Jacques Brel - Ne Me Quitte Pas - 1961 • TopPop

Today is the 40th anniversary of Jacques Brel’s death, on 9 October, 1978. That’s why we publish today one of his best know songs ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’. Considered by some as “Brel’s ultimate classic“, it was written after Brel’s mistress “Zizou“ (Suzanne Gabriello) threw him out of her life. ’Ne Me Quitte Pas’ has been recorded by many international artists over the years. A well-known adaptation, with English lyrics by Rod McKuen, is “If You Go Away“. Romain Georges Brel (8 April 1929 – 9 October 1978) was a Belgian singer, songwriter, poet, actor and film director who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that generated a large, devoted following—initially in Belgium and France, later throughout the world. He is considered a master of the modern chanson. Although he recorded most of his songs in French and occasionally in Dutch, he became an influence on English-speaking songwriters and performers. English translat