"6. Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks – “We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.” It’s not quite Bob Dylan or Paul Simon, is it? What makes this song so classically tragic was its supposed back story. Allegedly, Jacks, a Canadian was dying of cancer, and this was his sadly penned farewell. I’m happy to say he’s alive and well, but sadly, his song lives on."
Whereas, in fact, Jacques Brel wrote the song (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons_in_the_Sun), a blot on an otherwise incredible songwriting career. (To be fair to Brel, I should note that the lyrics were written by Rod McKuen.)
As a former Disco Dolly and a lover of all things seventies, I found the smug and condescending tone of the article well nigh unendurable. Every era produces its share of clunkers and it's hard to argue with the choices he lists for worst songs, but the writer seems to think the seventies were the only time bad music was being produced. Dude, have you listened to the Top 40 lately?
Deb, you are so right. I remember Steve Allen reading the lyrics of songs like "Bony Maroney" and insulting rock & roll - granted, this was before COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL - as compared with great lyrics of his younger days, like "Mairzy Doats."
Jeff-I used to watch Steve Allen regularly and I remember him doing this. I also remember when he had on a 1 man band who was pre Mothers of Invention Frank Zappa.
A lot of great music came out of the 70's. Springsteen, Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, The Clash, Neil Young, Rolling Stone, Van Morrison, Dylan, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty are all among those who produced great music in the 70's. There are many more I didn't name here.
The Kingston Trio's (better) version of "Seasons in the Sun" preceded Terry Jacks' by several years. I'm surprised this priss didn't pick on "The Night Chicago Died" and "The Streak" too. I'd rather listen to "Kung Fu Fighting" anytime than the insipid 2016 stuff by Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth, and Adele that plays on endless rotation on the local Clear Channel mix station.
About that Steve Allan thing, I once listen to a self-proclaim snob (I would admit to snobbery about as fast as I would bestiality) talk about how horrible the Beatles were and therefor all rock and roll. He had a clip of Peter Sellers reading "A Hard Days Night" in a Shakespearean accent. This proved how horrible the Beatles were.
Years later, I did a google search. Turns out that was part of a tribute to the Beatles that the BBC put on. Sellers was friends with them. (They did drugs together!)
Personally, I sort of thought they might have mentioned Melanie's "Brand New Key." Not because I think it's a bad song, but a lot of people do. I think it's possibly the most suggestive hit song ever...
11 comments:
"6. Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks – “We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun.” It’s not quite Bob Dylan or Paul Simon, is it? What makes this song so classically tragic was its supposed back story. Allegedly, Jacks, a Canadian was dying of cancer, and this was his sadly penned farewell. I’m happy to say he’s alive and well, but sadly, his song lives on."
Whereas, in fact, Jacques Brel wrote the song (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons_in_the_Sun), a blot on an otherwise incredible songwriting career. (To be fair to Brel, I should note that the lyrics were written by Rod McKuen.)
As a former Disco Dolly and a lover of all things seventies, I found the smug and condescending tone of the article well nigh unendurable. Every era produces its share of clunkers and it's hard to argue with the choices he lists for worst songs, but the writer seems to think the seventies were the only time bad music was being produced. Dude, have you listened to the Top 40 lately?
I love the '70s, too, but not all the music. Some of it, though, isn't bad at all.
Deb, you are so right. I remember Steve Allen reading the lyrics of songs like "Bony Maroney" and insulting rock & roll - granted, this was before COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL - as compared with great lyrics of his younger days, like "Mairzy Doats."
Jeff-I used to watch Steve Allen regularly and I remember him doing this. I also remember when he had on a 1 man band who was pre Mothers of Invention Frank Zappa.
A lot of great music came out of the 70's. Springsteen, Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, The Clash, Neil Young, Rolling Stone, Van Morrison, Dylan, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty are all among those who produced great music in the 70's. There are many more I didn't name here.
The Kingston Trio's (better) version of "Seasons in the Sun" preceded Terry Jacks' by several years. I'm surprised this priss didn't pick on "The Night Chicago Died" and "The Streak" too. I'd rather listen to "Kung Fu Fighting" anytime than the insipid 2016 stuff by Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth, and Adele that plays on endless rotation on the local Clear Channel mix station.
Me, too, Fred.
About that Steve Allan thing, I once listen to a self-proclaim snob (I would admit to snobbery about as fast as I would bestiality) talk about how horrible the Beatles were and therefor all rock and roll. He had a clip of Peter Sellers reading "A Hard Days Night" in a Shakespearean accent. This proved how horrible the Beatles were.
Years later, I did a google search. Turns out that was part of a tribute to the Beatles that the BBC put on. Sellers was friends with them. (They did drugs together!)
Here we go again. No respect for Afternoon Delight. This is bogus. It's a fine song and the singers are very talented, especially Margo Chapman.
Personally, I sort of thought they might have mentioned Melanie's "Brand New Key." Not because I think it's a bad song, but a lot of people do. I think it's possibly the most suggestive hit song ever...
I love it. And I agree.
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