Amsterdam
Jacques Brel, François Rauber, The Orchestra
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Dans le port d’Amsterdam Y a des marins qui chantent Les rêves qui les hantent Au large d’Amsterdam Dans le port d’Amsterdam Y a des marins qui dorment Comme des oriflammes Le long des berges mornes Dans le port d’Amsterdam Y a des marins qui meurent Pleins de bière et de drames Aux premières lueurs Mais dans le port d’Amsterdam Y a des marins qui naissent Dans la chaleur épaisse Des langueurs océanes Dans le port d’Amsterdam Y a des marins qui mangent Sur des nappes trop blanches Des poissons ruisselants Ils vous montrent des dents A croquer la fortune A décroiser la lune A bouffer des haubans Et ça sent la morue Jusque dans le cœur des frites Que leurs grosses mains invitent A revenir en plus Puis se lèvent en riant Dans un bruit de tempête Referment leur braguette Et sortent en rotant Dans le port d’Amsterdam Y a des marins qui dansent En se frottant la panse Sur la panse des femmes Et ils tournent et ils dansent Comme des soleils crachés Dans le son déchiré D’un accordéon rance Ils se tordent le cou Pour mieux s’entendre rire Jusqu’à ce que tout à coup L’accordéon expire Alors le geste grave Alors le regard fier Ils ramènent leur batave Jusqu’en pleine lumière Dans le port d’Amsterdam Y a des marins qui boivent Et qui boivent et reboivent Et qui reboivent encore Ils boivent à la santé Des putains d’Amsterdam De Hambourg ou d’ailleurs Enfin ils boivent aux dames Qui leur donnent leur joli corps Qui leur donnent leur vertu Pour une pièce en or Et quand ils ont bien bu Se plantent le nez au ciel Se mouchent dans les étoiles Et ils pissent comme je pleure Sur les femmes infidèles Dans le port d’Amsterdam Dans le port d’Amsterdam.
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Written by: Jacques Brel
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist BackgroundBelgian-born Jacques Brel is globally renowned for his distinctive storytelling ability in his songs. With "Amsterdam," he solidified his reputation as one of the best Chanson singers (a genre often likened to lyrical narrative French song).
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LanguageDespite the fact that Jacques Brel was Belgian, he primarily wrote and performed songs in French. "Amsterdam" is no exception - the song is entirely in French, known for its intense and emotionally charged lyrics.
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Release HistoryThe song 'Amsterdam' was included in the album 'Enregistrement Public à l'Olympia 1964' which was released in 1964. It was recorded at a live concert performed at the Olympia music hall in Paris.
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Song ThemeThe song is a passionate portrayal of Amsterdam's sailors' life. It has a raw and gritty tone. Brel vividly describes the sailors' hard labour, their indulgence in the pleasures and vices of the harbour-side city, and the melancholy hidden beneath.
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Cover VersionsThere have been numerous cover versions of "Amsterdam." Perhaps most famously, David Bowie covered the song for his album, "Pin Ups." Other artists that have covered the song include Scott Walker, John Denver, and Madeleine Peyroux.
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Recognition"Amsterdam" has often been hailed as one of Jacques Brel's most powerful songs. It has contributed significantly to his legacy and is frequently performed by many artists across the globe as a tribute to his intense emotional style.
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LyricsThe complex and poetic lyrics of "Amsterdam" are one of its defining characteristics. In typical Brel fashion, the song employs vivid and tragic imagery to portray the life of a sailor.
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Musical CompositionThe song starts slowly, almost like a folk song, and steadily builds towards a powerful climax, with Brel pouring in more and more emotion as the track progresses. At the peak of the song, Brel would often appear out of breath in live performances, a testament to the passion and energy he brought to each rendition of "Amsterdam".
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Music VideoThe music video of 'Amsterdam' shows the intensity of Jacques Brel's performance. His facial expressions and physical gestures while singing adds to the overall dramatic effect of the song.
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LegacyThe song 'Amsterdam' helped to establish Jacques Brel's international fame. Even after more than half a century since its release, the song's storytelling, performance style, and intense lyrics remain influential in the music industry.
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Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
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"Amsterdam Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27009968/Jacques+Brel/Amsterdam>.
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