If You Go Away

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"If You Go Away" is a song in English based upon the French song "Ne Me Quitte Pas", written by Jacques Brel. The English lyrics were written by Rod McKuen as part of a larger project to translate Brel's work. "If You Go Away" is considered a pop standard and has been recorded by many artists, including Greta Keller, for whom some say McKuen wrote the lyrics [1]. Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones, Emilíana Torrini, Neil Diamond, Scott Walker and Dusty Springfield have also recorded versions of it, with several of the numerous versions becoming hits and achieving success on the charts.

[edit] Lyrics

Basically a sad but hopeful song, the lyrics are told from the perspective of someone telling their lover how much they'd be missed if they left. This is described in vivid, hyperbolic terms, such as "there'll be nothing left in the world to trust". If the lover stays, the narrator promises them both devotion and good times ("I'll make you a day / Like no day has been, or will be again"). Some lines hint that the narrator is speaking to the lover as they already are leaving, or considering doing so ("Can I tell you now, as you turn to go..."). The lines "If you go, as I know you will" and later "...as I know you must" suggest that despite the narrator's protests, the lover's leaving is inevitable.

[edit] Versions

  • Singer Shirley Bassey, known for her theme songs for the James Bond movie series, released a version as a single in 1967, which also appeared on the album And We Were Lovers. McKuen was very fond of Bassey's version and wrote to her saying he enjoyed it and thanking her.
  • Lana Cantrell did a version in 1967 for her album And Then There Was Lana. While mainly in English, this version retains one line of the original French: "Ne me quitte pas."
  • In 1967, singer Dusty Springfield included a version on her album The Look of Love. When Dusty's life story was turned into a musical in 2000, "If You Go Away" was chosen for the climax of the show. The stage Dusty was portrayed by singer/actress Mari Wilson.
  • Tom Jones sang a version for his 1968 Decca hit album Help Yourself. Jones' version was not a single.
  • Country/pop singer Brenda Lee recorded a version in Nashville in 1968. It appears on her album Johnny One Time.
  • Neil Diamond included a version on his 1971 album Stones. In 2002, it was also included on Diamond's compilation album Love Songs.
  • Sugiman Jahuri, a Singapore Malay Crooner recorded a version in the early 70s.
  • In 1974, Canadian musician Terry Jacks, after a suggestion by Brel, recorded a version of "If You Go Away" which was released as a single. Jacks had his biggest hit with another Brel cover, Seasons in the Sun.
  • Former Soft Cell singer Marc Almond covered the song during his solo career, on Jaques, an album of Jaques Brel covers. He also performed the track live several times, perhaps most memorably at a Royal Albert Hall performance on the live album Twelve Years of Tears in a very emotional rendition, with Almond sounding close to tears himself by the climax of the song.
  • Eartha Kitt has also recorded a live version of "If you go away" and includes this song as part of her set when touring.
  • In 2000, English group Moloko remixed and reworked Shirley Bassey's version. The new track was released on Bassey's The Remix Album... Diamonds Are Forever and was properly titled the "DJ Skymoo mix". DJ Skymoo is a pseudonym for Moloko's Mark Brydon.
  • Cyndi Lauper's 2003 standards album At Last includes her version of the song. It was not released as one of the album's singles. The album, however, was a hit, with more than 4 million copies sold.
  • Vietnamese singer Tran Thai Hoa sang the English version of the song in the 81st Paris by Night program.
  • Ted Miller covers If You Go Away in his album Intoxicating Love (2007). Many have praised this as one of the most beautiful renditions of this timeless classic.
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