Terry Jacks – Seasons In The Sun is a pop song that was released in 1973 and became a worldwide hit in 1974. It is an English-language adaptation of the 1961 Belgian song Le Moribond by singer-songwriter Jacques Brel, with lyrics rewritten by American poet Rod McKuen. The song portrays a dying man’s farewell to his loved ones, expressing his gratitude and nostalgia for the happy moments they shared.
The song was inspired by Jacks’ close friend Roger, who was suffering from acute leukemia and died four months later. Jacks dedicated the song to him and changed some of the lyrics to make them less macabre than the original version. The song has three verses, each addressing a different person: a childhood friend, a father, and a wife named Michelle.
The song has a simple melody and a soft rock arrangement, featuring acoustic guitar, piano, bass, drums, and strings. It has a slow tempo and a 4/4 time signature. The song is in the key of G major and has a vocal range of G3 to D5. The song has a verse-chorus structure, with each verse ending with the refrain “We had joy, we had fun / We had seasons in the sun / But the hills that we climbed / Were just seasons out of time”.
The song was produced by Jacks himself and released by Bell Records. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, the UK Singles Chart, and many other countries. It sold over 10 million copies worldwide and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song received mixed reviews from critics, some praising its emotional impact and others criticizing its sentimentality and simplicity.
The song has been covered by many artists, such as Westlife, Nirvana, Black Box Recorder, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, and The Fortunes. It has also been used in various movies, TV shows, commercials, and video games. The song is considered a classic of the 1970s pop music and a cultural phenomenon that touched millions of listeners around the world.
Oldies Music