Last night, long after midnight, listening to the endless drone of the rain, chilled with a deeply penetrating melancholy......
...... I'm sipping my second cup of tea and sifting through old recordings of half-remembered songs. Trying to resurrect old memories - - perhaps trying to expunge recent ones.
I found this video which I made a few years ago. It's perfect for a rainy night.
Marlene Dietrich singing Bitte Geh Nicht Fort (Please Don't Go).
The song was written by Jacques Brel and was originally called Ne Me Quitte Pas (Don't Leave Me).
I posted this video on my blog about two years ago but thought it is worthy of posting again.
Blame it on my melancholic mood.
Video best viewed full-screen
This may well be my favorite of your videos, Jon. Melancholy or not, at least you FEEL. Call me judgmental, but I'm highly suspicious of those who seem immune, both to exhilaration and agony.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite videos, too, Myra. I didn't initially plan for it to represent a rainy night, but I found a lot of great black and white "rainy" photos - so it all came nicely together.
DeleteSome people suppress their emotions and others - unfortunately - don't seem to have any. Both my parents were emotional (but in different ways).
I have always been extremely sensitive and emotional - probably due to my "artistic" nature (???) and also due to my turbulent, chaotic, and often unhappy life.
i love Jacques Brel. this is one of my favorite songs. beautiful, haunting.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about Jacques Brel until I heard this song and did some research. He was very talented and died much too young.
DeleteIf you go away, if you go away ..... aw yes. Still a favourite. Nobody could sing this like Marlene Dietrich. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI agree that nobody could sing it like Dietrich. She conveyed so much emotion.
DeleteNot at all surprised that the magnificent Dietrich delivers such an emotional punch! Not at all necessary to know the English translation - the delivery conveys it all. When I'm in a certain mood, this is one of my favorites by Aznavour, along with his "Yesterday When I Was Young" Btw, I wonder how many people today know who Jacques Brel is?
ReplyDeleteI admittedly never knew about Jacques Brel until I heard Dietrich sing this song. I was curious about the composer and did some research. It's a shame that he died so young.
DeleteI like Aznavour, but haven't heard him sing this song.
That is such a sad song that the mood comes through in any language.
ReplyDeleteShe was such a woman of mystery.
I was never particularly fond of Dietrich as an actress, but she was a dynamic cabaret entertainer and sang with such emotion. She was indeed fascinating and mysterious.
DeleteSomehow, I managed to accidentally delete my first reply to you. It just vanished before my eyes.....
Jon, you somehow managed to bring a tear to my eye - damn you :-)
DeleteShe was one of those special artists that we will never see again. I mean, even Quentin Crisp praised her to the heavens and beyond! And he rarely praised anyone or anything.
Anyway, thanking you for a much bittersweet post:
It reminds me of my lost forever youth...
Dylan, this video always brings a tear to my eye, too. Dietrich could convey emotions in her songs like no one else - and in many of her photos I can see a wistful sadness in her eyes. I didn't know that Quentin Crisp praised her. As you said - he rarely praised anyone.
DeleteI very often lament the loss of my youth.....
Jon, your clip is beautiful and moving. I remember this song sung in English and French back in the late '60s --Dusty Springfield, I think. Then saw the original performed by Brel in a scene from the "...Alive and Well..." film which PBS aired 10 years later. Brel's songs (the sad, reflective, silly, joyous and hilarious} have never left me. The melodies return in repertoires and languages of other artists. His influence will never end.
ReplyDeleteI've never yet heard this song in English, Geo, but it's absolutely beautiful in French and German. I only discovered the incredible life and talents of Brel quite recently and I'm looking forward to learning more.
DeleteI hope those California winds and storms have finally subsided!