Jacques Brel was a Belgian singer and actor known for his theatrical songs and profound lyrical content.
Brel was born into a family of Flemish descent in Brussels and was known for his talent in writing from a young age.
He began his music career in 1953 and quickly gained fame in Paris, performing at renowned venues like the Olympia Theatre.
Biography
Early Life
Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born on April 8, 1929, in Schaerbeek, Brussels, to Élisabeth Lambertine "Lisette" and Romain Brel. He hailed from a family of Flemish descent that had adopted the French language. Growing up in an austere household, Brel was close to his mother, whose generosity and humor greatly influenced him. He attended a Catholic primary school and later the Institut Saint-Louis, where he showed a talent for writing and helped establish the school's drama club.
Music Career
Brel's music career began in January 1953 when he performed at the cabaret La Rose Noire in Brussels. Shortly after, he signed with Philips Records and recorded his first single, "Il Y A." Despite initial struggles, including a disappointing performance at the Grand Prix de la Chanson, Brel's career took off when he moved to Paris. He gained recognition through performances at various cabarets and made his first appearance at the prestigious Olympia Theatre in 1954. Over the years, he released numerous acclaimed albums, including "Quand on n’a que l’amour" and "Ne me quitte pas," solidifying his status as a master of the modern chanson.
Film Career and Legacy
In addition to his music, Brel ventured into film, starting with "Les risques du métier" in 1967, where he also produced the soundtrack. His performances in films like "La Bande à Bonnot" and "Mon oncle Benjamin" showcased his versatility as an artist. Brel's influence on music and culture remains significant, particularly in the Francophone world, where he inspired countless artists. His songs have been covered by many international musicians, ensuring his legacy endures well beyond his passing on October 9, 1978.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Jacques Brel - Volume 11977
- 1.Quand on n'a que l'amour2:33
- 2.Heureux2:48
- 3.Au printemps2:40
- 4.La Tendresse2:32
- 5.Isabelle3:00
- 6.Il peut pleuvoir1:39
- 7.Grand Jacques1:45
- 8.L'Ivrogne3:07
- 9.La Bourrée du célibataire2:21
- 10.La Dame patronnesse2:20
- 11.La Haine1:53
- 12.Les Prénoms de Paris2:38
Les Marquises1977
- 1.Jaurès3:38
- 2.La ville s’endormait4:37
- 3.Vieillir3:44
- 4.Le Bon Dieu4:46
- 5.Les F…3:30
- 6.Orly4:20
- 7.Les Remparts de Varsovie4:07
- 8.Voir un ami pleurer3:55
- 9.Knokke-le-Zoute tango5:11
- 10.Jojo3:15
- 11.Le Lion3:30
- 12.Les Marquises3:52
Jacques Brel - Volume 21976
- 1.Les Flamandes2:37
- 2.Le Prochain Amour3:34
- 3.Seul3:30
- 4.Je t’aime2:21
- 5.Je ne sais pas3:04
- 6.Dors ma mie, bonsoir3:41
- 7.Zangra3:12
- 8.Voir2:20
- 9.L’Aventure2:35
- 10.Les Blés1:46
- 11.La Bastille2:56
- 12.Il pleut « Les Carreaux »2:31
La Chanson française 21975
- 1.J’aimais4:01
- 2.Vesoul3:05
- 3.Ces gens‐là4:37
- 4.Amsterdam2:55
- 5.La Chanson des vieux amants4:26
- 6.Les Flamandes2:42
- 7.Le Plat Pays2:57
- 8.Quand on n’a que l’amour3:10
- 9.Les Paumés du petit matin5:20
- 10.Jef3:35
If You Go Away: Jacques Brel Is Alive and Singing in Paris1975
- 1.Ne me quitte pas3:38
- 2.Marieke2:40
