, OkBack in '73 I was 7 and loved rock on my little radio, but could never understand why this song became such a hit when it was so downright depressing! The melody is very catchy & sweet, but those lyrics are a downer. My oldest brother Hornsbee bought the single in '73 and my other brother The Jackass stole it & threw it down a man-hole (he hated it that bad). When I hear it played on oldies stations nowadays, I must admit that I turn it off----even though I liked it when it was on the record charts. My cousin Sherry owns a version of this song done by Nirvana (from one of their box sets) that is done well. After all this time, I've come to realize that with a real downer of a song like this----- I guess people will like anything this thoroughly depressing, if it's presented sweet enough.
  • Raunchy from Tulsa, OkWhen this song was released in 1973, I could hardly believe a record company would put out such a gloomy & morose song! I didn't expect it to become a hit, but it did reach #1. When it was in early radio play, my girlfriend in high school would always start sobbing quietly at first and then break down into loud bawling when the song got mid-way. Always embarrassed me to no end when we were in the high school courtyard listening to the radio. And everyone else watched thinking she was a real certified nut! But she also started bawling and wailing these high-pitched squeels to high heavens when "Dancing Queen" was popular too! Go figure!
  • Arthur from San Diego, CaIn elementary school, we sang, "We had joy, we had fun, we went streaking in the sun, but the cops came along and they kicked us in the buns!"
  • Tom from Marietta, OhWonderful song! But if you find that listening to it makes you too sad, sing along but replace the title phrase with "hot dogs on a bun". Should give you a bit of a chuckle.
  • Karen from Manchester, NhThis song brings back a memory from my elementary school days. Two girls did a lovely choreographed "skit" to this song for a talent show. I can still see them. It was pretty good and imaginative choreography for two grade school girls!
  • Sioraf from Macroon, IrelandIn primary school about 5 of us were to perform this song. One day in rehearsal as soon as the singers had finished the rest of us quickly sang
    "We had joy
    We had fun
    We had knickers* on the run
    But the fun never last
    'cause the knickers were too fast"
    Needless to say it was an all boys school. *Panties.
  • Carolyn from Knoville, TnI've always liked Seasons in the Sun....at least it is more upbeat in tempo than "The Christmas Shoes" which I positively WILL NOT listen to.
  • Eddie from Newcastle, United Kingdomto the tune of this song, Newcastle United fans sometimes (not so much now but a few years ago) sing ' we had joy we had fun we had Sund'land on the run, but the joy didnt last cos the B******s ran too fast.
  • Antaheen from Howrah, IndiaI dedicate this song, on behalf of my friend Mr. Rajdeep Banerjee to Anni, who after spending some beautiful moments with him left for her heavenly abode, on 23/08/2011 at 7:10 AM.

    May Her Soul Rest In Peace !!
  • Cyberpope from Richmond, Canada35 years -- what a difference?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7J3Tm0jo2w
  • Andrew from Melbourne, Australiaoh jesus wept...what a mess of a song this self-consciously maudlin tripe is. If i wanna listen to something that will make me teary i'll get out the old leonard cohen, but this is the last word in awlfulness. The joke is on me, however, because i am a english teacher in china and the dear little chinese kiddies have picked this travesty of a song as the one they want to learn !
  • Dora C. Moore from Emmonak, AkAs I was growing up my brother and 3 sisters used to listen to this song and it became one of my favorites when I was in the sixth grade. When I first heard it I cried but very beautiful melody. I never understood the history of this song when I first heard it and now it brings back memories of my younger days. My brother and sister used cassette tapes and record this song from radio station (KNOM Radio). Back then (1970's) in Rural Alaska we were into music also. We used to get excited listening to American Top 40, good old days and young at heart. Dora Christine Moore - Emmonak, Alaska
  • Rick from Belfast, MeTerry's wife did a much better song....called "Which Way You Going Billy"....
  • Mark from Glen Allen, VaThis song touches me deeply somehow. Somewhere I read that it was based on a 17th century French ballad. If there is someone who knows more about this, please let me know.
  • Tammie from Crete, NeI was 14 years old, home sick with the flu. The first time I heard it on the radio over and over. I fell in love with it! No, I wasn't dying it just felt like it. As,I was home alone feeling sorry for myself. This was the beginning of Rock-n-Roll for me.
  • Steven from Graham Wa, WaThanks for all the great info on the song. This was one of my favorite songs when I was growing up, I never realized the history behind it. Pretty cool!
  • Mike from Matawan, Nj"Put the bone in", eh? I think her puppy-dog was the last thing on her mind.

