“Jef” by Jacques Brel, who is not alone

This winter break, we explore love – all forms of love. Today, this special bond – but not always lasting – which unites friends.

“Come on Jef, you’re not alone.” This is where this almost proverbial expression comes from, which we often hear in everyday conversation – both in the first and second degree. Since 1967, Jacques Brel has been trying to lift up – morally as well as physically – this one hundred kilo Jef who collapsed on a sidewalk.

And more than this Jef who sobs and is a little ashamed, it is his friend who fascinates us, even if we know that they must not be very chic people. Moreover, songs about friendship – real friendship – often emphasize the fact that it is not most easily found in the most socially respectable circles. Here are two hymns to group friendship, the first by Pierre Louki in 1959, a song that Brassens cited as the best ever written on this theme, until he himself, five years later, wrote another.

In this episode of These party songsyou hear excerpts from:

Jacques Brel, I f, 1967

Pierre Louki, My friends, 1959

Georges Brassens, Friends first, 1964

Jacques Brel, I f, 1967

Jacques Brel, To see a friend cry, 1977

Jacques Brel, I f, 1967

Hiripsime, You remember me, 2007

Maxime Le Forestier, Friends, 1976

Constance Verluca, You are ugly, 2007

Alonzo and Soprano, My family, 2017

Jacques Brel, I f, 1967

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And you can also find the podcast on this link Behind our voices, with the writing and composition secrets of eight major artists of the French scene, Laurent Voulzy, Julien Clerc, Bénabar, Dominique A, Carla Bruni, Emily Loizeau, Juliette and Gaëtan Roussel.