- 3.Le Moribond3:07
- 4.Sur la place3:31
- 5.Les Flamandes2:25
- 6.La Valse à mille temps3:38
- 7.La Tendresse2:32
- 8.Quand on n’a que l’amour2:20
- 9.L’Air de la bêtise4:21
- 10.La Colombe2:52
Jacques Brel1974
- 1.La Valse à mille temps3:38
- 2.Je t’aime2:18
- 3.Ne me quitte pas3:38
- 4.Isabelle3:00
- 5.La Tendresse2:32
- 6.La Colombe2:52
- 7.Les Flamandes2:25
- 8.L’Ivrogne4:02
- 9.Marieke2:40
- 10.Le Moribond3:07
- 11.Le Prochain Amour4:22
- 12.Vivre debout2:58
Jacques Brel1972
- 1.L’Air de la bêtise3:45
- 2.Qu’avons nous fait, bonnes gens1:43
- 3.Pardons2:15
- 4.Saint-Pierre2:15
- 5.Les Pieds dans le ruisseau2:47
- 6.Quand on n’a que l’amour2:32
- 7.J’en appelle2:41
- 8.La Bourrée du célibataire2:21
- 9.Heureux2:48
- 10.Les Blés1:46
- 11.Demain l’on se marie "La Chanson des fiancés"2:30
Ne me quitte pas1972
- 1.Ne me quitte pas4:13
- 2.Marieke2:59
- 3.On n’oublie rien3:09
- 4.Les Flamandes2:41
- 5.Les Prénoms de Paris2:35
- 6.Quand on n’a que l’amour3:14
- 7.Les Biches4:24
- 8.Le Prochain Amour4:21
- 9.Le Moribond3:22
- 10.La Valse à mille temps4:44
- 11.Je ne sais pas3:09
J’arrive1968
- 1.J’arrive4:47
- 2.Vesoul3:09
- 3.L’Ostendaise4:50
- 4.Je suis un soir d’été4:11
- 5.Regarde bien, petit4:40
- 6.Comment tuer l’amant de sa femme quand on a été élevé comme moi dans la tradition2:41
- 7.L’Éclusier4:21
- 8.Un enfant3:45
- 9.La Bière3:12
Les Prénoms1968
- 1.Mathilde2:37
- 2.La Fanette4:04
- 3.Jef3:35
- 4.Titine2:25
- 5.Rosa2:40
- 6.Jacky3:25
- 7.Fernand5:14
- 8.Zangra3:17
- 9.Madeleine2:39
Enregistrement public1967
- 1.Amsterdam2:55
- 2.Les Timides3:45
- 3.Le Dernier Repas3:30
- 4.Les Jardins du casino3:15
- 5.Les Vieux4:10
- 6.Les Bonbons3:29
- 7.Au suivant3:06
- 8.La Fanette4:04
- 9.Les Bigotes2:40
- 10.Les Filles et les Chiens2:55
- 11.Les Fenêtres2:46
671967
- 1.Mon enfance5:40
- 2.Le Cheval3:10
- 3.Mon père disait3:07
- 4.La la la4:10
- 5.Les Cœurs tendres3:32
- 6.Fils de…3:51
- 7.Les Bonbons 673:00
- 8.La Chanson des vieux amants4:31
- 9.À jeun3:38
- 10.Le Gaz2:53
Ces gens‐là1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Les Bonbons1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Ces gens-là1965
Tracklist not collected yet.
Jacques Brel1965
Tracklist not collected yet.
Mathilde1964
Tracklist not collected yet.
Les Bigotes1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
N°6 : Les Bourgeois1962
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Les Bourgeois1962
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N°5 : Marieke1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
N°4 : La Valse à mille temps1959
Tracklist not collected yet.
N°3 : Au printemps1958
Tracklist not collected yet.
N°2 : Quand on n’a que l’amour1957
Tracklist not collected yet.
N°1 : Jacques Brel et ses Chansons1954
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Barclay
- Record label
- Philips Records
- Record label
- Universal Music Group
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Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Brel, Jacques Romain G. Brel, Jacques Romain Georges Brel, ז׳אק ברל
Jacques Romain Georges Brel was a Belgian singer and actor who composed and performed theatrical songs. He generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, but later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson.
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