    And to John in Mansfield, TX? This song reminds of a story. There was an INCREDIBLY bad performance of "The Diary of Anne Frank" being done and if you're familiar with the show (or the story) at the very end when the Germans come pounding on the door. Someone from the audience yelled out, "She's in the attic!!!!". 'nuff said.
  • Adam from Boyce, VaWhat a sad song. Even more poignant knowing that my man Kurt covered it. If you see this performance on the "With The Lights Out" box set is sure is a fitting and sad end to the DVD...but that was Kurt....R.I.P Brother!!
  • George from Newfoundland, PaLove this song. It was a favorite song that me and my best friend loved. I am now 46 and when we were 15 years old he died. Now when ever I hear this song I can only think of him and cry.
  • Cadillac from Brooklyn, NyI see that the original composer died shortly after the release of the song. From a "quiet six-year battle against cancer." I say he heard what
    Terry Jacks did to his song.
  • Chirine from Beirut, LebanonOn an early summer morning, six years ago, my father decided to take my twin sister and I on a field trip through the beautiful mountains in Lebanon. We were cruising in the car and we have just picked up some fast sweet breakfast to eat during our trip known as knefe that is sweet crust with cheese.

    As we were driving through our sightseeing trip a song has just started to play and all of the sudden my father calmly pulled over on the edge of the road where everything was clear, the skies were blue and you can feel the beautiful wind breeze, suddenly nothing seemed to have fit the moment as much as the song as it was playing.

    My sister and I knew that the song is what made the difference, we knew that this song is what made my father pull over so he can live minutes of harmony with himself and share it with us, a moment which I will never forget with us.
    I heard the song and just after it finished my dad sat up straight put the gear on "D" and quietly said " I have always loved this song but it makes me sad"

    Last year I lost a brother, and my father lost a son. Suddenly this inexplicable moment which I never forgot makes sense. This moment was always on my mind, as I have always questioned myself why do I remember this incident? Why is it always the first thing that comes back to my mind when I see a mountain or eat knefe or even look at my father? Now it all makes sense. Sometimes GOD talks to us in different ways, that day GOD talked to me in the most insightful way, now when I think of my brother I see mountains, I taste the sweet knefe, I feel the breeze on my skin, I smell the mist of trees and I hear a beautiful song. His memory engages all of me and touches me in ways I never thought was possible.

    The song was: Seasons in the sun.

    RIP my angle and brother : Ghassan Daoud (13/10/1978-02/06/2007)

    Chirine Daoud.
  • Diane from New City, NyWasn't this song the basis of an old movie about an unconventional motorcycle couple who end up parents right before the woman finds out she has cancer and then dies? I can't remember the name of the movie but it was said this movie as based around this song. Anyone who can tell me and name the movie - I would appreciate.
  • John from Mansfield, TxI was 15 in 1974,the year this song was a hit.
    After hearing this song about four or five times,I was telling myself"PULL THE DAMNED PLUG ALREADY!!".
  • Dave from Liverpool, United KingdomThis song is a real chuckle a minute isn't it?

    Enough to make you want to Roll a Seven and check out
  • Sue from Long Island, NyHey, why did my post come up twice? Sorry I'm new at this. Gerry, thanks for the utube tip. I also just found that the Soul Asylum did a cover of "Put the Bone In"!
  • Sue from Long Island, NyOn the flip side: "Put the bone in she asked him at the store, my doggies been hit by a carrrr....." It was the most awful song ever, but me and my sister used to sing it all the time and I still will say that one line now and again. But does anyone else remember the rest? Is it anywhere to hear it again? I'd love a good laugh!
  • Gerry Walsh from Melbourne, AustraliaG'day Joan, this maybe it? Terry Jacks - Put The Bone In , i just googled it.Then typed it into utube and got this.

    http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=qvWNBK27nPQ&feature=related

    Cheers Gerry 27.12.2007
  • Joan from Marysville, OhThis was one of my favorite songs. I had the 45. I really liked side b. Does anyone remember what the song was? It was about a dog and a bone.
    -Joan, Marysville, OH
  • Andrew from Bartlett, TnNirvana did a version of this song.
  • James from Yucaipa, Cagreat song in 1974.I remember it well.11/9/07
  • Gerry Walsh from Melbourne, AustraliaYes true it was No.1 between Mar. 2 - Mar. 22 1974, although sorry i should of stated more clearly, i was referring to the year 1974 overall. There were approx' 35 songs that went to number one that year with Billboard Top 100 - 1974
    01. was The Way We Were » Barbra Streisand overall. cheers

  • Tom from Richmond, CanadaNot true...the song was number one for three weeks in 1974 but then dropped down the charts.
  • Tom from Richmond, CanadaNot true...it was number one for three weeks but then dropped down.
  • Gerry Walsh from Melbourne, AustraliaThe Billboard Hot 100 For 1974 No.2 Song in the USA =
    Terry Jacks
    Seasons In The Sun !

