Lyrics

"Amsterdam"

In the port of Amsterdam, there's a sailor who sings
Of the dreams that he brings, from the wide ope...

Biography

Singer/songwriter Jacques Brel created and performed a catalog of literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs that brought him a large, devoted following in France. His audience eventually extended internationally, making him a major influence on English-speaking writers and performers including Leonard Cohen and David Bowie, while translations of his songs were recorded by a wide range of performers from the Kingston Trio to Frank Sinatra. Born in Brussels, Belgium, on April 8, 1929, Brel was the son of %Romain Brel, who worked in an import-export firm, but later became co-director of a company that manufactured cardboard cartons, and %Elisabeth (Lambertine) Brel. He began playing the guitar at the age of 15.

Discography