About the song
Terry Jacks’ rendition of “Seasons In The Sun” is a poignant and introspective ballad that resonated deeply with audiences around the world. Originally written by Jacques Brel with French lyrics and adapted into English by Rod McKuen, the song was released by Terry Jacks in 1973 as part of his album “Seasons in the Sun.”
The song quickly became a massive international hit, topping the charts in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, and many others. Its melancholic lyrics, coupled with Jacks’ emotive vocals and acoustic guitar accompaniment, struck a chord with listeners, making it one of the best-selling singles of that year.
“Seasons In The Sun” tells the story of a man reflecting on his life and bidding farewell to loved ones as he faces his impending death. The song’s heartfelt lyrics touch on themes of nostalgia, loss, and acceptance, evoking a sense of poignancy and universal appeal.
Despite its success, “Seasons In The Sun” has also been met with mixed critical reception over the years, with some praising its emotional depth and others critiquing its sentimentalism. Nevertheless, its enduring popularity has solidified it as a classic of the 1970s era, regularly featured on retrospective compilations and oldies playlists.
Overall, Terry Jacks’ rendition of “Seasons In The Sun” remains a significant part of his musical legacy, showcasing his ability to deliver heartfelt performances that resonate with listeners on a personal level. The song’s universal themes and Jacks’ sincere interpretation continue to touch the hearts of audiences, ensuring its place in music history as a timeless ballad.
Video
Lyrics
Goodbye to you, my trusted friend
We’ve known each other since we were nine or ten
Together we’ve climbed hills and trees
Learned of love and ABCs
Skinned our hearts and skinned our knees
Goodbye my friend, it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
Pretty girls are everywhere
Think of me and I’ll be there
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed
Were just seasons out of time
Goodbye Papa, please pray for me
I was the black sheep of the family
You tried to teach me right from wrong
Too much wine and too much song
Wonder how I got along
Goodbye Papa it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
Little children everywhere
When you see them, I’ll be there
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone
Goodbye Michelle, my little one
You gave me love and helped me find the sun
And every time that I was down
You would always come around
And get my feet back on the ground
Goodbye Michelle, it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that the spring is in the air
With the flowers everywhere
I wish that we could both be there
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach
Were just starfish on the beach
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the stars we could reach
Were just starfish on the beach
We had joy, we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song
Like the seasons have all gone
All our lives we had fun
We had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed
Were just seasons out of time
We had joy, we had fun