"Seasons in the Sun" was a worldwide hit song for Terry Jacks in 1974. It was first released in the United States and Canada early in the year, and rose to #1 in America by March 2.
The song was based on a song called "Le Moribond" ("The Dying Man") by Jacques Brel. Brel's song was translated into English by poet Rod McKuen, and McKuen's English version was recorded by Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio, which did not sell. Jacks rewrote part of the lyrics to "lighten them up," and it was his version that became an international hit.
The song has been covered by Westlife, Black Box Recorder, Nirvana and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. It has been cited as one of the worst songs ever. It has also been cited as an example of something called the gear-shift, the overuse of key changes in an attempt to prolong listener interest.
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