    True this may song may move rich college kid's but i can tell you it also moved a kid that grew up at the other end of town. 12 September 2007.


  • Musicmama from New York, NyIt makes sense that Cobain would've covered this song. I picture the narrator/persona of this song as a rich college kid who feels sorry for him/her self while reading "The Bell Jar" and thinks that the movie "Sophie's Choice" was one of the greatest tragedies ever made. Such sentimental tripe, all of them!
  • Adam from Calgary, CanadaWe played this (along with a Polish Mazurka) at my grandfather's funeral. It was a song he liked; as well, the lyrics were fitting. ACS
  • Gerry Walsh from Melbourne, AustraliaToo much wine,too much song! Ah what ever i'll crack open a V.B....... cheers!
  • Gerry Walsh from Melbourne, AustraliaG'day Tiger, "Whatever What" ?
  • Lishi from Delhi, India"it's hard to die"... whatever! it's a beautiful song and i love it...
  • Gerry Walsh from Melbourne, AustraliaThis songs takes me back to the seventies when i was a young kid, and i liked it then quite a lot! I think they used to play this in music class at primary school where we would sit on the floor and stare up to the small radio speaker on the wall and we would all look forward to singing along to songs like this classic and others like Proud Mary and Penny Lane. As i recall it was broadcaster on ABC radio in the afternoons and it would go for an hour or so. As an 8 year old in 1975 my first album i brought was Patsy Biscoe nursery rymes and had my favorite song at the time Puff the Magic Dragon inwhich was also a sad song as is the beautiful Seasons in the Sun. My next album i brought was the following year Ripper 76 inwhich had all the top 40 songs in Australia at the time, so i really come of age with my music,if not only for the fact the front cover had a girls bum with with a large tear in her shorts, my sister gave away the album in the last 70=s to a frind i think, and only a few months back brought the album of a work friend whom over heard i was searching for it and he had it gathering dust. Sorry i know i've rambled on (1st time i've posted a comment] but i'll just finish up with over the years i've been moved greatly by sad songs that have touched a cord with me, though i've never felt depressed or anything- these types of brilliant sentimental songs actually make me feel overwelmed with a sence of intoxication of contentment. Thanks to artists like Terry Jacks !! let me know what else you think about your perspective on happy/sad songs and how you've interpreted them ? cheers Gerry
  • Sandy from Vancouver, CanadaThe Poppy Family wasn?t really a duo. Susan Jacks did all the vocals, even the background vocals, except for one or two duets with Terry. The Beach Boys never finished the recording of Seasons in the Sun and so it was never released. The background vocals were written by Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and Susan. It was recorded by Terry and Susan, with Susan involved in the production as she had always been, before she left the marriage in 1973 and it was Susan who convinced him to record and release the song himself. There is so much crap out there about how things really happened. I was a friend of Susan?s and I find it amazing how much total credit is given to Terry for both his own success and the success of the Poppy Family and yet very little is given to Susan. Terry rode on the coat tails of the popularity of Seasons in the Sun for years and basically had no success after that song and after Susan left the marriage. That?s not to say she was alone responsible for everything but she was certainly half of the team that brought success to both the Poppy Family and to Terry Jacks.
  • Charlene from Kamloops, CanadaI'm a 37 year old beautiful person, who now hates computers! My Dad died in October, it's been more of a struggle than I ever could have imagined!!!

    My dad was such an example of musical, imaginative, and copywritive style we just loved it.... He played with Johhny Cash originally, and was removed when discovered my dad was the only one who could pick... a guitar..... my dad quit music and went back to art.... and designed
    original Canadian symbols.... One the sunrype sun sign.... 2. the Mohawk (of yamaha) later sold to another company .......My father was a great artist who chose an easy life over his artisty, just so he could play a guitar and make an average living at a sawmill in canada....

    He died October 4th 2006 a poor man, but wealthy in talent, and a reputation that will never preceed him.....As his loved one I can honestly say, there will never be another , who has his (huge sense of humour,and talent wrapped in one)

