Au Suivant

Album: Jacques Brel (1966)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a somewhat off-beat song about a virgin soldier whose first encounter with the opposite sex is in the incredibly sordid setting of a mobile brothel during the war, presumably the Second World War. Although such brothels did exist, Brel was obviously not writing from personal experience because he was born in 1929 and therefore too young to enlist. Nevertheless, he captures the atmosphere extremely well, and this was one of his most popular songs.
  • After the war and for the rest of his life, the narrator, a (former) soldier, is haunted by the voice of his commanding officer "Au suivant!" literally "To the following one" but generally translated as "Next." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2
  • The French artist -M- (Mathieu Chedid) covered this in 2003 on Aux Suivants, a compilation album of songs by Jacques Brel. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 2

  • Ivan Araque from NycThank you, Gian Luca, that is a great info for a great song!
  • Gian Luca Ferme from Chicago, IllinoisRecently, I was reading Never Come Morning by Nelson Algren and there is a scene in which the protagonist falls for his friends' invitations to get his girlfriend drunk and rape her. When she comes to she goes on repeating, "Next... Next..." and I immediately thought about this song. Algren was fairly popular in France (he had a famous relationship with Simone de Beauvoir, and she even came to Chicago to visit him): I wouldn't be surprised if Brel had read that book (the song is from 1966, Algren's book from 1948).
see more comments

Editor's Picks

80s Music Quiz 1

80s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.