    I listened to Sesons in the sun, on you tube and bawled like a baby, it was my favorite song from the time I can remember....... I found it by accident on youtube when my kids brought it up, and thank you it was my favorite song and will continue to be!!!God Bless, and may life get simpler for us who choose to work like goats, and live like champions!
  • Bun from San Antomio, Txthis was my dads favorite song when he was younger. he commited suicide in 1995, he was 33 years old.
  • Micka from šèavnica, Otherjustin, this song had nothing to do with kurt's suicide. i heard he had a happy chilldhood
  • Maggi from Vancouver, Canadamy neice Tazmin Jacks is a lamebrain, and has only met her uncle Terry less than half a dozen times, yet she is now 16. She does not even know what good music is, and if her father had not told her about Kurt Cobain, she would not even know who he was, as she is too young to remember. I wish peoplle would stop putting words int mouths of babes! As far as the song is concerned, Terry thought that it was a good commercial(pop) venture
  • Katrina from Pullman, WaThis song was also covered by Westlife, a group of males from the UK and Ireland.
  • Deb from Tippecanoe, InI first heard this song on the radio in the summer of '69 when I was working my first job. It was a favorite of mine and I tried to find the record, but could not. It never took off in popularity until Terry Jacks performed it. I didn't like his performance as well as the one I heard that summer which was done by Tommy Sands. No one else I've talked to remembers hearing Tommy do this song and I've not been able to find out any further info about it. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can enlighten me further. I know I could not have dreamed up a song and performance five years before Terry Jacks, so for the sake of my sanity, I hope to find info soon.
  • Kez from Sydney, AustraliaThis song wasn't a foreboding to Kurts suicide, he was just mesmerized by it as all of us were back when it was released. it was a great song, haunting back then but meaningful to us all I think.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScSong's not that bad! Is a bit sentimental though, but I guess that's what it was supposed to be.
  • Steve from Fenton, MoDoes anyone remember that character that Al Franken used to play on SNL that always looked in the mirror at himself, trying to reassure himself that he was OK. That's the guy I picture listening to this song.
  • Dee from Khancoban, AustraliaMy Dad really loves this song.. it makes me sad
  • Jorge from Mexicali, MexicoI consider this one the saddest song ever.
  • Justin from Arleta, CaThis song made Kurt Cobain cry as a child, and is often credited as one of the reasons for his childhood depression, which influenced him to commit suicide.
  • Dee from Indianapolis, InThis has to be one of the 1st songs I can remember listening to on the radio as a kid. I was five when it was a hit and it influnced me into my love for music which has consumed a large chunk of my last 30 years
  • Taz Jacks from Vancouver, CanadaWierd how my uncle influenced my favorite bands lead singer Kurt Cobain.
  • Wolf Chinnery from Hemel Hempstead,,, EnglandI,m with you Shell. This song is simply vile.Over sentimental tripe aimed at morons who "can relate to it". Adopted by football hooligans in the 70s 80s it held darker connotations" We had joy ,we had fun we had Chelsea on the run,,but the fun didnt last cos the bastards ran too fast" Not difficult to spot my preferred version!!
  • Josh from Cape Coma, FlCOVERS: Quite possibly the most covered song ever, covered by the likes of Nirvana, and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. I believe I also have a version done by Mamas and the Papas.

    --Nirvan cover information: Drums and vocals- Kurt C, Bass: Dave G, Guitar: Krist N. This is a rare trade-off.

    SUICIDE SONG?: The song has become an unofficial anthem for it, much the way Radiohead's song "Creep" is an unofficial anthem for Anorexics and bulimics. Please note that many suicidals feel its hard to die.
  • Pete from Nowra, Australiagotta say when i first heard this song on Australian radio,,,,,way back in the 70's ..i knew it would be an instant hit
  • Peter from Mistelbach, AustriaThis sond is a masterpiece and I can't hear this song often enough.
  • Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScWhat a sad song! I always thought it was about someone dying, maybe of cancer or of anything, and he was saying good-bye to his loved ones.
  • Sam from Beirut, Otherdoesnt Cat Stevens sing it as well?
  • Adriana from Monterrey, MexicoNirvana made a cover in this one, in the dvd of the box set comes the video in a studio in Rio de Janeiro...
  • Justin from Bakersfield, Cai can see why some people thought of this song as a suicide song. " Goodbye ny friend its hard to die ". I like the alternate last verse its more real.
  • Shell from Riverdale, GaMakes me want to cut my ears off. I won't because I'd still be able to hear it AND I'd look even funnier than I do now.
  • Enrico from Treviso, ItalyA video of Nirvana covering the song in studio will be on the new 'With the lights out' box set.
    Brel and Nirvana... Could you ask for more?
  • Joe from Preston Lancs, EnglandI have been searching for the Terry Jacks version of Seasons In The Sun,could you help a friend of mine as been trying to find it to buy for his wife
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesSad to say but an awful cover of this song made UK No.1 for Irish boyband WestLife in December 1999 - not a patch on Jacks' version
  • Katie from Toronto, CanadaThis song was also the first single EVER bought by a young Kurt Cobain. Some thought that this was a foreboding to Kurt's own suicide (since some at the time believed that Seasons in the Sun was about suicide).
  • Pat from Columbia, Cawonderful information.
  • Bob from Winnipeg, AustraliaSeason's in the Sun was No. 1 on billboard two separate times. One of the few songs ever to do that.
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